So You Want to Open a New Railway? – A Campaigner’s Survival Guide

This is the 3rd TVL-RUG Lecture/Talk of 2026, featuring industry leaders talking about topics and issues on the modern railway.
About this Event

Join us for an engaging and insightful talk by Dennis Fancett, Chair of the South East Northumberland Rail User Group (SENRUG), titled “So You Want to Open a New Railway? – A Campaigner’s Survival Guide.”

Drawing on years of hands-on experience, Dennis will take you behind the scenes of the long-running campaign to reopen the Northumberland Line, one of the UK’s most significant recent rail restoration projects. This session offers a rare, practical perspective on what it really takes to turn a grassroots transport campaign into a successful infrastructure project.

From building local support and navigating political processes to overcoming funding challenges and maintaining momentum over many years, Dennis will share the lessons learned—both the victories and the setbacks. Whether you’re an aspiring campaigner, a transport enthusiast, or simply curious about how major rail projects come to life, this talk will provide a compelling and informative “survival guide” for making change happen.

Expect a candid, informative, and inspiring discussion that highlights the persistence, partnerships, and passion required to reopen a railway in the modern era.