The most recent meeting of the UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee took place online at the end of January 2026, as updates were given across several priority workstreams supporting the safe and sustainable operation of heritage tramways.
Key discussions during the session focused on safety management and shared learning following recent ORR/HMRI inspections, with the Committee continuing to develop a common “centre of excellence” approach to addressing sector-wide issues.
There were also updates on the successful progression of the Heritage Railways and Tramways (Voluntary Work) provisions, which have now been incorporated into the Employment Rights Act.
There has also been progress on updated guidance for the operation of horse trams, alongside ongoing technical work on wheel flange standards and early development of a peer audit approach between heritage tramways.
Skills and training was also a major talking point, with plans progressing for a new low-height OLE training facility at the National Tramway Museum, being developed in collaboration with UKTram, which has the aim of supporting heritage and potentially second-generation tramway operators.
The Heritage Tramway Committee is continuing to play a central role in supporting consistency and shared learning across the sector. The meetings have strong engagement from across the heritage sector, and includes regular attendance from operators, the Isle of Man tramways and representative from both the Office of Rail and Road and Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate.
The next meeting of the Committee will be in person on 20th April 2026 in Birmingham.