Community Rail Network empowers, supports and champions community-based and -led groups, initiatives and partnerships that connect communities with their railways, to create social, environmental and economic benefit.

Our role as an umbrella organisation and membership body for community rail is to help the movement thrive, develop, and achieve maximum impact. We provide advice, membership services and events, share good practice, and connect community rail partnerships and groups so they can learn from one another and strengthen their work. We also represent and advocate for community rail and champion the community insights, experiences and voices it offers, working with national and devolved government, the rail and transport sector, and wider community sector.

Read our latest Impact Report to find out more.

Our vision

A flourishing community rail movement connecting people and their railways, contributing to inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities.

Our mission

To empower, support and champion the community rail movement.

We help community rail partnerships and groups to:

• Enhance the railways’ contribution to social inclusion, sustainable development and health and wellbeing, including by maximising access to and use of the railways.
• Ensure the community has a voice and plays a part in the development and improvement of our railways and sustainable, inclusive travel and mobility, so this meets community needs and aspirations and delivers maximum social value.
• Communicate the development and importance of railways to communities and decision-makers, enhancing understanding and pride, and promoting rail as a key part of sustainable, healthy travel.

Our strategic aim

By 2030, Community Rail Network will be a respected national charity and trusted voice for community rail and its insights. We will be empowering and leading a thriving community-driven movement that delivers evidenced social, environmental and economic value from the railway and drives progress towards sustainable, inclusive transport.

Our strategic objectives

1. Communities experience greater benefits from community rail, through increased confidence in, access to and use of rail and sustainable travel, and unlocking social, socio-economic and environmental value from stations and rail assets.
2. Organisations within the community rail movement are empowered to be stronger, more resilient and better equipped to deliver long-term impact.
3. The insights, voices and value of community rail are better understood, utilised and reflected in strategy and policy-making at devolved as well as national level.
4. Community Rail Network has the structure, partnerships, visibility and financial resilience needed for long-term impact.