Heart of Wales Line CRP Wins Second Place at National Awards Heart of Wales Line CRP has been recognised at the Community Rail Awards 2026, claiming second place in the Tourism and Leisure category.

#heartwalesline #communityrail #communityrailpartnership #communityrailawards #communityrailawards2026 #railway #ukrailscene

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland showing a big room full of people at Derby Arena during the 2026 Community Rail Awards.

Can you believe it’s been a week since the #CommunityRail Awards? 🥳

We hope you've caught up with all the highlights from the night and learnt more about the inspiring 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners 🏆

Visit our Hall of Fame for more! 👉 #CRA26 communityrail.org.uk/hall-of-fame...

Truely deserved @dominic-noades.bsky.social
Thanks for all you do across Kent.
@kentridergaz.bsky.social #CRA26 #CommunityRail

Grassroots rail initiative bringing people together honoured nationally Winners at the 2026 Community Rail Awards!

#Derby we've had a blast!
We're thrilled and very proud winners of the ‘Most Effective Communications Campaign’ award at the 2026 Community Rail Network Awards.
abbeylinecommunityrail.org.uk/news/grassro...
#CRA26 #CommunityRail

Well that’s it, our 2026 awards are over and what an evening it’s been!

Congratulations to all our winners and everyone who entered 👏

It’s because of you that #CommunityRail is the incredible, inspiring movement it is. We couldn't be more proud of everything you do! 💟 #CRA26

And now, on with our final category of the night - another very special award!

Sponsored by Southeastern Railway, this award enables Community Rail Network to recognise a group that has delivered outstanding achievements and contributions to #CommunityRail over the past year 🎊 #CRA26

The Board’s Special Recognition Award goes to Jayne Sumner! As manager of Essex & South Suffolk CRP for 15 years, Jayne has been a shining role model, inspiring everyone around her and working tirelessly to connect communities and champion #CommunityRail 💚 #CRA26

Our penultimate category of the evening is the ‘Board’s Special Recognition Award’.

This award is all about recognising an individual’s exceptional service to, or the championing of, #CommunityRail, especially over a longer time-period.

Who do you think it could be? 🥁 #CRA26

It's Dominic Noades! Since joining Kent CRP as a teenager, Dominic has thrown himself into events, station projects, guided walks and even café shifts with fantastic enthusiasm, growing in confidence and becoming a brilliant advocate for #CommunityRail ❣️ #CRA26

We've seen what amazing contributions all our #CommunityRail volunteers make. The 'Outstanding Volunteer Contribution' award (sponsored by Cross Country) celebrates someone who's been nominated by colleagues for making an outstanding difference. Who do you think it is? 🥰 #CRA26

Now it's time for a familiar favourite - the Photo Competition, sponsored by Porterbrook.

We asked you to submit images that captured the essence of #CommunityRail and you didn't disappoint! A whopping 1,967 public votes were cast as people chose their favourites 📸 #CRA26

Who's ready for the 'Influencing Positive Change & Sustainability' category, sponsored by Northern?

This category highlights how #CommunityRail encourages climate-aware thinking & supports resilient, cohesive communities, leaving a legacy for the next generation 💚 #CRA26

It's time for our ninth category of the night - 'Most Effective Communications Campaign', sponsored by Govia Thameslink Railway.

This category shines a spotlight on creative, standout communications that bring #CommunityRail to life and create lasting impact 🤳 #CRA26

We're halfway through the fabulous #CommunityRail Awards 🎉

Let's dive into the 'Most Enhanced Railway Spaces' category, sponsored by Greater Anglia, which focuses on how #CommunityRail breathes new life into railway spaces, bringing them into the heart of the community. #CRA26

Being inspired by another amazing #CRA26 with the legends that are Richard Salkeld and Vicki Pupe #CommunityRail @communityrail.bsky.social @eastmidsrailway.bsky.social

We know you’re ready for some more winners! 🥳

It’s time to honour the outstanding #CommunityRail initiatives celebrating our railways’ past, enriching the present, and inspiring the future - it's the 'Railway 200 Legacy Award', sponsored by Trip.com 🚂 #CRA26 #Railway200

Taking home the trophy is Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership for 'More Time in Looe'. This unique collaboration between #CommunityRail, railway partners and the tourism sector resulted in improved journey times and a dynamic promotional campaign inspiring thousands to explore the area by rail⛵️ #CRA26

Who's ready for the 'Tourism & Leisure Award', sponsored by TransPennine Express? 🏆

These projects highlight the many ways #CommunityRail inspires sustainable days out, establishes strong partnerships with local attractions and encourages visitors to travel by train 🧳 #CRA26

The Friends of Hindley Station take home Platinum! This group continue to show what’s possible when #CommunityRail is driven by creativity, care and collaboration. This station is a shining example of a place for learning, biodiversity and hands on volunteer activity 💟 #CRA26

Welcome to the #CommunityRail Awards 🎉

We're so excited the big night is here! 🏆

Over 600 of us have come together in Derby tonight to celebrate the inspiring array of community-led innovation that enriches local places and improves people's lives 💜 #CommunityRail #CRA26

Rolling blog. Tonight’s the night… 12:00. Myself and the rest of the Community Rail Network team and our hosts from East Midlands Railway are currently working like Trojans, getting the stage (and bar, and lounge, and everything els…

Today's blog. tonight's the night. we're prepping for the 2026 Community Rail awards in #Derby. paulbigland.blog/2026/03/19/r... #railways #CommunityRail

Get ready Derby, it's the day we've all been waiting for - the #CommunityRail Awards! 🥳

We're making our final preparations and looking forward to an evening of celebration.

Revisit our fabulous shortlist to get yourself in the party mood ✨ #CRA26 communityrail.org.uk/shortlist-an...

Starting my journey to @communityrail.bsky.social #CRA26 and good to see the next stage of the #Chesterfield #CommunityRail station garden underway!
@danielhwright.bsky.social
@eastmidsrailway.bsky.social

There's only 1 day to go until the #CommunityRail Awards, headline partnered by East Midlands Railway 🎉

We can't WAIT for a packed evening of celebration! 🏆

Don't worry if you can't be there - all the winners will be revealed throughout the night on our socials 🏅 #CRA26

White text on a deep blue background that reads: "Community rail can play a unique role in helping Greater Manchester achieve its 'Right Mix' for sustainable travel - by engaging communities, building confidence, and helping people try rail and other greener transport for the first time. - Community Rail Network consultation response, March 2026." Neon green lines and quotation marks surround the text. The Community Rail Network logo can be seen at the bottom, as well as the website link (www.communityrail.org.uk) and email address (info@communityrail.org.uk).

Powered by insights from our members, Community Rail Network has submitted evidence to the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy consultation 🚆

#CommunityRail helps break down barriers to rail and encourages more people to travel sustainably.

Read more: communityrail.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Photo courtesy of Community Rail Lancashire and Avanti West Coast showing an older lady reading from the '100 More Women, 100 More Stories' booklet at a special launch event at Preston Station on International Women's Day in March 2024.

It’s important to celebrate this progress, but there’s still work to do to tackle stereotypes, bias and discrimination.

The good news is #CommunityRail will keep playing its part, working with local communities and our partners across transport to help build a safer, fairer & more connected future.

🚉 Working with transport partners to take a community-first approach to tackling violence against women and girls

📢 Celebrating women’s contributions to our railways and championing diverse voices and ideas

#CommunityRail #InternationalWomensDay

That looks like:

🚺 Listening to women and girls about their experiences of travelling on public transport

🤝 Helping people overcome barriers to travel through train trips, confidence workshops and practical improvements at stations

#CommunityRail #InternationalWomensDay

Photo courtesy of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership that shows a group of people - a mix of CRP staff and Great Western Railway Staff - at a stand at Reading Station on White Ribbon Day in November 2025.

The same is true in transport. Across #CommunityRail, there’s real momentum to create a more inclusive transport system, with our members leading the way, helping people in their communities access opportunities in ways that feel safe, welcoming and sustainable. #InternationalWomensDay

Photo courtesy of Community Rail Lancashire showing a group of women wearing hijab during an Eid event as part of Community Rail Week 2024. The woman at the front is holding a pledge card that reads: "We're connecting communities by rail."

This year’s #InternationalWomensDay theme, ‘Give to Gain’, reminds us that when we give women opportunities, support and recognition, everyone benefits. We gain fresh perspectives, stronger communities, and a more inclusive future.

🧵⬇️ #CommunityRail