Myself and the rest of the Community Rail Network team and our hosts from East Midlands Railway are currently working like Trojans, getting the stage (and bar, and lounge, and everything else) set for tonight’s annual Community Rail Awards. We’ve a record attendance this year – over 600 people, so this is the biggest venue we’ve used in the 21 years of the event. We change location every year, so each time we’re faced with different logistical and technical challenges which makes for an ‘interesting’ time! I’m not going to give any spoilers other than to say there’s going to be a fantastic event some very worthy winners. Here’s the brochure.
I’ll update this blog off and on during the day…
You’ll be able to see more of what’s going on by following Community Rail Network here on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter (aka X) and their own website.
15:30.
Bliss! I’ve 5 mins to relax back at the hotel after popping down to the station for a few pics of the rail awards bunting – and a couple of EMR’s new Class 810 ‘Aurora’ trains.
I’ve got to be back at the Arena at 16:00 for the staff briefing and final checks before the guests start arriving at 17:00. I’ve already bumped into a few old friends at the station so I’m expecting another busy night.
18:30.
Drinks reception over, we’re in the main hall having food before the main event.
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The pair of us are off to Derby to prepare for tonight’s social event before tomorrow’s Community Rail awards. Weatherwise, it’s a fantastic day to be travelling. As we had plenty of time we haven’t had to rush or get up at sparrow-fart to get there, which has been nice. Instead, we’ve had a leisurely morning packing before heading off to the station.
Due to congestion in the Calder valley our intended train from Halifax was late. Instead, we caught a Halifax to Hull service that was running just ahead of ours. The 3car Class 158 that was working it was almost empty so we had a relaxing journey to Leeds where we’d arranged to meet up with a couple of CRN colleagues to catch Cross-Country’s 13:15 to Derby. I’d noted that this was only a 4-car train and likely to be rammed, so prepared a plan B. Sure enough, it was standing room only, so whilst our colleagues braved it Dawn and I followed behind on Northern’s 13:38 to Sheffield. As this started from Leeds we’d no trouble getting a table bay, allowing me to set up the mobile office and for Dee to answer emails. The two of us are in no rush as neither of us are officially on duty tonight and the social event (sponsored by East Midlands Railway) isn’t until 17:00.
So, next stop Sheffield, where we’ll pick up an EMR service onwards to Derby…
15:00.
It’s one of those days! We arrived at Sheffield to meet up with another of the gang only to find that all London bound EMR services were cancelled due to signal failure. Fortunatly, there was a 14:56 Cross-Country to Plymouth that we could catch. Even though it’s 5-car (formed of an ex Avanti unit) it’s packed to the gunwhales.
18:00.
We’re kicking off celebrations with an event in the gorgeous old Derby central library.
Local community rail groups had stalls advertising their routes. EMR Managing Director Will Rogers welcomed everyone to the event. Students from Graves Youth theatre performed their play ‘I am Stephenson’
23:00.
Right, that’s the social side over with. Now it’s time for an early night before the big day tomorrow.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The start of a new week sees me back on the rails, this time heading for Nottingham and the two-day Community Rail Network conference. Sadly, I’m travelling solo. Dawn was hoping to attend but decided to stay behind at the last moment due to pressures of work.
So, I’ve left home early in order to get a few pictures en-route and at Nottingham before this afternoon’s kick-off. Having walked into sunny Halifax I found a Hull bound service waiting at the platform, so I’m already on my way to Leeds aboard a mostly empty 2-car class 158 which is providing a relaxed mobile office environment!
I’ve worked in busier offices!
11:35.
After a brief stop in Leeds to change trains, I’m on my way again. Oddly, on another Class 158. The Leeds – Nottingham route is normally worked by the more modern CAF built Class 195s. Today, we’re having to slum it without the benefit of power-sockets. Ho hum! At least the weather’s staying good.
Not what I expected…
16:00.
Sorry for the gap, but I’ve had a busy day. I’m now settled into my hotel with time to breathe before stuff kicks off. Despite the train being busy, the trip to Nottingham was rather relaxed. Normally, there would be a gang of us, but today I was flying solo. This meant that I had a couple of hours to explore the city and get some pictures (which are downloading from the camera now). I like this city. It’s a really interesting place, full of life. Like any UK city, it’s not without its problems (homelessness and substance abuse, for example), but it’s thriving university town with a vibrant city centre – and trams – which is always a good start!
Now my camera’s downloaded I’ve a small selection of pictures for you.
DBs diversity branded Class 66 passed through hauling 6E02, the 1230 Toton Up Sidings to Boston Sleaford SidingsTo reinforce the message that the railways celebrate diversity EMRs version of a ‘trainbow’ passed through a few moments later! London Rd overbridge to the East of the station provides a great vantage point of Eastcroft depot and the running lines out to Grantham and onwards to Skegness. The view’s changed a bit over the past few years now that EMR have dispensed with their older Class 153 and 156 units. Trams on Cheapside in the centre of town.
17:10.
The stage is set, and the buffet is almost ready…
23:00.
Time to call it a day. The conference has produced lots of talking points for tomorrow, people have been busy networking and a few dozen of us have been enjoying a drink out in Nottingham. Tomorrow’s another (busy) day…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m off again. This time I’m heading back to London for a couple of days. I’m working at a Parliamentary reception this afternoon, but first I’ve got to get there, which involves travelling from Halifax on Grand Central’s first train of the day – the 07:12. Right now it’s time to get ready to head off to the station, so see you later. I’ll be blogging throughout the day.
08:00.
My walk to the station revealed the fact we’d had heavy rain overnight, which was welcome, but I doubt it’ll have made much of an impression on our empty reservoirs. Still, the stroll was pleasant as the coolness of the day meant I didn’t overheat en-route!
Now I’m sat on one of Grand Central’s two ‘Voyagers’ (221142) as it bumbles around the backwaters of West Yorkshire en-route to Doncaster in order to access the East Coast Main Line. This is a busy train with coaches fully reserved. Sadly, the wifi is kaput in mine, so I won’t be doing the work I’d hoped to.
09:15.
We’re currently speeding South along the East Coast Mainline, non-stop after our Doncaster call. It’s a bittersweet day to be heading back to the capital as today’s the 20th anniversary of the London bombings that killed and injured so many people. I was there that day. I’d been working at home in Crouch End when the first news reports came in. Public transport was at a standstill so I grapped my camera kit and cycled into central London. Getting a sense of what was going on and where was difficult as the mobile phone network was jammed. You were reliant on radio or TV reports to get an idea of the scale of things. Many office workers packed up and tried to get home, leading to massive queues outside mainline stations like Fenchurch St. Others gave up trying to get home and congregated in pubs. The atmosphere wasn’t panicked, it was more defiant. I felt very proud of my fellow Londoners that day.
Made it! Now to make my roundabout way across London to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.
The ‘Cross…
10:40.
Crossing the river – just for the fun of it!
12:15.
Objective in sight…
21:30.
Sorry for the absence but it’s been a busy day and we’re restricted to what pictures we’re allowed to take and circulate of the House of Commons – even on the terrace. That said, the event was a very good one, with lots of MPs attending to meet their local community rail groups. The main speaker was Lord Hendy;
These gigs are always challenging for me as I know so many people and they know me – which means you can get embroiled in lots of conversations but appear terribly rude when you suddenly spot a picture opportunity so have to make rapid apologies and dash.
Meanwhile, here’s a few post-event pictures from my travels around London post the event.
London Bridge.
23:00.
Time to wind things down. After the Parliamentary gig I spent time revisiting old haunts before pitching up at my old friend’s new place in Streatham Hill where I joined him, his son and a Norwegian friend for a barbecue which became great cross-generational (and country) event. Now it’s time to relax and reflect. Understandably, the local media is full of stories (some very harrowing) of 7/7 – a time I’ll never forget. But, right now, I need to focus on the future whilst still remembering the past. Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day. I’ll be up early in order to edit todays pictures in advance of what I’ll be taking tomorrow. Oh, then there’s a decent chance of a rolling blog as I don’t have (lovely as they were – even the one’s with sub-machine guns) Parliamentary staff and police breathing down my neck.
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Silly o’ clock arrived half an hour ago. I’m now up and prepping to leave the house to walk to Halifax station in order to catch the 06:00 train and head to Morecambe on the Lancashire coast, stopping off en-route at Heysham Harbour on the only train of the day which serves the once thriving port. I’ll update this blog regularly, so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to as there’s going to be regular stops throughout the day…
06:00.
My walk to the station was through streets deserted of humans. There was just me and cats who were making the most of owning this fine sunny morning before the dogs and their walkers ventured out.
Now I’m on the first train of the day, the 05:59 to Leeds. This is a busy 3-car – already half full, which isn’t bad for this time of day.
09:00
My first train only took me as far as Bradford Interchange, where I swapped stations, walking across a deserted city centre to get to Forster Square. During my research into this trip, I discovered an odd service. Forster Square trains are all-electric nowadays. Bar one. There’s a single daily DMU service from Forster Square to Lancaster, leaving at 06:41. There’s no return working either. So, me being me I decided it was worth getting up at stupid o’ clock to try it out!
The train was worked by a 2-car Class 158. Rather appropriately, one of the ex-West Yorkshire PTE units was used today. I was one of only two dozen aboard from Bradford, but as it was an all-stations service it soon filled up.
Tempting as it was to stay aboard all the way to Lancaster, I had other plans so disembarked at Skipton in order to get some pictures. Skipton is a gorgeous old Midland Railway station that still possesses many original features like the iron and glass canopies. The journey along the Aire valley was lovely. I even spotted deer calmly grazing in a field by the railway near Cononley. All the stops we called at were busy with commuters heading into Leeds, leaving each station car park full of their cars. An hour after arriving at Skipton I was on my way again. As we headed further out into the countryside, the landscape became more rugged. As usual, the railway took the path of least resistance, meandering along river valleys where it could, which afforded lovely views.
Now I’m at my next stop. Hellifield, so it’s time for a nostalgic interlude in 24H, the wonderful station cafe.
1245.
I’ve moved on once more after a lovely historical interlude at Hellifield. The station cafe contains a wealth of old photos and railway artifacts, which bear testament to what an important railway junction this once was.
Leaving, I caught the 11:11 across the ‘little North-Western’ route via Bentham to Carnforth. This is a traditional ‘clickety-clack’ railway as the rails are still jointed, producing that classic noise as trains pass over them. I’ll write more about the line later.
After a pause at Lancaster between trains and chance for a quick (but expensive) pint in the station bar, I’m now en-route to Heysham Harbour aboard the left hand one of these two Metro-Cammell built beasts.
15:15.
Having experienced both Heysham and Morecambe I may have to revise my view of the latter. Heysham is exactly as I remember it. A dump only useful for getting the ferry to/from the Isle of Man. The station’s reduced from its expansive 5 platforms to half a one just large enough to cope with a two-car train.
All change for the Isle of Man ferry…
Morecambe has been rebuilt too. The old station closed in 1994 with the site being taken over by new commercial developments. But the 1907 building survives.It has a number of uses now, including as a Greene King pub – a restoration which is rather good (just forget about the beer).
Opposite the station is the Art Deco Midland hotel- another gem that is undergoing further restoration. The old Colin Compton joke (‘they don’t bury the dead in Morecambe, they just stand them up in the bus shelters’) ran through my mind – and it’s true that a lot of the people I encountered were of a certain age, but…
A lot of money has been spent on the seafront, the beach is clean and deserted and the views across Morecambe Bay are sublime. But ‘fleshpots’ and nightlife? Nah. You come here for the quiet life!
‘I wandered, lonely as a cloud’…
Having fortified myself with chips and mushy peas (well, this IS the seaside) I made my way back East aboard a Leeds bound train which reversed at Lancaster before heading back across the ‘little North Western’ to my next stop, Bentham where I met up with Gerald Townson, an old community rail colleague, so that I could learn lots more about what the local Community Rail Partnership have been up to along the line.
Bentham station with a Lancaster bound service calling.
19:40.
Now I’m back in West Yorkshire, having a brief pitstop in Shipley before heading home via Bradford. It’s been a diverse day, but I must admit the early start is catching up with me!
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’d intended this to be a rolling blog because I was out early this morning as I had a commission in Huddersfield involving the start of Better Transport Week 2025. As is my wont I headed over there from Halifax in plenty of time, with the intention of having a look at TRU upgrade work after the gig. Ha! Today was one of those days where technology throws you a curved ball. On arrival at Huddersfield I tried to download pictures from the camera into the laptop – only to find the two were going through a divorce and wouldn’t talk to each other! I tried a couple of different USB cables, all to no avail. So, that buggered things up to start with as I was on a deadline.
The camera performed faultlessly during the job, but try as I might, I couldn’t get the two machines to kiss and make-up. Eventually I had to give up and head home many hours early in order to be close to home spares. Sure enough, after trying yet another cable out of my spares cabinet the pictures transferred perfectly! There was great rejoicing (and not a little swearing).
Now the evening’s wearing on and I’m almost packed for my next series of travels. Tomorrow I return to London for a couple of days, starting with a press lunch (but more of that tomorrow as and when it happens), after which I’ll be exploring old haunts from my time as a London resident. In the meantime, here’s a couple of pictures from today.
I’d arrived in Huddersfield with time to spare before the gig started, so I went for a wander around Huddersfield old market. It’s a fantastic old Victorian building which is still full of colour thanks to the fruit and veg and cloth stalls.The massed ranks of folks outside Huddersfield station celebrating the start of better Transport week.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Sorry this is a bit late as the two days of the awards were hectic to say the least. Now I have all the pictures edited and the winners names are out – so I’ve added a link to the Community Rail Network website and details of who the winners were.
Here’s a selection of pictures from the evening which includes the range of presenters and guest speakers at the event.
The scene is set and the tables all laid at the Civic centre in Newcastle. With just a couple of minutes left before the awards start guests take their seats. There was a record attendance of over 500 people this year, the biggest awards in its 20 year history. More people wanted to attend than the venue could accommodate. This year the awards trophies have been redesigned. 19 of them await collection by deserving groups and individuals.Vicky Pipe (now Head of Audiences and Programmes at Bletchley Park) was one of the two main hosts for the evening. Our other main presenter was Martijn Gilbert, MD of Hull trains and LUMO. LUMO were the awards headline sponser. Peter Wilkinson (Department for Transport, Major Rail Projects Group) has been a long-time supporter of community rail. He gave an address celebrating the work of volunteers at this years awards which he’s attended for many years.The irrepressible rail broadcaster Tim Dunn presented two of our awards. The father of community rail, Prof Paul Salveson presented a special trophy to Hazel Lavery, who’s organised all 20 of the community rail awards. Headline winners for their outstanding contribution to community rail were Kent Community Rail Partnership. After the serious stuff was over the tables were cleared, the band appeared and the dancefloor filled up!
Now I can relax a little bit and concentrate on adding some of the other pictures that I managed to take during a few hours free time in Newcastle…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Dawn and I are currently in Leeds, having travelled here from Halifax in order to jeet up with other members of the Community Rail Network team before continuing our onward journey to Newcastle.
After getting a raxi to Halifax station, the first leg with Northern was a breeze. A Hull bound service which starts from Halifax was sat – burbling away – at the platform when we arrived so there was no shortage of seats.
Our trusty chariot from Halifax to Leeds. Three-car 158757 has worked across the North since it was built.
We’ve chosen a good time to leave as the Metrological office has just issued a yellow warning for snow in our area! The weather’s certainly cold enough for it and hanging around Leeds station was certainly ‘Baltic’. Now we’ve met up with four colleagues aboard the 11:45 to Newcastle.
14:15.
We’ve arrived after a journey that seemed to take no time at all – mainly because we were all busy! En-route we passed under moody skies, ominous looking clouds and the occasional shower but (thankfully) no snow. Now the team’s checked into our hotel in central Newcastle. We’ve a few hours before we’re needed at this evening’s reception, so whilst the rest of the tean use the hotel as a workbase I’m off out with the camera…
A BR era class 156 sits under Newcastle station’s magnificent curved roof.
20:50.
Phew! A busy few hours. I headed out in almost sub-zero temperatures to get some pictures of trains crossing the Tyne. This meant standing another bridge just upriver where the wind chilled the bones. Typically, just as I arrived, the sun disappeared and didn’t reappear until the last few minutes before I left! Here’s a small selection. I’ll add captions tomorrow.
Heading home to thaw out and change a few of us met up afterwards in the magnificent tiled surrounding of the Centurion bar on the station for a quick drink
Before meeting up with other CRN staff and members at the nearby Lumo trains office where the company had very kindly laid on a drinks reception. It’s quite a building their office is in!
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Community Rail awards with cake at the Lumo office.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s been one where I’ve managed to cut myself off from the troubles of the world (and the results of the American election) to concentrate on something uplifting. Right now I’m knee-deep in judging the Community Rail Awards 2025 entries, specifically the ‘It’s your station’ category. We’ve had 39 entries this year, many of them from stations which have never applied before. I’ve spent the day reading through the submissions, checking the information supplied and doing my first sift of the entries to see which categories they fall into. Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. I can assure you, it’s nor all about station gardens either. Here’s some of the winners from this years Community Rail Awards.
As always, there’s some fantastic entries. Most of the stations I’m familiar with as I’ve visited them some time in the past (or even recently), a few I don’t really know at all. It doesn’t matter as we judge on the entries, some of which are incredibly inspiring as they showcase the best of the areas they represent and the total cross-section of people involved. Sometimes it’s easy to become jaded and cynical. These people, their achievements and their commitments to their communities restore your faith in humanity – something very much needed right now!
So, today’s picture is a reflection of what I’m seeing, although it’s not from a station that’s entered this year. These are some of the fantastic local history boards on display at Marple station in Cheshire.
I’ve a gallery dedicated to community rail on my Zenfolio picture website. You can find it here.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The conference has already begun here in Nottingham.
First up was a welcome video from Lord Hendy, whose full diary prevented him for appearing in person. It was introduced by Simon Huish from the DfT who’s acting as event moderator.
11:30.
We’ve had a busy day so far hearing from a range of speakers, including Jools Townsend, CRN’s Chief Executive, James McGowan, Public Affairs & PR Director for the Rail Industry Association and Emma Robertson, Programme Manager for RAIL 200. Afterwards all three became part of a panel discussion.
17:30.
Another busy day. The conference finished around 16:00 after a really interesting day where people had divided into breakout groups to discuss the subjects that really interested them. Apart from being busy taking pictures of the sessions I ended up being a major part of one as it was a discussion around photography and the law that included model releases and permissions. As you can imagine, as a 25yr long member of the National Union of Journalists I had a few legal perspectives and anecdotes to offer.
A chunk of the CRN staff were heading North together so we walked/caught the tram to Nottingham station where we adjourned for a drink in the station’s micropub before catching trains. The pubs located in the old wooden taxi office which was restored with a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust, so – we were still working, right?
Now we’re on Northern’s 17:17 to Leeds which is worked by a 2-car Class 195. It’s rammed, so it’s standing room only..
19:40.
Thankfully, the train emptied out after Alfreton, which seems to be the limit of Notts commuters on this service. The three of us managed to get seats. After Chesterfield we bagged a table whilst other colleagues joined us. We lost people en-route at Sheffield and Barnsley, leaving Dawn and I alone to Leeds. Now we’re on the last leg aboars a rather more roomy 3-car Class 158 working the Hull to Halifax run.
We’ll be glad to get home as we’ve both got work to finish. Plus, tomorrow I’ll be up early as I’m travelling down to Bicester to join an HS2 media trip looking at structures around Calvert and Southwards – so expect another blog on my adventures.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 