Community Rail Network

Who we are

What is community rail?

Community rail is a unique and growing grassroots movement made up of 78 community rail partnerships, more than 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives across Britain.

Community rail partnerships work to strengthen the relationship between communities and their railways, promote social inclusion and access to opportunity, support sustainable travel and tourism, improve health and wellbeing, and unlock local economic and environmental benefits.

Working alongside train operators, the wider rail and transport sector, local authorities, educators and community partners, they deliver projects that improve rail services and stations, create stronger community connections, and ensure local people have a voice in the future of transport.

Together, these organisations and volunteers deliver a wide range of initiatives, from engaging young people and building confidence in rail travel, to improving accessibility, enhancing stations, supporting biodiversity projects and creating community spaces that bring people together.

About Community Rail Network

Community Rail Network is the national membership and umbrella body for the community rail movement across England, Scotland and Wales. We empower, support and champion community-led partnerships and groups, helping them create social, environmental and economic value through their work.

Our role is to help the movement grow, develop and achieve lasting impact. We provide advice, training, events, resources and opportunities to share good practice, while bringing organisations together to learn from each other and strengthen their work.

We also represent and advocate for community rail, sharing the insights and experiences of communities with government, mayoral strategic authorities, the rail and transport sector and wider partners. This helps ensure community perspectives inform decisions about the future of rail and sustainable transport.

We are currently progressing an application to become a registered charity, reflecting our commitment to public benefit and our ambition for long-term sustainability.

Our culture and values

Our team of 22 colleagues is based across Britain, working mainly from home while coming together regularly online and in person. We are a collaborative, values-led organisation, passionate about making a difference through community rail.

As we grow and develop, we are committed to maintaining a clear organisational identity - one that adds value, amplifies the impact of the movement and keeps our members at the heart of everything we do.

We believe in nurturing talent, supporting professional development and creating an environment where everyone can reach their potential while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

Our ambition is that, by 2030, Community Rail Network will be a respected national charity and trusted voice for community rail, empowering a thriving movement that delivers evidenced social, environmental and economic value from the railway and helps drive progress towards sustainable, inclusive transport.