The Western Route Capacity – Back to the Future

When: 15th April 2026, 18:00 (to start 18:30) - 20:00, Online 18:30 - 20:00

Where: Station Approach, City Centre, Reading RG1 1LZ and Online

Speakers: Howard Pack (Retired) formerly of Howard Pack Consulting and of Corus Rail Consulting & Tata Steel Projects.

Have you ever looked at a major transport infrastructure project and though “How did they do this” or even “Why on earth did they do that”?

Fortunately, the Thames Valley Group are delighted to have secured a presentation from Howard Pack who has decades of experience conceptualising, planning and designing major projects ranging from re-opening railways in Egypt, a new mineral terminal in KSA, the conceptual design of a rail-freight terminal for the Port of Liverpool in the UK, and Railway Logistics Planning for a heavy-haul freight operation in Finland.

Focusing closer to home on “Western Route Capacity – Back to the Future”, In his talk, Howard will give his personal view about work done in 2016 to understand how the passenger and freight traffic forecasts from 2015 to 2043 could be reconciled with the existing infrastructure and the new passenger rolling stock. The complex study involved modelling and identifying the time period break points at which new infrastructure or rolling stock would be needed and the physical locations and interventions. Howard will make this understandable by outlining designs for grade separated junctions, remodelling Paddington and the Didcot to Oxford corridor; and even using double-decker trains to maximise train capacity and obviate building new lines.

While external events such as Brexit, Covid and financial crises subsequently downgraded forecasts for growth in passenger numbers and indeed changed the pattern of travel, as growth resumes the limits of the existing railway will be tested and solutions sought. Come and join the debate and get insights into understanding how to move large numbers of people and goods on a main line railway.

This is a real education opportunity in an open, professional environment that everyone, from students to experienced professionals, will learn from.

As usual with Thames Valley Group events, attendees are warmly invited to continue the evening after the formal presentation and debate with wide ranging discussion and professional networking in the Three Guineas.

Booking for Members FREE & Non-Members - £5.00 inc VAT

Note: If you are not a current Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, please be aware our membership team may be in touch with you using your email address provided regards membership opportunities. If you do not wish to be contacted please email and let us know at [email protected]

Competencies:

• TP1.1 Transport Infrastructure and Network Resilience
• EQ1.2 Project Management