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Shaping the next 200 years of rail engineering – IMechE Railway Division Chair’s Address
Join the RTSA ACT/NSW Chapter online with the IMechE for this presentation on shaping the next 200 years of rail engineering.
Overview
This keynote address from the Chair of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Railway Division will explore how railways can continue to serve society over the next two centuries, building on their strengths as a low-energy, low-carbon transport mode. Framed as a forward-looking thought piece, the session will consider what form rail systems might take by the year 2225, and what they could deliver to an AI-enabled, climate-challenged world.
The presentation will introduce the concept of “engineering good connections” — not only between cities and regions, but between people, disciplines, and generations of engineers. Drawing on leadership insights from across the global rail sector, the speaker will reflect on how today’s engineers can shape systems that inspire future practitioners, meet evolving passenger and freight needs, and contribute to long-term societal outcomes.
⏰ 6:00-7:00pm AEDT
📆 Tuesday 17th February 2026
🌏 Webinar
Who should attend?
This session is suited to early-career engineers seeking inspiration and a broader understanding of how their skills contribute to long-term infrastructure futures, mid-career professionals interested in strategic, systems-level thinking and leadership perspectives, and anyone curious about the future of transport, sustainability, and engineering impact seeking inspiration. The session is designed to provoke discussion, broaden perspectives beyond day-to-day project delivery, and encourage engineers to think ambitiously about the future of infrastructure.
Learning outcomes
In this presentation, you will:
- reflect on how rail engineering contributes to long-term societal, environmental, and economic outcomes
- understand the strategic challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global rail systems
- broaden your perspective beyond technical delivery to systems thinking, leadership, and legacy
- identify how early-career engineers can play a role in shaping future-focused, sustainable transport solutions.
About the speaker
