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Community Rail News – 10 December 2025

Hello everyone.

It’s hard to believe this is our final formal newsletter of the year, although look out for a special extra Railway 200 edition next week. We’ll also be doing a Railway 200 takeover on social media 15-22 December, reflecting on the extraordinary contribution community rail has made to the 200th anniversary of Britain’s railways. Be sure to engage with our content via your own channels.

It may be the run-up to the festive season, but it is still a busy time for transport news, events and policy. Yesterday the Railways Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons, and we got a first look at the branding for Great British Railways. We continue to work hard to feed into the Department for Transport, DfT Operator and Shadow Great British Railways on the future role of community rail. Today also saw the Transport Select Committee evidence session scrutinising the Railways Bill: catch up here.

We’re continuing work on our new strategy, which will include a strong focus on ensuring the voice of community rail is heard, while empowering members to further develop impact and resilience. We have had productive discussions within our team and board as well as drawing on input from members and partners, and will start to share in the new year the key headlines.

There’s still time for members to register for tomorrow’s webinar on devolution and opportunities for community rail. Sign up to hear from expert speakers on how community rail can engage with regional leaders and shape rail and integrated mobility that meets local needs.

Finally, we’re delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the 2026 Community Rail Awards. Thank you to all who entered, and congratulations to those shortlisted. The judges were thrilled to see such an array of projects supporting stronger, greener, more inclusive communities. Book your place for the event on Thursday 19 March 2026 in Derby, explore the fringe activities on offer, and choose the photo best showcasing ‘the essence of community rail’.

That’s all from us for 2025. From everyone at Community Rail Network, we wish you all the best for the festive season and we can’t wait to see you again in the new year.

Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools

AGM and board news

In case you missed it, our AGM last month saw the publication of our 2024-25 Impact Report and welcomed Faye Keane and Paul Goddard to our board, with Marion Atkinson re-elected. Huge thanks also go to outgoing board members Mick Stone and Roy Chapman for their contributions to Community Rail Network over the years.  

Online networking sessions

  • Tourism Network – join fellow members on Tuesday 16 December, 10-11.30am, to hear highlights from projects that have empowered more people to take the train for greener, healthier journeys. Email Alice to attend.
  • Education Network – this session on Wednesday 17 December, 10-11am, will look back at the past year and ahead to 2026, including topics for future agendas. Email Karen to attend.
  • Networking for community rail officers – wind down for the year in good company on Wednesday 17 December, 2-4pm. There will be opportunities to share highlights from the year and discuss plans for 2026 – with some festive fun sprinkled in. Book your place.

New corporate partner

We’re delighted to welcome CAF Rail Services as our latest corporate partner. Learn more about their organisation and how they’ll be working with community rail over the next three years here.

Gender-based barriers to travel – online session

Save the date for an online session Thursday 22 January 2026, 10-11am, with officers from Heart of England CRP, Southeast Communities Rail Partnership and Oxfordshire CRP sharing insights from their initiatives for White Ribbon Day and addressing gender-based travel barriers. We will share the registration link in the new year.

Send your stories to our Comms team and see our guidance on submitting stories.

Your next bulletin is on 7 January. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X.

Members have been busy bringing people together and getting local communities into the festive spirit with all manner of Christmassy activities this month.

Friends of Corbridge Station opted for railway-themed decorations for their entry to the Christmas Tree Festival (top left); Penistone Line Partnership’s carol train was brimming with musical cheer (top middle); and Community Rail Cumbria organised their annual collaboration with Flimby Primary School to create a festive banner wishing passengers a Merry Christmas (top right).  

There were special train trips from Barton Cleethorpes CRP, who took 82 excited children on a magical trip to meet Santa (bottom right), and Essex & South Suffolk CRP organised four charity trains to Manningtree, offering families in need a warm and welcoming day out, with sweet treats, small gifts and even hygiene products such as toothbrushes available to take home (bottom middle).

And East Suffolk Lines CRP didn’t let engineering work disrupt the festive fun – they took families from Halesworth to the Saxmundham Christmas Fayre on a special ‘Santa bus’! (bottom left).
Heart of England CRP has built on the excitement of Railway 200 and created a lasting legacy for local railway heritage in Leamington Spa. Together with talented artist KatieOArt, funders Chiltern Railways and the fantastic TeamBA, the CRP has documented the station’s mural project whilst celebrating the town as a cultural destination. It is hoped that the video will inspire further murals and encourage more visitors to the area.