Grassroots rail initiative bringing people together honoured nationally
20 March 2026
Winners at the 2026 Community Rail Awards!
The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is celebrating national recognition after winning ‘Most Effective Communications Campaign’ at the 21st Community Rail Awards, for its innovative work engaging communities with their local railway.
The event, organised by Community Rail Network and supported by headline partner East Midlands Railway, took place in Derby on Thursday 19 March. A record-breaking 610 guests attended, including volunteers, community leaders and rail industry figures from across England, Scotland and Wales.
Judges reviewed more than 300 entries showcasing the extraordinary work taking place across Britain to connect communities with their railways.
The Abbey Line CRP won the award for its film ‘From Rail to Reel: Celebrating the Abbey Line through film’. The project showcases the heritage, character and community spirit of the Abbey Line while celebrating Railway 200 and raising awareness of the train service between Watford and St Albans.
Produced by local film maker Julie D’Adamo with support from London Northwestern Railway, the short video brought together station volunteers and CRP representatives, capturing authentic local voices across locations along the route. Launched during Community Rail Week, the film was viewed at St Albans’ Odyssey cinema and promoted via social media and press coverage.
More broadly, the Abbey Line CRP delivers a wide range of community engagement and social inclusion initiatives, supports volunteering at stations, promotes green travel and tourism by rail, and works with railway and local authority partners.
Kate Swindells, Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership Officer, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Abbey Line celebrated on a national stage. This award recognises the passion of our volunteers, partners and local communities who bring the line to life every day. ‘From Rail to Reel’ was all about showcasing the unique spirit of the Abbey Line, and we’re delighted that our story has resonated so strongly.”
Across Britain, the community rail movement continues to grow. There are now 76 community rail partnerships and around 1,300 volunteer station groups working with train operators, councils and local organisations to make rail travel more accessible, sustainable and connected to local communities.
Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend, said: “Our awards celebrate the volunteers, community groups and local partnerships helping transform Britain’s railway stations into welcoming gateways to their communities.
“From supporting young people to travel independently, to creating greener stations and vibrant community spaces, these projects show how powerful local action can be.
“As the railway celebrates its 200th anniversary, community rail is helping ensure the network’s future is just as much about people and places as it is about trains and tracks. Our congratulations to the Abbey Line CRP and to all our winners, and thanks to everyone who supports and champions community rail, helping the movement to go from strength to strength.”
