Severn Valley Railway on track to scoop four heritage awards

The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has been nominated for four leading industry awards.

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The SVR has been shortlisted in four categories for the prestigious Heritage Railway Association awards for 2025, which recognise excellence and innovation across the heritage rail sector.

The heritage line's Stanier Mogul No 13268 is in the running for the Steam Locomotive Award. The 90-year-old locomotive returned to service in spring 2024, following an overhaul that saw many engineering challenges overcome.

Heritage diesel locomotive 'Western Courier' at Eardington station. DAVID BISSETT — Heritage diesel locomotive 'Western Courier' at Eardington station. Photo: David Bissett

The SVR’s landmark partnership with Network Rail (NR) has been shortlisted for the Achievement of the Year category, a new award, which generated the largest number of entries for any single category. The partnership began in 2023, and has brought many benefits. For example, the SVR has acquired surplus NR items such as track and buffer stops, as well as significant volunteer input from NR employees, whilst NR has made extensive use of the heritage line for training purposes.

Jack Baldwin, shortlisted for the HRA Lord Falconer Young Volunteer of the Year award. SVR — Jack Baldwin, shortlisted for the HRA Lord Falconer Young Volunteer of the Year award. Photo: SVR

The SVR’s smallest station at Eardington is on the shortlist for Station of the Year. In September 2023, Eardington reopened to stopping trains for the first time in more than 40 years. It’s the only station in the UK lit entirely by oil, and it has never had an electricity supply installed. A dedicated team of volunteers looks after and preserves the unique history of the tiny station building, which is more than a century and a half old.

Volunteers from Network Rail building a volunteer's shower block at the SVR as part of the partnership between the two organisations. — Volunteers from Network Rail building a volunteer's shower block at the SVR as part of the partnership between the two organisations

Finally, one of the SVR’s volunteers has been shortlisted for the Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer of the Year award. Jack Baldwin, 21, has played a leading role in the railway’s ongoing project to convert a former diesel shunter into a hydrogen-powered vehicle, in partnership with Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions.

Recently overhauled locomotive No 13268 is shortlisted for the HRA's Steam Locomotive award. KEVIN WHITEHURST — Recently overhauled locomotive No 13268 is shortlisted for the HRA's Steam Locomotive award. Photo: Kevin Whitehurst

The SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said: "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 60^th anniversary in preservation, and it will be a huge moment for everyone associated with the SVR!"

Heritage Railway Association chief executive, Steve Oates, added: "We’ve never received so many entries for the HRA Awards, despite the huge challenges being faced by heritage railways right now. It’s testament to just how much brilliant work is going on and there is a lot for the whole sector to be very proud of.

"It’s a special year with the Railway 200 celebrations, so this event is going to be an absolute mustn’t miss – we’re expecting the biggest turnout ever."

Winners will be announced at an HRA awards ceremony on Saturday, February 8.