20 Years of Community Rail Awards!

Headline Partnered by Lumo

Our 20^th anniversary Awards are fast approaching,  Thursday 13 March , at Newcastle Civic Centre. 

It’s going to be a special night, as we recognise the volunteers, groups and partnerships doing wonderful work on behalf of their communities and railways across the UK. Community Rail will shine, as we see amazing projects and people showcased at the gala event.

This milestone Awards will also align with the celebrations of Railway 200.

The number of booking requests for this milestone event have been astounding! So much so that we are beyond capacity at the venue and having to operate a waiting list!

See our 2025 shortlist here!

Voting has now closed for our Community Rail Awards Photography Competition. Winners will be announced at the Awards evening on Thursday 13 March.

Fringe Activities – bringing added value to your Awards experience. You may want to book a few days in the region!

Headline Partners Welcome Reception

Our headline partners Lumo will be hosting a ‘Pre-Awards Welcome Reception’ on Wednesday 12 March, for any Awards guests arriving early in Newcastle! Click here for more information and to book your place. Event fully booked!

Alongside our Awards gala event, there will be opportunities to visit many heritage, railway and cultural attractions and places of interest

The regional CRPs, Tyne Valley CRP, Bishop Line CRP, and Esk Valley Railway, will be showcasing community rail in the North-East.  This is a great chance for UK-wide colleagues to see first-hand, the wonderful work our north-eastern CRPs do supporting their communities and their railway.

Find out more HERE about the added value supporting ‘Fringe Activities’ on offer, and to find out how to book your place on the exciting launch event of the community rail album ‘Passengers & Pioneers’ 

Important travel information

Please note the following: Between 0300 on Saturday 15th March and 0445 on Monday 17th March there will be no trains servicing Darlington Station, there will also be line blocks in place on the East Coast Mainline between Darlington and Newcastle, during those times a rail replacement will be in operation. Please consider this when planning your extended stay in the Northeast. It may be better to stay longer or choose a different route! If returning to the south you can use Northern from Newcastle to Sunderland, then use Grand Central Sunderland to London. Newcastle to Carlise services to the West Coast Mainline will not be affected.

Milestone Dates for your diary:

• Gala Dinner Bookings NOW CLOSED! 

Attendance Subsidy Fund – Applications now CLOSED

We are very grateful to our Sponsors and Donors, whose support enables us to once again offer an Attendance Subsidy for community rail shortlistees, to help them attend the event in Newcastle (please note the fund is limited and awarded to shortlisted entrants only, on a first-come-first-served basis)

Complimentary Rail Travel – Applications now CLOSED

We’re  incredibly grateful that Rail Delivery Group is once again providing support, in the form of complimentary return rail passes for member shortlistees to travel to Newcastle.