The rumble of rail industry innovation echoed around the UK this March, as the Rail Forum Rail Industry Technology Roadshow took to the roads. Spanning eight busy days, from the 10th to the 21st March, this one-of-a-kind event brought cutting-edge rail solutions directly to the heart of the industry, thanks to a state-of-the-art trailer, transformed into a mobile exhibition space.

Rail Forum Rail Industry Technology Roadshow 2025

Our sales team was on board for the journey, showcasing our high performance rail materials and manufacturing expertise. Visiting five key rail industry production sites, we had the opportunity to talk to representatives from Hitachi, Alstom, Siemens and Knorr Bremse, along with many visitors seeking to learn more about the latest rail technologies. The 2025 roadshow made stops at the following sites:

10th March – Hitachi – Newton Aycliffe

11th March – Hitachi – Newton Aycliffe

12th March – Hitachi – Doncaster

13th March – Alstom –  Derby

14th March – Alstom – Derby

18th March – Siemens  – Goole

20th March – Knorr Bremse – Melksham

21st March – Knorr Bremse – Melksham

Having exhibited at the roadshow several times, this year’s show was another dynamic and impactful event, providing the opportunity to return to Hitachi Newton Aycliffe and Siemens Goole again, following great success in 2023, and to visit Hitachi Doncaster, Alstom Derby, and Knorr Bremse Melksham for the first time as part of the roadshow.

Each time we have been involved with the Rail Forum Technology Roadshow, we have accessed an unparalleled platform to directly engage with key OEMs across the UK. One of the major benefits of this exhibition format is that it brings our solutions directly to the heart of rail production sites. The unique, on-site exhibition space provided by the Rail Forum trailer allows us to showcase our specialised rail expertise and product offerings in an interactive way, fostering meaningful conversations and building relationships with industry professionals and key decision makers. 

Our past experiences at this roadshow have proven invaluable. Our interactions with industry professionals have consistently expanded our network within the rail sector. Crucially, these connections have translated into lucrative contracts, helping to solidify our position as a trusted partner and supplier to the rail industry.

Valuable interactions

As has been the case with all previous Rail Industry Technology Roadshows we have been involved in, this year’s event proved to be an extremely worthwhile experience. CB Frost & Co Business Development Manager, Daniel Brock, highlighted the benefits of direct interactions with the individuals that work with our products on a daily basis.

“As an SME, the Roadshow offers an excellent platform to showcase our manufacturing capabilities and product range to key players within the Rail industry, including site depots. This fantastic and well-organised event allowed CB Frost to engage with over 550 visitors in just two weeks, enabling direct interaction with key decision-makers and the individuals handling our products daily.”

Sales Co-ordinator, Charlotte Homer spoke of the important benefits of hearing first-hand about the needs and preferences of rail industry OEMs.

“Participating in the Rail Roadshow 2025 was an exceptional experience and a fantastic opportunity for us to broaden our network. Engaging with the dedicated professionals allowed us to showcase our products and capabilities effectively. Hearing firsthand how our products resonate with people and understanding their needs and preferences has been truly enlightening.”

Charlotte also talked about the extended reach that the roadshow provides our brand.

“Additionally, this event provided CB Frost with excellent exposure. Overall, the valuable feedback we received and the wonderful people we met have made this event a resounding success. I eagerly anticipate seeing how these relationships will flourish in the future.”

Attending the roadshow for the first time, having joined the CB Frost team in 2024, Sales Engineer Tom Crosby commented on how taking the exhibition directly to rail production sites has led to important connections. 

“The Roadshow was a fantastic opportunity allowing us direct access to key stakeholders that we would have otherwise found a challenge to connect with. I had the pleasure of attending the show during its residence at Alstom Derby where there were some great conversations with both new and old contacts. 

“Throughout the two days you don’t know who could come through the door, but every conversation had exciting potential to be the start of a successful new partnership. I look forward to seeing the development of the new relationships and projects over the coming months and years.”

Supporting UK rail

With 40 years’ experience of supplying the rail industry, and our relationship with Rogers Corporation, we supply an extensive range of EN45545-2 materials, including BISCO® cellular silicones. With our expert knowledge of high performance materials for rail applications and our manufacturing facilities, we convert our specialist rail materials into a wide range of products, including:

• Die cut gaskets
• Washers
• Tape/strip
• Custom fabrications
• Rubber mouldings
• Sponge and rubber extrusions
• Seat pads
• Machined plastics

To discuss your rail industry needs, or for advice on material selection, call our sales team today on +44 (0)121 773 8494.