Community Rail’s contribution to Railway 200 has been phenomenal. Collectively they delivered 300 events reaching 50,000 people during the anniversary year. To celebrate their contribution a special Railway 200 legacy award was introduced for the 2026 awards and our very own Emma Roberts and Mike Lamport were privileged to be the judges.
Emma said: The quality and variety of entrants in this category was outstanding. I was pure joy reading and learning about all the wonderful projects that took place to celebrate Railway 200. From small scale events, competitions and activities through to large scale performances and initiatives – the amount of work, passion and dedication sang out. For me, Community Rail is the heart of Railway 200, reaching and engaging with communities, connecting them to the railway. The anniversary year wouldn’t have been the same without their support and I am truly thankful to everyone that seized the opportunity to become a history maker and play such an important part in celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.
Small Groups Winner: Motspur Park Station Adopters for Motspur Park 100
This winning project delivered a remarkable two-day celebration led entirely by volunteers, marking a station’s centenary while embracing the spirit of Railway 200. It brought schools, community groups and residents together through talks, heritage displays, creative workshops and a festival like gathering that filled the area with music, stories and local pride. This heartfelt effort didn’t just celebrate history, it strengthened community bonds, showcased local creativity, and left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. With nearly a thousand visitors on day one and eighteen local groups involved, this project created a powerful legacy of pride, learning and connection.
Medium Groups Winner: Tyne Valley CRP for A Song for Edmondson
This winning project used Railway 200 as the spark to create something truly special, giving the young people involved an amazing experience of the railway that they’ll never forget! Working with talented singer‑songwriters, pupils from two primary schools learned about their local station’s remarkable history by writing original lyrics, taking part in sound‑engineering workshops, and even travelling by train to see historic Edmondson tickets up close. The project created a lasting legacy that will continue to celebrate this unique piece of railway heritage for generations to come.
What began as a simple idea grew into a musical journey that connected young people with a remarkable piece of railway history in the most unexpected way. These pupils uncovered stories from nearly two centuries ago, and brought them back to life through their own voices.
Large Groups Winner: Southeast Communities Rail Partnership for 200 Blue Plaques
This winning project set out to celebrate two centuries of railway heritage in a fresh, imaginative way. Working with historians, rail professionals and local communities, the team uncovered remarkable stories from across the network, pairing them with a creative showcase of the diverse modern careers shaping rail today. What followed was a series of striking heritage markers, unveiled throughout the year, bringing the past, present and future of the railway to life for thousands. A bold, visual and beautifully collaborative tribute to Railway 200.
The CRP dug into archives, chatted with historians and local legends, and uncovered brilliant stories: from Queen Victoria and Brunel to Agatha Christie, while also shining a spotlight on today’s railway jobs, showing the next generation that the rail industry is bursting with opportunity.
