Hello everyone.
After months of planning, this year’s Community Rail Conference is almost here.
On Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 October, we’ll be bringing members, partners and friends from across the community rail family together in Derby. It’s always a highlight of the year, offering a chance to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections and share ideas about how we can continue to make a difference in our communities and on the railway.
A big part of that is learning from one another. Monday’s CRP Showcase will feature ten examples of community rail activity making a real difference locally, while our Open Platform sessions offer the chance to explore ideas, exchange experiences and pick up inspiration from others working across the network. We’re looking forward to seeing the conversations these sessions spark, and hearing the ideas and questions that members bring to the table.
Tuesday’s programme also promises some valuable insights, with keynote contributions on rail reform, the long-term rail strategy and the social value of community rail. These are important areas for our movement, and the opportunity to hear directly from key voices and put questions to them will be particularly useful as the railway continues to evolve.
Alongside the Conference, we’ve also been in touch with members last week about several important issues ahead of November’s AGM. We know there may be questions, and we want to make sure there are opportunities for open and constructive conversations. Members of the Board and Community Rail Network’s senior leadership team will be around during the Conference, so please do grab us if there’s anything you’d like to ask or talk through. If you’re not in attendance, please reach out via email.
Whether you’re joining us in Derby or following the conversations from afar, we hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter. To everyone attending next week, we look forward to seeing you!
Best wishes
Bill and Jeremy
World Cup of Stations
We are delighted to see several community rail stations included on the final shortlist for World Cup of Stations. The theme of this year’s competition is all about championing the stations that are creating and strengthening connections, and it’s wonderful to see the amazing work of groups at stations such as Stow, Haltwhistle, Bishopstone, Crediton, Hindley (and several more!) recognised for their fantastic efforts. Explore the shortlist and make sure you’ve voted for your favourite by 23:59 this Sunday 18 October.
Share your stories for White Ribbon Day
A reminder that ahead of White Ribbon Day on 25 November, we’re looking for examples of community rail initiatives that have helped to make railway spaces or journeys safer for women and girls. Whether through projects, partnerships or awareness-raising activity, we’d love to showcase your work in supporting the safety, inclusion and wellbeing of female passengers. Send your stories and initiatives to news@communityrail.org.uk.
AGM
We will be holding our next Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 4 November 2026, 2-3:30pm, via Zoom, and we’d love to see as many members as possible there. Book your place. Members will be asked to vote on a resolution at the AGM, further information about which can be found in the Member Resolution Notice on our AGM webpage.
The following training, networking and development sessions are online and members only unless stated otherwise.
- Community Rail Education Network. Wednesday 21 October, 10-11am. This session will be joined by a representative from the Railway Children charity. Open to all. Details here.
- From ideas to community impact: connections for station adoption groups. Monday 26 October, 2-3:30pm. This information and networking session, primarily aimed at station adopters, is perfect for those looking for sources of support and inspiration in relation to balancing regular activities with expanding your group’s reach, developing new ideas or finding funding. Register here.
- Community Rail Tourism Network. Wednesday 28 October, 10-11:30am. Hear from Community Rail Lancashire about the Stations of Welcome initiative and the positive media publicity it has generated. Details here.
Your next bulletin is on 28 October. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X. Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk.
- Purbeck CRP leads ‘reminiscence’ trip to Swanage Railway for people with dementia
- Local MP and Youth Council unveil striking new mural at Basildon Station
- Settle-Carlisle Railway launches Volunteer Awards to celebrate 150th anniversary
- Two big anniversaries celebrated along the Bentham Line
- Cardross team wins RHS Railway Stations in Bloom competition
- Three Valleys CRP launches new website
- Join Esk Valley Railway’s next Forget-Me-Not Dementia Train on 21 October
Young Rail Professionals Network
Young Rail Professionals was founded in 2009 to promote, inspire and develop the next generation of railway talent across the UK. Since then, it has grown to over 4,000 members and continues to expand.
Young Rail Professionals Yorkshire has recently been rebooted with a new regional committee, and the team are keen to get as many people involved as possible, including representatives from community rail. There will be a range of events hosted across Yorkshire, bringing together people who are new to rail and those early in their careers, with opportunities to network, learn and discover more about the industry. Sign up to hear about the latest events and news from the Yorkshire region and get involved. Contact info@youngrailpro.com if you’d like to find out more.
- Staying safe this autumn: tackling anti-social behaviour on the railway
- The Route Forward: report highlights people and places transformed by cycling
- Webinar to explore turning public transport integration ambition into action
- Community cycle hub opens at Preston Station to help boost riding in city
- CAF celebrates support for local causes through its Community Chest Fund
- New artwork welcomes passengers to Glasgow Central Station
- Report explores how GTR is supporting inclusive growth across the network
- SleeperTrain.co.uk provides free, regularly updated tracker of night-train launches