Rail Journey to Recovery – Community Rail Cumbria
The ‘Rail Journey to Recovery’ is an innovative project between Community Rail Cumbria and Turning Point, a national charity specialising in the rehabilitation of people with substance and alcohol abuse issues. The project integrates rail-based activity within established programmes of rehabilitation, focusing on enhancing participant’s self-esteem, social interaction and confidence. Funded through ComREG (Northern’s community rail […]
The Rails Which Circled the World – Community Rail Cumbria and Workington Focus Group
Concept and aims The main aim of ‘The Rails Which Circled the World’ project was to highlight the historical importance of rail-making to Workington. The town’s Moss Bay Steelworks was once proudly responsible for producing vast quantities of steel rails which were shipped all over the world. Community Rail Cumbria and Workington Focus Group wanted to […]
Hop on a Train – Friends of Ally Pally Station
Overview There is a well-established collective in the borough that Alexandra Palace station is in with the unusual name of Wood Green Hopping. They grow, and encourage neighbours to grow, hops. In the Autumn these are harvested and pooled, taken to a local microbrewery, and turned into a unique small batch beer, which is sold […]
Sheila Davidson: an outstanding community rail volunteer – Friends of Hindley Station
About Sheila Sheila Davidson has been involved with the Friends of Hindley Station from the beginning and has worked tirelessly over that time. A born organiser, Sheila is a true ambassador for the group, representing them in the community and beyond. She is Secretary of Friends of Hindley Station, a member of Women in Community Rail and […]
A Chance to Shine – Kent CRP and Sheppey College
Kent Community Rail Partnership and Sheppey College wanted to work together to provide opportunities for students to get involved in a range of community projects. The main aim of ‘A Chance to Shine’ was to empower students to showcase their talents, boosting self-esteem, providing real-life experiences, and helping build portfolios to enhance employment prospects. The […]
The Ambulance Train – Kent CRP, Swale Rail CRP and Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne
Overview This was an ambitious event involving 21 local community groups, during the World War One 100th anniversary remembrance period in November 2016. It commemorated Ambulance Trains, which departed Kent during wartime. Interactive activities were held at seven locations and involved a dedicated “Poppy-branded” Javelin High Speed train to transport people between locations, used for […]
Dwell Time – Penistone Line Partnership
Concept and aims Dwell Time was developed as an arts project to raise awareness of mental wellbeing and to provide a platform for people experiencing mental health issues to share their stories through art and writing. It subsequently developed into both a free publication distributed on the railway network and an online blog, allowing its content […]
Smethwick Rolfe Street Station regeneration – London Midland, Sandwell College and Smethwick Rolfe Street Adopters
Overview Smethwick Rolfe Street is an inner-city station near Birmingham, opened in 1852, in one of the most diverse parts of the West Midlands, with a vibrant cultural mix. Sister station Galton Bridge, opened in 1995, is a mile away, fully accessible and with a footfall of 0.64 million (one third more than Rolfe Street). […]
Lowestoft Signal Box Tours – Wherry Lines CRP and Lowestoft Central Project
The Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and Lowestoft Central Project team wanted to offer unique tours of Lowestoft Signal Box, which had overseen the town’s station and goods yard for over 100 years but was due to close in February 2020. The aim of the project was to engage people in railway heritage and the community rail movement, and […]
Backtrack: Create it, Share it, Save lives – Community Rail Education Network
Concept and aims The Community Rail Education Network were approached by Network Rail to create a competition to address the 25% increase in trespassing during the COVID-19 lockdown. Although a poster competition was initially suggested, the group felt that creating films and songs, alongside scripts and storyboards, would be more appealing to young people, given […]
