Avanti West Coast invites public to capture spirit of rail route with new photography competition

• Avanti West Coast launches Together We Roll Photography Competition
• Public invited to capture spirit of communities across West Coast as UK marks 200^th anniversary of railway
• Competition aims to highlight role railway plays in connecting people and places

Avanti West Coast is inviting keen photographers to capture the spirit of communities across its route as part of a unique competition to celebrate the local people and places.

The Together We Roll Photography Competition is encouraging professional, emerging, and amateur photographers to share an image that perfectly captures the spirit of a community to the West Coast Main Line.  

It is designed to acknowledge the role the railway plays in connecting people and places, as the UK marks 200 years of the modern railway.

Whether it is cultural heritage, personal interactions or celebrations, the intercity operator wants to showcase the people and places, while recognising their connection to the railway during this anniversary year.

The competition follows the launch of the train operator’s Together We Roll train wrap – a bespoke artwork created by digital artist, Baraka Carberry, that celebrates the ethnicity of employees and communities across its network and underpinned by its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.

The competition opens on 18 November and closes on 14 December 2025. Entries can be submitted for the following categories: Emerging artists; Amateur photographers; Professional photographers; and Our People.

Successful entrants will have their work shown as part of a presentation during a private event hosted by Avanti West Coast at The National Gallery in London, as well as published in Modern Railways Magazine, displayed at stations on the West Coast Main Line and receive a pair of First Class tickets.

A judging panel, including Baraka Carberry, professional photographers, and railway journalists will choose the winning entries, forming a collection of images that showcase communities across the West Coast. 

Jo MacPhail, People Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “Our Together We Roll train wrap is all about celebrating the people who live and work on the West Coast Main Line and with 2025 being a special year for the railway we felt it was a great opportunity to capture the spirit of communities across our route.

“This competition is designed to showcase the vibrant towns, cities, as well as people we serve and celebrate their connection to the railway through the lens of keen photographers. We hope to capture a unique snapshot of the West Coast that can be enjoyed by the millions of people who travel through our stations each year.”

Baraka Carberry said: “I am so excited to take part in judging for this competition. I cannot wait to see people celebrate culture celebration and joy through art! It feels like everything has come full circle and now the public is part of this “Together we Roll” artistic process! Just remember to stay unique and true to yourself because no one else can but you.” 

For more information and to enter, visit: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/together-we-roll
  
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