Hello everyone. We hope you are well and we wish all those who celebrate, a happy start to Ramadan – may this month bring you peace, blessings and reflection.
We’re very much looking forward to seeing many of you at the Community Rail Awards in Newcastle next week – it looks set to be our biggest celebratory evening to date!
Railway 200
Earlier this week, Railway 200 confirmed the route for the first three months of the Exhibition Train. The bicentenary train, named Inspiration, will visit 60 locations across Britain over 12 months (including several community rail lines and stations), promoting rail innovation and careers with interactive displays. Read the press release and visit the dedicated webpage.
We will be hosting another online session with Emma Robertson and Christy Argyroudi from Railway 200 in mid/late March, who will be available to discuss all things Exhibition Train with members. We will share the details of the session as soon as we can. In the meantime, read this FAQ sheet.
Influencing
Last week we had a very positive meeting with Rail Minister Lord Hendy. We discussed rail reform, Great British Railways and the important role community rail can play as the new arrangements take shape. As always, Lord Hendy was extremely supportive and knowledgeable about the work you all do. We will continue the dialogue with him and his team and keep you updated.
‘On Track’ programme
We’re delighted to be working alongside Community Rail Lancashire, Gloucestershire & Oxfordshire CRPs and RNIB on a project funded by the Motability Foundation to explore the effectiveness of disability training received by rail staff. The project, entitled ‘On track for inclusive train travel: a model for engaging disabled people with rail workforce culture change’, will focus on supporting rail staff to improve how they communicate with and assist disabled people, with the ultimate aim of making rail travel more accessible and inclusive for all. Read more about the project here.
Upcoming training sessions
We have several training sessions coming up in the next couple of months. These sessions will all be held online and are for Community Rail Network members only.
- Surveying for impact – this interactive workshop on Tuesday 18 March, 9.30am-1.30pm, will provide you with the tools to confidently use surveys to gather insights and feedback from your community. The session will be delivered by Magda Charlton, evaluator and director at Research Oxford. Register here.
- Learning and sharing for station adopters – station adopters have the choice of an afternoon (1.30-3pm) or evening (6.30-8pm) session on Wednesday 26 March to chat with fellow volunteers, discuss your recent projects and share your thoughts and top tips. Register here.
- Project planning and management – this one-day course, on Tuesday 1 April, 9.45am-3pm, will provide an overview of some project management tools and techniques, and the chance to consider how to put them into practice. You will be able to share experiences with other participants and learn from each other. Register here.
- Social media skillshare – this session on Wednesday 30 April, 1.30-3.30pm, will focus on different types of social media content and platforms, allowing you to find out how others are using social media, as well as share tips and get new ideas. Register here.
Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin, a Community Rail Awards special edition, is on 19 March. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Bill
- Rocket 2030’s ‘All Aboard’ programme welcomes input from community rail
- Step outside with Railway 200 to fundraise and protect rail memories for the future
- Help the RHS to shape support for community gardening in the future
- South West Wales Connected CRP joins choir to mark start of Wales Week London
- ‘All Aboard’ artwork celebrates diverse communities in Aldershot
- Kent CRP makes it easier to take your bike on trains along the Kent Downs Line
- Railway 200 project to connect ‘FOBS’ groups with 200-word mission statement
- Hereward CRP helps Soham schoolchildren to try the train
- Barton-Cleethorpes CRP launches Railway 200-inspired ‘art along the line’ project
- Vibrant murals at Bedminster Station enhance gateway to Bristol’s Arts Quarter
- Swindon schoolchildren get to know key railway figure on exciting ‘try the train’ trip
- ‘What’s for tea?’: Tyne Valley CRP unveils latest exhibition at Haltwhistle Station
- Essex & South Suffolk CRP shares jam-packed schedule of 2025 events
- Southeast Communities Rail Partnership supports SEND adults to travel confidently
The Bistro’s Rebecca Lauder said: “We’ve had an absolutely incredible response thanks to the video. People have come from as far afield as Dorset and Cullompton especially to see us – it’s made us have a very busy start to 2025.”
DCRP social media officer Betsy said: “It’s been great to see the impact of the video, supporting both the local economy and the railway. We’ve got plenty more videos planned for our Great Scenic Railways social media channels.”
