Severn Valley Railway wins four accolades at the Heritage Railway Association Awards after challenging month

The heritage railway was also 'highly commended' in two categories during a successful night at the awards and dinner in Newcastle that honoured the "outstanding achievements" of railways, tramways, cliff railways, rolling stock groups and heritage rail people.

Severn Valley Railway's (SVR) success comes after a serious landslip occurred on their heritage line on January 30, leaving the track impassable and a hefty repair bill.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for the heritage railway since.

At the awards, veteran Severn Valley Railway supporter and volunteer, David Williams won a lifetime achievement award, becoming the 'Railway Magazine Preservationist of the Year' for 2025.

David has been involved with SVR since its early days and served as editor of its supporter publication SVR News, as well volunteering as a locomotive driver and holding positions on the heritage railway's board. 

The SVR-based 'Traction Group' also received the 'Rail Express Modern Traction Award'. 

The award recognised its long and continuing involvement with the preservation of main line diesel.

Meanwhile, the small but loved and cared-for Eardington station near Bridgnorth scooped 'Station of the Year'. 

It re-opened to passengers after more than four decades in 2023, and is unique for being the only remaining station that is lit entirely by oil and paraffin.

And, the SVR was also a joint-winner of the 'Achievement of the Year' award for its partnership with Network Rail. 

Most recently, the first and only partnership of its kind, has seen Network Rail engineers assist with investigations into the SVR’s significant landslip towards the northern end of its line. 

The heritage line recently revealed that engineers have found two possible solutions to repair the damage caused by this month's landslip - but added that the job "isn’t a thing we can rush".

The SVR has also provided training and testing facilities and volunteering opportunities for Network Rail employees.

Managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster was delighted with the SVR’s achievements, saying: "What a result! To get this level of recognition across so many different categories, says a huge amount about the breadth and depth of talent at the Severn Valley Railway. 

"In this, our 60^th year as a preserved line, we can be very proud that we continue to honour the devotion and passion of the SVR pioneers who started it all back in 1965."

Receiving the 'Achievement of the Year' award alongside Jonathan was Network Rail's Central route director Denise Wetton.

She added: "It’s fantastic that Severn Valley Railway’s partnership with Network Rail has been recognised with this award. Communities and heritage rail are so important to Central route, and we are proud to help support both with this unique relationship.

"There have been many benefits already, with the past and present railway working together to build an even better future. We’ve some great things in the pipeline and I’m excited to see the partnership develop even further."

Furthermore there was success for some of the SVR's volunteers.

21-year-old Jack Baldwin who volunteers in the heritage railway's diesel depot was 'highly commended' as 'Young Volunteer of the Year'.

Meanwhile, the SVR's restored Stanier Mogul No 13268 was also 'highly commended' in the 'Steam Locomotion' category.

Speaking on the SVR's achievements, the Heritage Railway Association's (HRA) chief executive, Steve Oates said: "After a week or two dominated by challenging news, it was fantastic that the HRA annual awards could focus on the brilliant restorations, innovative thinking and of course fantastic people that make the Severn Valley Railway so special.

"Each of the awards that the Severn Valley team took home were thoroughly deserved and demonstrate the depth of talent that the railway has."