Railway Mission
The Railway Mission is a British organization that helps people who work in the rail industry. It began in 1881 and used to run mission halls at stations. Today it runs a chaplaincy service for the rail industry and the British Transport Police through the National Rail Chaplaincy Service (NRCS). It works with London City Mission and is a main partner in the NRCS, which has about 25 full-time chaplains across mainland Britain.
In the early days there were mission halls at stations, such as Bury St Edmunds (completed in 1900) and Salisbury (1906). There is also a Railway Mission chapel that is now the Prince of Wales Road Evangelical Church in Norwich.
The mission’s goal is the moral and spiritual advancement of railway employees of all ages. It provides independent, confidential support to any rail worker, active or retired, at home, in hospital, or at work. Rail organisations have supported the work for more than a century, and it is funded by railways and by individual donations. Its strap line is “Meeting People… Meeting Needs.”
Chaplains offer help with problems like marriage breakdown, illness, bereavement, and substance issues, and they work alongside employers’ welfare services. The Railway Mission provides a 24/7 service, ready for emergencies and urgent advice.
The International Railway Mission (IRM) is an interdenominational group that connects Christian fellowships with rail staff across Europe. It holds a conference every three years for members to share experiences and fellowship.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:46 (CET).