Caring for Railway Heritage Network Rail/Railway Heritage Trust (RECORDING)

This is a recording of a talk called Caring for Railway Heritage Network Rail/Railway Heritage Trust recorded on 25th May 2021.

Our railways are one of the Victorian’s greatest contributions to the modern UK. Today, Network Rail owns and manages some 17,000 various buildings and structures – many of significant historic and architectural importance. Of these a staggering 1,650 are listed, with the age of some assets spanning almost 200 years. How can we ensure that this amazing legacy co-exists with the demands of a modern rail network? This is a rare and exciting opportunity to put your questions to key figures responsible for protecting our railway heritage.

The Victorian Society is delighted to host Frank Anatole, Network Rail’s Principal Architect and Andy Savage MBE, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, for an illustrated discussion of the new, jointly developed, Heritage: Development and Care Design Manual. This is one of a series of new design guidance standards which seek to improve the design quality and husbandry of the UK’s railways. The talk will explore: the new Manual’s main points, Network Rail’s historic environment policy, the legislative framework, maintenance and protection of the historic estate’s unique qualities, and examples of the advice on how best to maintain the operational functionality and cultural importance of the structures.

Network Rail owns, operates and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure. 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. It also manages 20 of the UK's largest stations.The Railway Heritage Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee, mainly sponsored by, but independent of Network Rail. It awards grants for Network Rail's heritage assets, both listed and in Conservation Areas, to improve heritage features, and to bring disused assets back into use. It also gives advice on the management of these assets if requested.

Frank Anatole RIBA FRSA is Principal Architect at Network Rail. As an experienced Design Director, with almost 30 years’ of public and private sector experience in transport, Frank has been closely involved in a number of high-profile, celebrated infrastructure projects, from major TGV stations in France to St Pancras Station, the London Eye, London Bridge Station and Crossrail. He is a champion of good design in transport and the public realm. Frank is an RIBA Chartered Member and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Andy Savage is the Executive Director of the Trust, which he joined at the start of 2010. Prior to that he was Deputy Chief Inspector of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch of the Department for Transport, following a long career in railway civil engineering and, more recently, contractor safety. Andy has a long involvement in railway heritage, and in the building aspects of it, with a particular involvement in the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Andy was awarded an MBE in 2021 New Year’s Honours list for services to the rail industry and heritage.

Image: Wemyss Bay railway station concourse 2018-08-25 Photo by User:Colin CC BY-SA 4.0

After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.

This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.

The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider​.