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overview
The Australian heavy haul rail industry, boasting some of the heaviest and longest trains, continues to lead the world in operations and innovation. Join industry leaders and decision-makers at the 14th annual Heavy Haul Rail conference on 26-27 March 2025 at the Crown Perth for an exclusive deep dive into cutting-edge projects and strategies.
Bringing together a cross section of major players for quality networking and collaboration, Heavy Haul Rail 2025 will explore challenges, opportunities, and priorities both locally and internationally across the heavy haul industry.
The technical streams return showcasing new ideas and developments in maintenance & asset management, technology & safety to ensure safe, and reliable operations.
Heavy Haul Rail 2025 will be co-located once again with Rail Turnouts and Rail Signalling. Take advantage of our exclusive 20% discount offer to attend both Heavy Haul Rail and either Rail Turnouts or Rail Signalling. Additionally, further discounts are available to those who qualify for the Young Rail Professionals rate. See pricing below for details.
2025 SPEAKERS
Anna Dartnell
Group Executive Bulk, Aurizon
Sally Pfeiffer
First Assistant Secretary, Critical Infrastructure Partnerships and Policy, Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, Department of Home Affairs
Dr Natalie Pelham
Chief Executive, ONRSR
Richard Cohen
Managing Director Port, Rail & Core Services, Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Kari Gonzales
President & CEO, MxV Rail & Chair, International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA)
Karlene Bylund
Executive General Manager Customer and Strategy, Pilbara Ports
Kylie Huth
CEO, voestalpine Railway Systems Australia
Peter Thomas
Regional Senior Vice President, ANZ & SEA, Wabtec
Damien White
Chief Executive Officer, RISSB
Michael Hopkins
Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Commission
Brian Monakali
Chairman, South African Heavy Haul Association, & Director, IHHA
Nathan Speed
Chief Executive Officer, Arc Infrastructure
Damien Harding
Fleet Decarbonisation Strategy, Aurizon
Candis Rhodes
Planning Manager; Supply Chain Service Asset Management, Rio Tinto
Shunturi Govender
Track Maintenance Engineer, BHP
Roger Buckley
Fleet Decarbonisation Manager, Aurizon
Tamara Mahes
General Manager Asset Services- Operations, ARTC, Australian Rail Track Association
Vivek Dhar
Director - Mining and Energy Commodities Research, Commonwealth Bank
Megan McCracken
Chair, Freight and Logistics Council WA
Lily Meneghel
GM Integrated Remote Operations Centre, Roy Hill
Chris Crawford Gray
Rail, Infrastructure & Services Digital Manager, Rio Tinto
Şebnem Kurklu
Chief Information Security Officer, Aurizon
Rajendra Jadhav
Group Vice President – Digital Intelligence, Wabtec
Colin Cole
Director - Centre for Railway Engineering, CQ University
Robert Shaw
Operational Technology Lead, Pacific National
Mark Wood
Chief Technology Officer, 4AI Systems and 4Tel
Simon Gilders
Chief Financial Officer, Arc Infrastructure
Sarah Dearman
Manager of Operational Readiness - Rail, Western Australia Iron Ore, BHP
Charlotte Moss
Superintendent Delivery Rail Systems – Sustaining Capital Rail, Rio Tinto
Martin Quirchmair
USP Section Leader, R&D - Engineering, Getzner Werkstoffe
Mark Green
Managing Director, Speno Rail Maintenance
Anitra Hobby
Risk and Resilience Principal, Pacific National
James Stephens
Manager Locomotive Fleet Performance and Sustainability, Pacific National
Louise Dornan
Manager Rail Network Capacity, BHP
Jens Lind
Head of Locomotives International, Siemens Mobility
Chloe Keep
HSEQ Advisor/Level 2 NDT technician, Speno Rail Maintenance Australia
Tomas Austen
Senior Transport Safety Investigator, ATSB
Bryan Lai
Rail Systems Interface and Integration Manager, DT Infrastructure
Mark Baxter
EGM Engineering & Technology, Downer
Professor Ravi Ravitharan
Director, Monash Institute of Railway Technology
Shreevinder Saxena
Team Leader- Rolling Stock, Monash Institute of Railway Technology
Agenda
Pricing
Acceleration Allies
Informa Australia will be showcasing the organisations who achieve a minimum of 30% female representation at Heavy Haul Rail & Rail Turnouts with special acknowledgements as ‘Acceleration Allies’. This representation will include speakers, delegates, sponsors and delegates. Join the movement to ‘Count her in’ and enjoy special recognition at the event.
Networking Breakfast
Young Rail Professionals Networking Breakfast
Proudly sponsored by Speno Rail Maintenance Australia
When: 7.30am-8.40am on 26 March 2025
Where: Crown Perth
Free and open to all young rail professionals who are registered to attend the Heavy Haul Rail conference.
If you are under 35, join us to meet and network with other young rail professionals at this important and relaxed event. RSVPs are essential. RSVP when registering to attend the Heavy Haul Rail 2025 conference.
Heavy Haul Rail Dinner
27 March 2025 | Crown Perth | 7:00pm – 10:30pm
Come together to celebrate and reflect on the learnings and industry achievements showcased at this exciting event. Commencing with pre-dinner drinks at 6.30pm, the Heavy Haul Rail Conference dinner takes place on the evening of the 27th March at the Crown Perth and includes our guest speaker plus the presentation to our Next Generation Conference Scholarships. Attendees must register to attend the conference as well.
*The dinner is available for sponsorship*
Next Generation Conference Scholarships
Sponsored by Speno
NEW INCREASED ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR 2025!
Do you have an idea that could disrupt, improve or positively impact the future of heavy haul rail in Australia and New Zealand?
We invite all rail sector personnel aged 30yrs and under to submit their innovative idea for the chance to win one of 10 scholarships to attend the Heavy Haul Rail conference and dinner in Perth on 26-27 March 2025.
In 200-300 words describe your idea, concept or hypothetical, outlining benefits or impact on the industry. Your idea may relate to any aspect of the Heavy Haul Rail sector, for example skills and training, asset maintenance, acceleration of decarbonisation, or safety.
WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:
- Complimentary attendance to the Young Rail Professionals Breakfast hosted by our sponsor Speno
- Complimentary attendance to the Two-Day Heavy Haul Rail Conference
- Certificates of acknowledgement – to be presented at the Conference Dinner
KEY DATES:
- Competition open: 24 January 2025
- Competition deadline: 14 February 2025
- Winners announced: 19 February 2025
- Certificates presented at the Conference Dinner: 27 March 2025
Eligibility:
Open to all recent graduates and young railway professionals who are 30yrs or under (as at 26 March 2025). A maximum of 3 winners will be selected from the same organisation.
Entries close 14 February 2025
** A maximum of 3 winners will be selected from the same organisation.**
Australian Heavy Haul Rail Awards
Inaugural Australian Heavy Haul Rail Awards
The Australian heavy haul rail industry, boasting some of the heaviest and longest trains, continues to lead the world in operations and innovation. Building on this momentum of excellence, we are delighted to announce that the Inaugural Australian Heavy Haul Rail Awards will be presented at the Heavy Haul Rail Conference Dinner on March 27, 2025.
The awards aim to identify and recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations shaping the future of heavy haul rail industry, with a focus on leadership, commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability for the advancement of the heavy haul rail industry rail.
Do you work alongside someone new to the industry-an emerging leader who should be recognised for their contributions to the heavy haul rail industry? Do you know someone who has delivered outstanding sustainability outcomes in your organisation? Has someone you know made a key contribution to the heavy haul rail industry that deserves acknowledgement from their peers?
If so, then nominate them for an Inaugural Heavy Haul Rail Award.
*Nominations open 11 December 2024*
This year, we’re accepting nominations in three categories:
- Emerging Leader of the Year
- Excellence in Sustainability
- Industry Champion
KEY DATES
- Nominations open – Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Nominations close – Completed nomination forms will be accepted up to COB Friday, 21 February 2025 - Winners announced – Thursday 27 March 2025
Rail Turnouts + Rail Signalling
Alongside Heavy Haul Rail comes the return of two popular specialist workshops. Both will be held on 25 March 2025, a day prior to Heavy Haul Rail 2025.
Rail Turnouts 2025
An intensive, focused introduction to the fundamental technical knowledge, the Rail Turnouts Workshop will exchange and transfer knowledge from a range of experts working across rail turnouts.
View full information here
Rail Signalling Perth 2025
The Rail Signalling workshop will help to you understand the role, integration and management of signalling systems across Australia.
View full information here.
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
Heavy Haul Rail is Australia’s largest conference developed specifically for the Heavy Haul Rail industry. Attracting key stakeholders and senior decision makers from across the heavy haul, freight and resources sectors, the event offers suppliers, operators, manufacturers and innovators unparalleled networking, knowledge sharing and business development opportunities.
Don’t miss the opportunity to profile your company, share your expertise and showcase your solutions at Heavy Haul Rail 2025!
Please email sarah.ingram@informa.com for a copy of the sponsorship prospectus including delegate profile information, or call +61 406 530 043 to discuss the branding, thought leadership and exhibition opportunities available.
Event Images
Below is a slide show of images from the 2024 Heavy Haul Rail Conference.
To view all images across the two day event, view our Flickr album.
Testimonials
Hear what our 2024 attendees had to say:
“A well-run event that brings customers and suppliers together in an informative and entertaining way. All suppliers of heavy haul railways should ensure they have a presence at this annual event.”
“Great chance to network with others and to learn about new tech and future planning for the industry.”
“Well attended and good cross section of rail industry.”
“Great speakers with a lot of insight that was applicable to my industry, and the people that I work with. A lot of interesting people to meet and connect with. A great venue and well-structured event.”
“Excellent forum for collaboration and showcasing new ideas and developments to the wider rail audience.”
ConnectMe + Streamly
ConnectMe • Networking enhanced
All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.
Streamly • On-Demand video vault
Streamly is a new video platform from Informa Connect – hosting hours of session recordings from our events and more. Select the Streamly add-on at the checkout to receive year round access to exclusive On-Demand session recordings from all of our related transport events*. Login information will be sent post event. For more information visit our Streamly page.
* Note: In a minority of cases, speakers may request their sessions to be excluded from Streamly access.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.
We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.
To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.
Event Code of Conduct
We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.
when & where
26 - 27 Mar 2025
Crown Perth
Great Eastern Hwy,
Burswood WA 6100
Thank you for choosing to stay at Crown Perth for the Heavy Haul Rail, Rail Turnouts & Rail Signalling workshops, below you will find special rates for your stay, all available to book exclusively via the following hotel links:
Crown Towers Perth:
https://reservations.travelclick.com/131392?groupID=4592944
Crown Metropol Perth:
https://reservations.travelclick.com/76836?groupID=4592949
Crown Promenade Perth:
https://reservations.travelclick.com/76838?groupID=4592956
Group Rates are available from Monday 24th March to Thursday 27th March 2025 inclusive Crown Towers Perth (Premium 5 Star)
Rooms starting from $375.00 per night (room only).
Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.
contact
Still have a question?
General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 2 9080 4307
info@informa.com.au
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Sarah Ingram
+61 406 530 043
Sarah.Ingram@informa.com
Speaking Enquiries
Kate Twentyman
Senior Conference Director
Kate.Twentyman@informa.com.au
Marketing & Media Enquiries
Paul O’Connor
Paul.c.Oconnor@informa.com