Inspirational projects that strengthen the connection between railways and local communities were celebrated at the Community Rail Awards in Newcastle. The event honoured initiatives promoting sustainable travel, station enhancements, and youth engagement. A record 510 guests, including transport leaders and volunteers, gathered at the Civic Centre for the awards, now in its 20th year. Organised by the Community Rail Network with Lumo as headline partner, the ceremony also marked 200 years since the birth of modern railways. Over two decades, judges have reviewed 4,500 entries highlighting community rail’s positive impact.
The projects aim to enrich lives, enhance local places, and promote sustainable and inclusive travel and mobility. This year 20 winners were recognised, chosen from 227 entries.
The Outstanding Contribution to Community Rail Award was awarded jointly to Kent Community Rail Partnership, for their contribution over 22-years, and Greening Arundel, for improvements to the West Sussex station.
Bill Freeman, interim chief executive, Community Rail Network, said: “Our Community Rail Awards give deserved recognition to community rail partnerships, groups and volunteers across Britain and now beyond.
“This year’s ceremony in Newcastle saw 510 guests from across the community rail movement and transport sector celebrating community rail’s role building stronger, fairer, greener communities, served and connected by their railways and wider sustainable transport network.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to be able to celebrate two decades of recognising the outstanding work of community rail, especially during this special Railway 200 year.
“Our congratulations go to all our winners, and thanks to everyone who supports and champions community rail across the rail and transport field, helping the movement to go from strength to strength.”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, added: “As a North East based train company that’s proud of our region’s rich railway and industrial heritage and is actively playing a key role in the future of the railways, we’re incredibly proud to sponsor and celebrate the Community Rail Awards in their twentieth year.
“This is especially fitting, as Lumo is based in Newcastle on the site of the former Stephenson locomotive works where the first railway locos were built, and our trains pass through Darlington where the first passenger railway opened in 1825.
“We are committed to helping keep the region at the forefront of great value and sustainable rail travel through creating a cleaner, greener future for the communities and customers we serve, so it’s a real moment of pride to celebrate everyone taking part in the 2025 Community Rail Awards and especially well done to all the fantastic winners.”
DETAILS OF WINNERS BELOW
The Outstanding Contribution to Community Rail Award was awarded jointly to:
- Kent Community Rail Partnership in recognition of their inspirational initiatives, meeting the needs of the wider community and delivering incredible benefits over the past 22 years including:
o Collaborating with diverse groups to ensure the railways are accessible to all and supporting them to overcome barriers
o Empowering students with additional needs to bring improvements to local station environments through biodiversity and gardening projects, as well as vibrant artwork;
o Transforming Hollingbourne Station into a thriving community hub;
o Improving signposting for onward public transport
o Partnering with Favesham Festival of Transport, Maidstone CycleFest and other local organisations to engage with the public about rail safety, days out by rail and volunteering opportunities;
- Greening Arundel is a passionate alliance of individuals and organisations dedicated to driving environmental change in Arundel. They believe in the power of collective action and community engagement to create a more sustainable, greener town for all. In just two years, the volunteers have transformed the station and its environs to create a safer, more welcoming space which encourages biodiversity, active travel and community engagement.
The Community Rail Awards recognise the crucial, often unsung work of community rail partnerships, station friends and other community rail groups, which continue to grow in number and impact, under Community Rail Network’s umbrella.
There are now 76 Community Rail Projects and an estimated 1,300 station groups spread across Britain (and now a few beyond too).
Details of all winners are listed below.
The night’s winners across all categories were:
- Community Rail Network Award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Rail sponsored by Govia Thameslink Railway
Kent Community Rail Partnership and Greening Arundel
- Board’s Special Recognition Award
Brian Barnsley
- Outstanding Volunteer Contribution sponsored by Cross Country
Jaymii Claxton of Bulwell Station
- Involving Children and Young People sponsored by London North Eastern Railway
Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership
- Empowering Diverse Groups sponsored by East Midlands Railway
Community Rail Cumbria, West House, Carlisle Day Services and Allerdale & Copeland Day Opportunities for Beyond the Home
- Community Creative Projects and Station Arts sponsored by Avanti West Coast
Large groups:
Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, Cumbrian Coast Community Rail Partnership and Queer Cumbria for Queer Rail Art Trail
Medium groups:
Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership and Shildon Station Adoption Group for Shildon Smart Art
Small groups:
Co-Creative Connection for Celebrating Diversity and Unity through a Community Mural at Finsbury Park Station
- Small Projects Award (under £500) sponsored by Great Western Railway
Friends of Bishopstone Station CIC for History Weekend
- Most Effective Communications Campaign sponsored by West Midlands Trains
Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership for Black History Month Every Month
- Best Community Engagement Project sponsored by Freightliner
Friends of Blair Atholl Station for Sharing Our Past, Building Our Future
- Tourism & Leisure Award sponsored by TransPennine Express
Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership for Explore the Bishop Line by Train this Summer
- Influencing Positive Change and Sustainabilitysponsored by Northern
Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership for Youth Travel Toolkit
- Most Enhanced Railway Spaces sponsored by Greater Anglia
Severnside Community Rail Partnership for Mike Hodge Community Room at Bridgwater Station
- It’s Your Station sponsored by Merseyrail
Lead Bronze – Habrough Station Adopters
Lead Silver – Friends of Bishopstone Station CIC
Lead Gold – Coöperatie Staionspark Deurne
Lead Platinum – Friends of Buxton Station
- Photo Competition | capturing the essence of community rail sponsored by Porterbrook
Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company for Settle-Carlisle Calendar Girls