‘A1’S’ DOUBLE WIN AT HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION AWARDS
In recognition of Tornado’s Settle & Carlisle ‘Plandampf’ and 100mph runs in 2017, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has won the Heritage Railway Association/ Steam Railway Magazine Award. The builders of the new Peppercorn ‘A1’ 4‑6‑2 also picked up the Coiley Award, given to outstanding locomotive engineering projects, for its achievement in certifying No. 60163 for 90mph running on the main line. The awards ceremony, hosted by Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway General Manager Paul Lewin at the Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, on February 10, also heralded the appearance of two new HRA Awards – the Morgan Award for Outstanding Achievement, and one for Outstanding Visitor Attraction. Winner of the Morgan Award was the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, for its replica Baldwin 2‑4‑2T No. 762 Lyn and train of restored L&B carriages; the Outstanding Visitor Attraction award went to both Beamish Museum and the Perrygrove Railway. There were also two winners of the Manisty Award – one of the preservation movement’s most prestigious honours, given only irregularly when the judging committee feel there is a worthy candidate. The two such organisations were the Swanage Railway, for returning passenger services to Wareham, and the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, for its new museum and engineering facility at Whitehead. Another new museum, at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, won the HRA’s Annual Award for Large Groups, while the corresponding Award for Small Groups went to Glenfinnan Railway Museum. The HRA Special Award was won posthumously by Bill Askew for his long and dedicated service, most notably as HRA Events Manager. The Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Railway Preservation was won by Mervyn Allcock, for his efforts to save and restore Barrow Hill Roundhouse.