Thousands work across Britain’s railway each and every day to keep passengers and freight moving safely and reliably. From drivers to engineers, station staff to security, and all that’s in between, often their dedication goes unnoticed beyond the colleagues who work alongside them.
The RailStaff Awards exists to change that.
For almost 20 years, the awards have celebrated the people who go above and beyond, recognising the individuals and teams whose commitment, professionalism and kindness make a real difference. On Thursday 26 November, the rail community will once again come together to celebrate their achievements at Birmingham’s NEC.
More than an awards ceremony, the evening is an opportunity to recognise outstanding people, share inspiring stories, and celebrate everything that makes rail such a unique industry.
Time to nominate
Nominations are now open across 20 categories, and we encourage everyone in the industry to think about their colleagues who deserve recognition.
The strongest nominations often focus on the everyday actions that make a lasting impact. It could be someone who consistently supports their team, mentors new colleagues, delivers exceptional customer service, or calmly steps up during difficult situations. Others may have organised fundraising initiatives, championed wellbeing, or gone above and beyond to help passengers in need.
When preparing a nomination, think about the qualities that make your colleague stand out and include specific examples that demonstrate their contribution. Explaining what happened, when it took place, and the difference it made will help judges understand why your nominee deserves recognition.
Finally, visit www.railstaffawards.com and click on ‘Nominate Now’. Submitting a nomination is free and only takes a few minutes, but it could become one of the most meaningful acknowledgements a colleague ever receives.
Before submitting, remember to obtain approval from the nominee’s manager or director and include a recent photograph.
If you need guidance, the Rail Media events team is available to help with drafting nominations and answering any questions throughout the process. Contact the team at [email protected].
Join the celebration
Whether you’re attending to support a colleague, celebrate your own nomination, or simply enjoy an evening with friends from across the industry, the RailStaff Awards promise yet another memorable occasion.
Guests can look forward to a glamourous drinks reception, delicious three-course meal, stunning live entertainment, and the opportunity to celebrate alongside hundreds of railway professionals from every corner of the network. Now is the ideal time to secure your place.
The railway succeeds because of its people. The RailStaff Awards is an opportunity to recognise their achievements and say thank you for the difference they make every single day.
To submit a nomination or book tickets, visit wwwrailstaffawards.com.
Key Dates
- Nominations
- Open | Now – 6 September 2026
- Public Voting | 14 – 27 September 2026
- Judging Period | 1 – 16 October
- Finalists Announced | 30 September 2026
- Ticket & Table Bookings
- Early Bird Window | 1 February – 3 July 2026
- Standard Bookings | 3 July – 13 November 2026
- Tables available for reservation until mid-November.
- Ceremony
- The Ceremony | Thursday 26th November 2026
- Location: Hall 1, NEC, Birmingham
Sponsorship
The RailStaff Awards simply couldn’t happen without the backing of our industry partners. Sponsorship opportunities are now available, providing an excellent platform to showcase your organisation while demonstrating your commitment to recognising the outstanding people at the heart of the railway.
If your organisation is interested in sponsoring an award or supporting the event more broadly, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
- Our thanks go to the following for their early support:
- ABM
- Carlisle Support Services
- HALOS Body Cams
- Hitachi Rail
- RailwayPeople.com
- Readypower Group
- Telent
- Train’d Up
- Transport Benevolent Fund CIO (TBF)
- Vertiv
