Community rail and station adoption activity - children making crowns as part of the celebrations for the Royal Coronation

Community rail and station adoption

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP’s) are not-for-profit organisations that help to further connect the railway with the communities they serve. They were initially set up to encourage people to make use of their local rail services, especially during off-peak times.

Today, CRP’s work closely with train operators across the country, promoting healthy and sustainable travel, bringing communities together, as well as supporting social and economic development.

Each partnership has a steering group made up of local stakeholders, who agree on an activity plan of work. The activities often include:

  • Producing line guides to promote local attractions
  • Encouraging and supporting station adoption
  • Working with us to promote Try the Train days for those without the confidence to use the railway
  • Working with us to develop redundant spaces at stations into community hubs
  • Other initiatives that promote rail travel and the possibilities that it offers

SWR is proud to provide funding to support the 12 CRPs on our network.

Find out more about our community rail partnerships



David Bowie silent disco at London Waterloo Southbank station. One of the community rail partnership events

Our Community Rail Partnerships

Map of the South Western Railway network and the community rail partners we work with

Download the community rail partnerships map

Community rail and station adoption photo gallery

A group picture in front of a train
2 women smiling in front of a sign
A small group of people outside Tisbury Station
A group of people doing gardening work at a train station
A group of school children and their teachers on a train platform
4 people standing in front of a sign that says: 'celebrating 175'
School children on a train platform - entrance area | South Western Railway
A crowd of people at a Waterloo Station silent disco
A group of people sat around a table eating | South Western Railway
2 people holding a sign that says: 'friends of Bitterne Station' | South Western Railway
people presenting an award | South Western Railway
A group of people gardening | South Western Railway

Community Use Spaces

Help us to bring redundant station spaces back into use for our local community

Find out more

Adopt a Station

Our Station Adoption scheme allows our local community to take a part in helping keep our stations attractive and welcoming

Find out more