Welcome to the Community Rail Awards 2027 Hub

The Community Rail Awards, organised by Community Rail Network, are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible people, projects and partnerships that make a difference across the community rail movement. Every submission helps showcase the creativity, dedication and impact of your work, while inspiring others across community rail.

Whether you’re entering the awards for the first time or are a seasoned applicant, this hub has been designed to support you every step of the way. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for entries opening on 1 September, including guidance, resources, examples and practical tips to help you understand the categories and plan your submission.

You can also explore the award categories and judging criteria, review the rules of entry, view the key milestone dates for this year’s awards, learn more about our valued sponsors, and meet the judges who will be reviewing submissions.

We know that completing an awards submission can sometimes feel daunting. You may be short on time, unsure where to start, worried about writing up your achievements, or face other barriers that make the process challenging. However, our team is here to help you navigate any difficulties, answer your questions and provide support to help you submit the strongest application possible.

If there’s something preventing you from taking part, or if there are ways we could make the process more accessible and inclusive, we’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps us improve not only your experience this year, but the awards process for future entrants too.

So, take a look around, explore the guidance and support available, and when you’re ready, start telling your story. We can’t wait to hear about the remarkable work you’re doing and showcase its value and impact to the wider public, partners and stakeholders.

Need help? Get in touch with us at any stage of your awards journey. We’re here to support you.

Get inspired! See last year’s winners in our 2026 Hall of Fame.