Corporate Membership
Our Corporate Memberships have been designed specifically for organisations and groups actively involved in preserving and operating heritage rail.
From the largest tourist railways, through to groups restoring or preserving a single carriage or wagon, Corporate Membership of the Heritage Railway Association gives you full access to the latest information, guidance and best practice that your organisation needs.
As a Corporate Member, you get unlimited access to the HRA’s extensive document library featuring guidance notes on everything from boiler maintenance to organisational governance and from track maintenance to managing school visits. It’s the most extensive set of resources available to heritage rail and considered an essential asset by most in the sector.
Corporate Members get access to the best advice from the HRA’s committees and experts. Our bespoke services for members include advice on fundraising, business matters such insurance and HR, technical support on issues such as the environment and maintenance standards, influencing and collaborating with local and national government and even advice on mediation should you need it.
You also get access to the HRA’s bespoke training opportunities, including our hugely popular assessors training and the annual Mutual Improvement Class programme of virtual sessions from some of the leading thinkers in the sector. Plus there’s the HRA’s conference and seminars, which bring together the best speakers and the latest thinking in heritage rail to tackle some of the most important issues of the time.
Corporate Members have exclusive access to enter the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards. They’re the biggest and most prestigious awards in the heritage rail world, the perfect way to celebrate the achievements of your organisation … and of course a brilliant night out!
Corporate Members also have full voting rights at the HRA Annual General Meeting and the chance to get involved with our committees and specialist groups.
All this, and more, is available at attractive membership rates starting at just £62.50 per year, tailored to suit the size of your organisation.
Whether your railway is a few hundred feet in length or 20 miles long with a mainline connection, or whether you’re a museum, rolling stock owner or cliff railway, the Heritage Railway Association is here for you.
Ten Reasons to Join the HRA
Help influence the future of heritage rail.
As the ‘industry voice’, we promote and raise the profile of the industry and speak on behalf of members to government, ministers, the media and other opinion formers on a variety of issues from coal to Covid-19. We represent the views of our members to regulators and collaborate with a range of bodies on your behalf.
Be at the forefront of new standards and guidance with expert support on hand.
The HRA develops and shapes standards and guidance for the industry. We provide training and educational materials, industry stats, technical advice, networking opportunities and publications for our members. There’s always technical support available, no matter what the issue you need to resolve is.
Access expert and sector specific business support and guidance.
The HRA provides members with guidance, help and sign-posting support from a range of advisers. Whether you need guidance following a new policy announcement or are looking for best practice tips to grow your business, we can help. Members can access free support on a wide variety of issues including legal, governance, commercial, property, HR, heritage and financial matters - plus a substantial range of information and practical guidance on dealing with the impacts of Covid-19.
Attend bespoke training and workshops.
HRA members get exclusive access to a range of training events, workshops and online mutual improvement seminars. They keep you up to date with latest developments, insights, and trends, while offering valuable knowledge from industry experts. The programme is regularly refreshed and has recently included sessions on RM3, competency assessment, diversity and inclusion, leadership and governance, financial management, environmental matters and infrastructure maintenance.
Regular opportunities to attend sector-specific events and network.
Everyone likes to do business with people they know and trust. All corporate members are invited to attend our two day-long conferences for members in the spring and autumn, plus other networking events and get-togethers. Our events are the most effective in the sector, bringing together key people to share ideas and experiences.
Help shape relationships with governments.
Nurturing our relationship with governments is an ongoing part of our work. We develop relationships with relevant ministers, MPs, MSs, MSPs and other parliamentarians and provide regular briefings to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail at Westminster. When appropriate, we’ll seek to hold parliamentary receptions for HRA members to meet with Ministers and other parliamentarians.
Celebrate your successes through the HRA Annual Awards
Open exclusively to HRA members and recognising the commitment, skill and dedication given by the thousands of volunteers, staff and supporters who rescue, restore, maintain and operate heritage railway vehicles, infrastructure and artefacts, the awards have become the definitive measure for achievement in UK heritage rail. Plus, the HRA Annual Awards event is traditionally the glitziest gala event of the heritage rail calendar.
Give something back to your volunteers and staff.
The HRA InterRail scheme for operating members open to the public provides valuable additional revenue to your railway or tramway and is a valuable benefit to your staff and volunteers. The scheme provides reciprocal arrangements for complimentary or substantially discounted travel for your staff and volunteers at over 100 participating railways, tramways and museums. It helps colleagues from other heritage railways learn about your railway and gives everyone the chance to pick up new ideas from each other.
Use your knowledge and expertise to help the whole sector.
Make a difference on a big scale, with opportunities for personnel from member organisations to join and contribute to HRA committees. We’re always looking for expertise on relevant issues and topics across business, heritage, legal, employment, training, education, operating and safety.
Keep up to date with news for the heritage rail industry.
The HRA speaks for members in trade, national and tourism publications. We’re the industry spokesman on issues affecting heritage rail and a first point of contact for film and TV companies. We provide regular information and updates direct to members through our monthly ‘HRA Insights’ delivered direct to the inboxes of senior personnel across our membership. We publish sector specific guidance, information papers and news updates in the members section of this website. Plus, our quarterly members magazine ‘HRA News’ (published electronically) gives up-to-date details of the latest legislative issues and other information and happenings of interest to heritage and tourist railways and the railway preservation movement in general.
