Calling all train station volunteer groups – grant funding is available to celebrate 200 years of rail travel
2025 is a big year for rail travel, since it marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. On 27 September 1825, the first steam-hauled passenger train carried 450 people from Darlington to Stockton at a (then) groundbreaking 15 miles per hour. Born in Britain, rail quickly spread across the globe, helping to build a more connected world.
Through a year-long series of activities and events, Railway 200 will showcase how rail has shaped Britain and the world. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to explore rail’s crucial role in national life.
Get involved
There are plenty of ways local communities can get involved, including attending (or hosting) a Railway 200 event.
For railway station volunteer groups, the bicentennial celebrations are a great opportunity to refresh your local station’s floral displays – often the vibrant backdrop that brings delight to rail travellers and staff all year round.
Why not plant a Railway 200 inspired garden, or let others know about your work by tying in with an existing event? You may even recruit some new volunteers.
Find a Railway 200 event near you.
Need some inspiration?
We’ve picked a few Amberol products that are a popular choice for railway stations due to their durable, weather-resistant material and self-watering feature. For added personalisation, why not enquire about adding branding, logos, or crests to the planters.
Bring a heritage charm to your railway station with the Promenade Planter’s classic gold banding, and generous capacity for floral displays.
Breathe some fresh air and a photo opportunity into your railway station platforms with the Amberwall – Amberol’s new ‘living wall’.
Ideally placed on railings, our Full Barrier Baskets and Balcony Planters are a proven solution to those requiring a low maintenance planter. The self-watering feature will keep your blooms thriving all season whilst saving you time, water, and money.
Grants available for railway volunteer groups
Please note that many of these grants are open to Community Rail Network members only. Not a Community Rail Network member? Join here.
Small Grants Fund (England)
- Now closed for applications, but will reopen in mid-April 2025
- Community Rail Network members in England can apply for small grants of up to £2,500 for non-accredited community rail partnerships and community station members, or £1,000 for station friends, adopters and small groups
Apply now
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Small Grants Fund
- Open for applications all year round to Community Rail Network members only
- (TfGM) have made a funding pot available for project bids from community rail partnerships and station friends’ groups who want to improve Greater Manchester’s rail stations.
- CRPs and Community Stations can bid for up to £1,500
- Friends Groups can bid for up to £500
South Western Railway (SWR) Station Adoption Fund
- Open for applications all year round to Community Rail Network members only
- Small Grants Scheme for station adoption groups in the South West region, to enable its member organisations to undertake small projects that would otherwise fall through the funding net, or to part-fund bigger ones.
- For more information, contact grants@communityrail.org.uk
General sources of funding
For those who are not members of the Community Rail Network, there are other funding opportunities. The Prince’s Trust has a great list of organisations who make a variety of grants, as does the Getting Funding website. The Rural Services Network has a monthly digest of potential funding sources.
A whole range of grants are funded through the National Lottery, with the The National Lottery Community Fund especially relevant to a lot of community rail projects.
Our autumn/winter photo competition opens for entries on 1st November 2024 and runs until 31st March 2025.
Entering is very easy - just submit your photo of Amberol’s self-watering planters with your wonderful displays via the online form on the Amberol website. Your photos will then be entered into the public vote and results will be announced in April 2025.
Submit your photo.
Amberol can support your community gardening project
Amberol products have long formed an important part of many community projects, ticking the boxes of sustainability by using recycled or recyclable materials in our self-watering planters, litter bins and benches and picnic tables. Our self-watering planters also help conserve water and reduce maintenance demands.
Call 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk for more information on Amberol’s products.
