Severn Valley Railway shortlisted in four categories in next year’s heritage awards

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Severn Valley Railway shortlisted in four categories in next year’s heritage awards

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Heritage diesel locomotive 'Western Courier' at Eardington station. DAVID BISSETT
"Western Courier' at Eardington station. // Credit: David Bissett

The has been shortlisted in four in next year’s prestigious , which recognise excellence and innovation across the heritage rail sector.

The nominations follow this year’s awards, when the railway came away with three top awards and was highly commended in two other categories.

Recently overhauled locomotive No 13268 is shortlisted for the HRA's Steam Locomotive award. KEVIN WHITEHURST
Stanier Mogul No. 132698. // Credit: Kevin Whitehurst

In line for the Steam Locomotive Award is Stanier 2-6-0 No 13268. That was built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1934, and after an extensive overhaul that included overcoming many engineering challenges, it returned to service on the Severn Valley Railway last spring.

Building on the Severn Valley Railway’s landmark partnership with Network Rail, it has been shortlisted in the Achievement of the Year category. This is a new award and attracted more entries than any other category.

The railway’s partnership with Network Rail began in 2023 and has resulted in many benefits to both organisations.

The railway has acquired surplus Network Rail items such as track and buffer stops, and Network Rail employees have also volunteered their time, whilst Network Rail has made extensive use of the railway for training purposes.

On the shortlist for Station of the Year is the railway’s smallest station at , which reopened to stopping trains in September 2023 for the first time in more than 40 years.

It has never had an electricity supply, and is Britain’s only station to be lit entirely by oil, The tiny station building, which is over 150-years old, and is looked after by a dedicated team of volunteers who preserve its unique history.

Volunteers from Network Rail building a volunteer's shower block at the SVR as part of the partnership between the two organisations. NR
Network Rail volunteers building a shower block at the Severn Valley Railway. // Credit: Network Rail

Shortlisted for the Lord Faulkner Young of the Year is Jack Baldwin, aged 21, one of the Severn Valley Railway’s young volunteers.

Jack has played a leading role in in partnership with Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions in a project to convert a diesel shunter into a hydrogen-powered vehicle.

The award winners will be announced at the Heritage Railway Association awards dinner on Saturday, 8th February 2025.

Despite the enormous challenges faced by heritage railways, there were a large number of entries for the awards. With 2025 marking the Railway 200 celebrations, the event will surely be popular and the association is expecting its biggest-ever turnout.’

Jack Baldwin, shortlisted for the HRA Lord Falconer Young Volunteer of the Year award. SVR
Jack Baldwin, shortlisted for the Lord Falconer Young Volunteer of the Year award. // Credit: Severn Valley Railway

‘We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted across such a wide range of categories for the 2025 HRA awards. The SVR is a renowned centre of excellence and innovation, as well as somewhere to visit for a thoroughly great day out. I’m extremely proud of the work that we do here, and the impressive dedication of people across the whole railway. Next year, we’ll celebrate our 60th anniversary in preservation, and it will be a huge moment for everyone associated with the SVR”

Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, Severn Valley Railway managing director

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