In September, FEDECRAIL had the pleasure of participating in the Annual General Meeting of the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), held in Norrköping, Sweden. Our President, Mimmi Mickelsen, was invited to propose the toast at the evening dinner, an opportunity we greatly appreciated. FEDECRAIL was also represented by Per Englund, Chair of our Tram Group, whose participation further strengthened the connections between our tramway heritage community and the modern light rail sector.
The LRTA is a UK-based, not-for-profit organisation with members around the world, dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of tramway, light rail and metro systems. Through its international network and publications, including Tramways & Urban Transit and Tramway Review, the association plays an important role in connecting people, sharing knowledge and following developments across the sector.
This year’s AGM programme, from 17 to 22 September, offered participants an opportunity to experience both modern and historic Swedish tramways. Beginning in Stockholm, the programme included a visit to the Swedish Tramway Museum in Malmköping before continuing to Norrköping, where the AGM took place on 20 September.
For FEDECRAIL, the visit was about much more than attending an annual meeting. It was an opportunity to strengthen the connections between organisations.
We often speak about the importance of preserving our history, but equally important is ensuring that heritage remains connected to the industry from which it originated. The modern tramway sector continues to develop through new technology, digitalisation, infrastructure investment and changing operational requirements. At the same time, heritage tramways preserve generations of technical knowledge, craftsmanship and experience that form part of the foundations of today’s systems.
There is considerable value in bringing these two worlds together.
Understanding where we come from helps us appreciate how the industry has developed, while maintaining relationships with modern operators, suppliers and professional organisations creates opportunities for our heritage sector to continue developing.
The UK Tram Heritage Committee, which is a member of FEDECRAIL, is an excellent example of the dedication and professionalism within our heritage community. Its knowledgeable and committed working group provides a strong voice for heritage tramways, and its work is always impressive. Through our connections with organisations such as the LRTA, we have an opportunity to extend these relationships further, bringing heritage into a wider dialogue with the modern tramway industry.
For us, this is an important part of FEDECRAIL’s role.
We want to encourage cooperation, share knowledge and ensure that the challenges facing our members are understood beyond the heritage sector. Whether these concern technical expertise, maintenance, regulatory requirements or the long-term operation of historic vehicles, there is much to gain from maintaining an open dialogue with the wider industry.
The AGM offered many opportunities for interesting discussions, exchanging experiences and strengthening personal connections. It was also a reminder of how important international networks are, not only for sharing information but for building the trust and relationships that make future cooperation possible.
We would like to extend our warm thanks to Ian Longworth and Paul Rowen for their kind invitation and hospitality. It was a pleasure to join the LRTA in Norrköping, and we greatly appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the evening’s celebrations.
Our heritage tells the story of how tramways developed. By connecting with the modern industry, we can help ensure that this story continues into the future.
By: Mimmi Mickelsen, FEDECRAIL President
