Stations battle it out to be pride of Wales and the region’s champion in the World Cup of Stations

Four train stations across Wales will battle it out for a place in the final to be crowned ‘The UK’s best loved station’ and winner of World Cup of Stations 2023, the competition hosted by the Rail Delivery Group in partnership with the Community Rail Network. 

The four stations in Wales that have been nominated are all managed by Transport for Wales (TfW) are: 

• North Llanrwst has been nominated as it has an active team of volunteers who have produced art displays, and worked with local schools to keep the community at the heart of the station. 
• Llandudno has been nominated for having a community hub that hosts a job cafe and offers training and advice for job seekers and tenants to get back on the right track. 
• Conwy has been nominated as students from Ysgol Aberconwy have worked with a local artist to transform the shelter a into a piece of art, highlighting a very important rail safety message. 
• Tal-y-Cafn has been nominated as a platform has been refurbished by volunteers, including producing a hand-made replica of the station board which reflects the LNWR era. 

Over 100 nominations were whittled down to 48 by TV presenter Tim Dunn in the competition that was last held in 2019. They now face each other in a series of mini-battles to be crowned World Cup of Stations champion 2023.  
 
Each of the nominees are from one of 11 regions, with four bonus stations selected by Tim Dunn. 

People can vote for their favourite Scottish station on Wednesday 24 May via #WorldCupofStations or @RailDeliveryGrp. 

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Day in, day out stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities and this year during Community Rail Week, we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales, including Conwy, Tal-y-Cafn, North Llanrwst and Llandudno.

“All of the stations are making a positive impact on their local community, whether that’s supporting local businesses, being used for a social space or making the local environment better by being more sustainable, whatever they’re doing to make a difference, we want to celebrate.” 

Tim Dunn, TV presenter and shortlist judge, said: “I had the tricky task of selecting the shortlist of 48 stations - tricky, because it represents the work of 48 groups of chuffing ace volunteers.  

“The time, energy and love each group gives is because of a love of our shared railway and their communities too. It might seem bonkers, but this competition showcases the hard work of hundreds countrywide, then amplifies and celebrates all in community rail. Remember: like a football World Cup, the winners each day need more and more support - in every battle, it's the one with the most votes who wins!” 

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “Community Rail partnerships and thousands of ‘station friends’ volunteers the length and breadth of Britain are mobilising en masse, engaging local people and partners to raise awareness about sustainable travel by rail, and get people enthused about its many benefits.” 

Over 1,200 stations across Britain are supported by station adoption groups, made up entirely of volunteers, that help to make stations welcoming and safe, bring people together and add value to their communities. Often the work of these groups extends beyond basic upkeep, incorporating community gardening and food growing, local arts projects, and workshops and visits with children and young people. 

We received more than 100 nominations for stations to feature in this year's competition, recognising the efforts of so many across the country in the following categories:  

• Creating social spaces – stations rejuvenated by local adoption groups who are creating spaces for the local community   
• Supporting local business – adoption groups using station spaces to host and celebrate local businesses  
• Education stations – educational spaces and workshops arranged by adoption groups held in their station   
• Tourism stations – adoption groups using their station to promote local attractions 
• Sustainable stations – environmental efforts by local community groups to improve their station’s green credentials