The FEDECRAIL Conference 2020 will take place from 23 to 28 April in the Basque city of Bilbao on the north coast of Spain. Following the six-day main programme, there will be the opportunity to take part in an additional tour through the narrow gauge landscape of northern Spain. Preparations are currently underway for an attractive overall programme which will appeal to delegates and Friends of FEDECRAIL as well as to partners.
Not all the details have been finalized yet so that changes may still be possible. In principle, however, there will be again two business days: the main conference day for delegates and interested persons on Friday (24/04) and the meetings of the working groups and the FEDECRAIL general meeting on Saturday (25/04). Study tours begin on Sunday. Highlights amongst others will be: a visit to the Basque Railway Museum in Azpeitia, a small town outside Bilbao. On the way back there will be a visit to the UNESCO world cultural heritage bridge Puente Bizkaia and two different cable cars that offer magnificent views over Bilbao and the Basque Country.
Furthermore a visit to the Basque capital of Vitoria/Gasteiz including a tram ride is planned followed by the Basque Railway Workshops at Lebario. The group will also be taken by metre gauge train across to San Sebastien/Donostia before crossing into France to Hendaye for an excursion on the rack railway at La Rhune. The rack railway with open carriages climbs up the mountain in a charming landscape breathtaking summit views making the excursion a not-to-be missed experience for all participants. A visit to San Sebastian (alternative to La Rhune) may be possible for those, who want to visit the European Capital of Culture in 2016, but only if there is sufficient interest.
The partners programme always offers alternatives with exploring places, visiting museums (including the Guggenheim Museum) and shopping.
Further information will follow as a newsletter and on this website under “Conferences”.
