The Big Rail Diversity Challenge
19 Sept 2025
Women in Rail and Nimble Media are delighted to announce that team registration is now officially open for the eleventh Big Rail Diversity Challenge.
Set to take place on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at Newark Showground, the event continues to provide a platform that celebrates the power of gender-balanced teams across the UK rail sector.
Since its launch in 2016, The Big Rail Diversity Challenge has become one of the industry’s most anticipated events, attracting stakeholders from all corners of the rail sector. The 2026 edition will build on a decade of success, featuring a selection of returning team-favourite challenges alongside exciting new activities designed to promote the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A unique combination of networking, team building, and purpose-driven competition, the Challenge remains true to Women in Rail’s core message: Gender Diversity: Better for People, Better for Business, Better for Rail.
Marie Daly, Chair of Women in Rail and Chief Operating Officer for Transport for Wales, said, “The Big Rail Diversity Challenge is one of the most exciting and impactful events in our industry calendar. It brings together people from across the rail sector to celebrate teamwork, inclusion, and the strength that comes from diversity. It’s not only a fun and engaging day, but also a powerful reminder that when we work together, embracing our different skills and perspectives, we build a stronger, more innovative rail industry. I would encourage everyone to get involved – it’s an opportunity to make connections, champion change, and be part of a movement that is shaping the future of rail.”
Described as a cross between It’s a Knockout and The Krypton Factor, The Big Rail Diversity Challenge offers an engaging and fun day of physical, mental, and skill-based challenges. Each team of 10 must be gender-diverse, reflecting the event’s mission to highlight the value of inclusive teams in creating a more effective and representative workforce.
Over the past ten years, the event has seen over 5,000 participants take part - a clear demonstration of the sector’s ongoing commitment to supporting diversity in action.
Companies can now secure their place by registering a team or exploring a range of sponsorship opportunities designed to provide visibility, engagement, and support for this industry-wide initiative. Early registration is encouraged due to high demand and the event’s continued record of selling out.
For more information on how to enter a team or support the event, contact Nimble Media:
T: 01780 432930 | E: bigrail@nimblemedia.co.uk | W: www.bigraildiversity.co.uk
You can also follow the latest news and updates via the following social media channels:
Instagram: @bigraildiversitychallenge
Facebook: /bigraildiversity
LinkedIn: The Big Rail Diversity Challenge