COMMUNITIES across Wales came together to celebrate Community Rail Week 2026, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, showcasing how local railways, stations and volunteers are creating more inclusive, accessible and connected communities through the theme of ‘Journeys for All’, said Community Rail Network.
Community rail brings people, railways and communities together. It’s a grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and local organisations working with the rail industry to improve stations, build confidence in train travel, promote sustainable journeys and help rail better serve local people.
This year’s national campaign, led by the Community Rail Network and sponsored by the Rail Delivery Group, ran from June 1–7 under the theme ‘Journeys for All’. The week engaged over 13,000 people through events and activities across Britain, with a wider campaign reaching millions online.
Coinciding with Volunteers’ Week, it shone a spotlight on the thousands of volunteers and community rail teams who work year-round to tackle isolation, improve wellbeing, support sustainable travel and connect communities with their local railways.
Highlights included:
- Wales and Borders Community Rail Partnerships, in partnership with Transport for Wales, hosting a community rail showcase at Liverpool Lime Street, promoting the new direct Llandudno–Liverpool service and its role in improving regional connectivity. The event highlighted the benefits of rail in linking communities and supporting more sustainable, accessible travel choices.
- Three Valleys Community Rail Partnership delivering “Reading on the Rails” across Valleys services, distributing free books and bookmarks to passengers in Merthyr, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff to promote literacy and community engagement. The initiative created a positive onboard experience while encouraging reading and highlighting the social value of rail travel.
- South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership delivering the “Wordy Routes” creative writing workshops on the Fishguard–Goodwick line, bringing people together to explore storytelling inspired by their journeys. The sessions celebrated the line as a space for creativity and connection, enriching community engagement with rail.
- Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership welcoming a new station adopter group at Llandeilo, working with Ynni Sir Gar to strengthen community volunteering and support ongoing station improvements. The initiative builds local ownership of the station while enhancing its role as a welcoming community space.
- Cambrian Lines Community Rail Partnership unveiling Railway 200 community art and heritage projects at Criccieth station, celebrating local volunteering, biodiversity and railway history. The initiative brought the community together to showcase creativity and pride of place, strengthening connections between people and their railway.
Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend said: “Community Rail Week 2026 demonstrated the incredible impact that community rail has in bringing people together and making rail travel more accessible, welcoming and relevant to people’s lives.
“Through this year’s ‘Journeys for All’ theme, community rail partnerships and volunteers showcased how local railways can help tackle isolation, build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect people to opportunities.”
Three Valleys CRP officer Verity Lewis said: “We’re incredibly proud to have taken part in Community Rail Week as part of this national campaign, celebrating the people and partnerships that make our railways so much more than a means of transport.
“It highlights how community rail can bring people together, support inclusion, create memorable experiences and help ensure everyone feels welcome and confident travelling by train.”
Community rail continues to thrive across Wales where partnerships and volunteers work alongside train operators, local authorities, charities and community groups to improve station environments, promote sustainable travel and ensure railways remain accessible and welcoming for all.
Across Wales, five community rail partnerships and around 60 station volunteer groups deliver a range of activities designed to encourage sustainable travel, celebrate local heritage and ensure rail remains at the heart of community life.
