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THE Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2025 saw the biggest-ever number of entries in its history, produced many stupendous and richly deserving winners, as listed in Headline News, pages 8-11. It came as no surprise to many that first place in the Steam Locomotive Award category went to the recreation of Brighton H2 Atlantic No. 32424 Beachy Head, a guaranteed crowd-puller since its launch last summer. Who would have dared dream for a minute when the volunteer-led operational heritage sector began nearly three-quarters of a century ago with the saving on the Talyllyn Railway? Then there were double awards for the magnificent Hopetown Darlington attraction, including one from this magazine, and also for the Downpatrick & County Down Railway for its heroic work in recovering from flood devastation. The keynote to…
THE Severn Valley Railway received reports on January 29 regarding an embankment slippage near Sterns, severing the line between Eardington and Hampton Loade stations. This latest slip came as a surprise, because this particular section of line had not been of concern. The precise location of the slip is where Mor Brook runs underneath a hidden bridge which supports the railway. Hay Bridge, a popular photographic location, is about 100 yards north. Previous landslips had taken place at Sterns where a 5mph speed restriction has been in place south of Sterns Cottage in the direction of Hampton Loade station. This section is continually monitored due to the close proximity of the River Severn and is unaffected; however, recent heavy and continual rain has left the land saturated. Line divided The…
RESTORATION of a 5BEL Pullman EMU may be something that has slipped under the radar for some observers, but its sudden appearance on the main line at the end of January saw enthusiasts look to Chester as the first test runs were carried out. Launched in 2008 to return one of these luxurious dining trains to main line service, the 5BEL Trust has worked with Ramparts Engineering and Locomotive Services Limited to restore four vehicles to operational condition, with work on a fifth due to be started soon to bring the train back to its original five-car formation. The ‘Brighton Belle' units comprised three sets of five-car EMUs introduced by the Southern Railway in 1932 for the prestigious London-Brighton dining service. Initially operated under the name ‘Southern Belle,' it was…
BRITAIN'S newest steam locomotive, the replica of Brighton Atlantic No. 32424 Beachy Head, the new Hopetown Darlington visitor attraction, the expansion of the National Railway Museum's Locomotion site in Shildon and Cornwall's multi-gauge Lappa Valley Railway were among the winners at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2025. More than 200 staff and volunteers from heritage railways, tramways and rolling stock groups came together at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead for the awards evening on Saturday, February 8. The Railway 200-themed event, sponsored by Fox and Edwards Events, celebrated the largest shortlist ever seen for the awards, which recognise excellence or innovation in almost every aspect of heritage railway and tramway restoration, preservation and operation. The judging was carried out by a panel of experts from the sector, chaired by the…
ALONGSIDE the 12 categories open to nominations from the heritage rail sector each year, the HRA Awards has two discretionary awards for outstanding projects or people. This year, the winners both had distinct Railway 200 links. The Manisty Award for Excellence went to the National Railway Museum, in its 50th anniversary year, for its expansion of the Locomotion site in Shildon with the New Hall, together with the dedicated work of the teams responsible for moving and caring for its collections, and the ongoing transformation of its main site in York (see News, pages 18/19). Hopetown Darlington was awarded the Railway 200 Special Award for the transformation and expansion of Darlington's Head of Steam museum. The historic North Road site in the town, which has long been a focus of…
A NEW definitive public online database of every diesel, electric and gas turbine locomotive that has run on the national network from the 1890s through to the very latest changes in stock each month has been launched by the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. All renumbering, naming and disposal information is included in the Modern Traction Locomotive Database, and each reallocation and explanatory notes where appropriate. Its unique feature is that searches can be made by number, number range, class and so on, as well as by name, and there is a ‘free text' search for disposal and preservation information. The database, accessible to all at locodata.org.uk, can be used to find details of every locomotive allocated to a particular depot or a combination of depots over any specified time period, and…
