The Conservation of Railway Heritage and Identity: Investigating Multi-Scalar Adaptive Reuse Approaches from the UK

Recognised as a subcategory of industrial heritage, railway heritage encompasses interconnected structures, landscapes, technologies, and cultural practices that require holistic conservation approaches. With technological advancements leading many railway elements to become obsolete, these assets increasingly face the risk of abandonment or demolition. However, much existing research concentrates on individual structures rather than the broader railway system shaped through comprehensive planning. This study develops a multi-scalar framework for analysing railway heritage conservation across three levels: technical equipment, site, and line. Case studies from the United Kingdom illustrate how different conservation and adaptive reuse models directly or indirectly contribute to maintaining railway identity. All cases are informed by in-situ field visits and document analysis. The study explores conservation approaches through a comparative analysis of these models, focusing on how adaptive reuse practices reinforce or weaken railway identity across different scales, and assessing their implications for holistic conservation. As the birthplace of railways and a pioneer in railway heritage conservation, the UK offers diverse examples that demonstrate the varying outcomes of conservation practices across different contexts. By emphasising the interrelationship between tangible and intangible components, the study highlights the need for a holistic approach in the conservation of railway heritage.