Northern thanks volunteers who make ‘a real difference’ after dozens were recognised at the Community Rail Awards

Station adoption groups, community groups and community rail partnerships across the country received awards during a ceremony in Newcastle last week.

Teams that work closely with Northern were among the 20 winners who were chosen from 227 entries.

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “We would like to congratulate all of the winners at this year’s Community Rail Awards.

“We would also like to thank all of the other volunteers who take pride in improving stations for their local communities and providing visitors with a warm welcome.  

“Their hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed and it makes a real difference to our customers.”  

The winners included Community Rail Cumbria’s Beyond the Home project, which was designed to help disabled people overcome the challenges and barriers they encounter when travelling by train.

High Peak & Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership were recognised for boosting post-Covid passenger numbers on the Buxton Line, by advertising an array of visitor attractions.

The Queer Rail Art Trail project, which has made 23 stations between Whitehaven and Newcastle more inclusive spaces with vibrant LGBTQIA+ artwork, won an award in the Community Creative Projects and Station Arts category.

It is jointly run by Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, Cumbrian Coast Community Rail Partnership and Queer Cumbria.

Anne Ridley, from Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership and Jill Tiernan from Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, were recognised in the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution category.

Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership won the Tourism and Leisure Award for delivering a marketing campaign that highlighted the attractions along the scenic route. 

Community Rail Lancashire were also recognised in that category for working to promote the benefits of Northern’s Yorkshire Dales Explorer Service, which launched last year.

Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company were named as winners in the Photography Competition for their ‘Calendar Girls’ charity fundraiser.

Friends of Buxton Station took home the Platinum It’s Your Station award for working to establish their station as a welcoming, vibrant and accessible community hub.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.