Train operator Avanti West Coast has launched a photography competition dubbed ‘Together We Roll’, with the aim of celebrating local people and places along its route.

The competition invites snappers to submit an image that “perfectly captures the spirit of a community to the West Coast Main Line”.

The competition runs from Tuesday, 18 November until Sunday, 14 December 2025. Entries will be sorted into four categories:

• Emerging artists
• Amateur photographers
• Professional photographers
• Our People.

The operator’s aim in launching the competition is to acknowledge the role that the railway plays in connecting people and places. It also forms part of its celebration of the bicentenary of the modern railway.

Avanti says that it is looking forward to receiving entries that reflect cultural heritage, personal interactions or celebrations, and which showcase the people and places in a way that recognises their connection to the railway.

The competition comes after Avanti West Coast launched a Together We Roll train wrap earlier this year. The wrap, created by Midlands-based, British-Guyanese digital artist Baraka Carberry, celebrates the diversity of workers and communities across the operator’s network. Commissioning the train wrap formed part of the company’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.

The operator’s previous train wraps include a Pride train in 2020.

The competition will be judged by a panel, including Baraka Carberry, professional photographers, and railway journalists.

Winning photographs will be published in Modern Railways Magazine and will be displayed at stations on the West Coast Main Line. They will also be included in a presentation during a private event, which Avanti West Coast will host at The National Gallery in London.

Winners will receive a pair of First Class tickets.

“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.”

Jo MacPhail, People Director at Avanti West Coast