Over the weekend, the Middleton Railway won an award at the Heritage Railway Association awards.

The Railway won ‘Innovation of the Year’ for their Almoner role, which looks after the welfare of members who can no longer attend and volunteer.

With the role holder, Mrs Francis Bailey, ensuring former volunteers remain connected, seeing them visiting the railway for a journey on the railway and speaking to other members.

They were also Highly Commended for their work on restoring the standard-gauge diesel locomotive “Sweet Pea”, which was also runner-up in the Diesel & Electric restoration category.

The locomotive is now fully restored and practically as good as new, as it was when it left the Hunslet Engine Company in 1935.

19-year-old Geordie Brown oversaw the restoration and research, having been just 16 when restoration first began.

“We are delighted that our railway has been recognised for the hard work involved in both these roles. The result is a tribute to the hard work our volunteers have carried out and we are delighted this work was recognised with a prize at the awards at Llandudno on March 7th this year.”

MRT Chairman, Charles Milner