Need some inspiration?

If you're interested in developing local and regional railways by involving people, this edition of the Citizens' Rail newsletter is for you. 

It's packed with free tools and resources developed by our award-winning EU project, recognised in three categories at the recent UK Community Rail Awards (pictured).
 
As the project draws to a close this autumn, our UK, French, Dutch and German partners are keen to share what we have learned - so explore away, and please do circulate this newsletter to colleagues and other networks. Thanks in advance.

Explore our free toolkit of ideas

Get ideas, advice, case studies and videos about how to engage local communities with their railways in the Citizens' Rail toolkit, our free web resource that brings together best practice from each of our partner regions (and beyond). Find out how...

Aachen

• School children have created a more welcoming look for Eilendorf station.
• The local community has helped shape plans for a new station at Richterich.
• Students have been consulted about station improvements at Aachen West through the Dear Hunter project.

Devon

• Additional services and station improvements have boosted The Riviera Line.
• Line forums created a dialogue between the railway and local organisations.
• Art and gardening projects at stations have blossomed thanks to volunteers.

Lancashire

• The community-focused station building at Burnley Manchester Road has attracted more passengers and increased customer satisfaction.
• Children are being introduced to the railway through the Passport to Safe Travel.
• Direct trains between Burnley and Manchester are boosting regeneration.

Parkstad Limburg

• Early consultation gave local people a real say in planning improvements.  
• Student masterclasses generated new ideas for Nuth and other stations.
• Working groups of residents and businesses are helping plan new rail projects. 

Pays de la Loire

• Stylish marketing and additional services revived the La Roche-Bressuire line.
• Storytelling events have helped local residents to (re)discover Penhoët station.
• New uses have been found for disused station buildings, including at Le Pallet and Batz-sur-Mer.

Join our online network

With nearly 100 members already, join the Community Rail Cafe, our growing social network. In the Cafe you can keep in touch with Citizens' Rail partners and other community rail specialists and discuss ways to engage local people in their railways. It's simple and free to sign up - we look forward to welcoming you. 

Catch up on our final conference

Attendees described our final conference in Torquay as "the best conference I've ever attended" and as an event that "will stay in the mind for a very long time". Watch our three-minute video taster of the conference, featuring inspiring speakers from the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Read our magazine feature

Leading UK magazine Modern Railways produced a special 16-page report on the Citizens’ Rail project this autumn. The magazine’s European editor joined the Citizens’ Rail partners for our penultimate meeting in Pays de la Loire, and produced an informative look at the impact of the “community rail” approach in North West Europe.

What next?

Looking ahead, our partners are keen to continue working together and learning from one another. This will include informal meet-ups, as well as looking at funding opportunities for future joint projects. We will also produce one further edition of this newsletter to celebrate the achievements of the project and share best practice.