2024 has been a blockbuster year for heritage steam, whether it is the completion of not one but two standard gauge new-build locomotives, the return to steam of engines that have spent decades on the side lines, or the opening of a railway’s extension – the last 12 months have had the lot. So much so that whittling down the list of potential candidates for the Steam Railway readers’ award was an immense challenge, with over 20 possible nominees in the running at one point. Therefore, if your railway, organisation or project did not make the shortlist then we can only apologise, but the competition was fierce. If anything, such an abundance of award-worthy projects shows just how vibrant the preservation movement is right now, despite the many storms it has been forced to weather in recent years.
Ahead of the Heritage Railway Association’s annual awards ceremony in February, we are once again calling on you, our loyal readers, to choose the winner of the coveted Steam Railway magazine award. Remember, this is the only HRA award decided by you, so make sure you vote, make your voice heard, and celebrate the preservation industry’s finest accomplishments from the last 12 months. To the candidates, we wish you the very best of luck; you are all worthy of winning and to be shortlisted is an achievement in itself.
These are the nominees in alphabetical order:
6880 Betton Grange Society for the completion of 81st Collett ‘Grange’ No. 6880 Betton Grange.
The Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group for the resurrection of LBSCR ‘H2’ No. 32424 Beachy Head.
The Bluebell Railway for the restoration and conversion of 1923-built Third Class Pullman Car No. 54 as Britain’s first wheelchair-accessible Pullman vehicle.
The Carmyllie Pilot Company for returning Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 46464 to steam for the first time since 1980 at the Strathspey Railway.
The Ffestiniog Railway for the overhaul and re-boilering of ‘Quarry Hunslet’ Velinheli/Felinheli.
The Fisher family for the overhaul and re-boilering of De Winton 0-4-0VBT Chaloner and reversion to as-built condition.
Locomotive Services Group for the £5 million overhaul of LNER ‘A2’ No. 60532 Blue Peter.
The Northampton & Lamport Railway for the completion of its long-awaited southern extension to Boughton.
The Swanage Railway for its record-breaking ‘Strictly Bulleid II’ gala and first gathering of eight Bulleid ‘Pacifics’ since the end of Southern Region steam.
The Vale of Rheidol Railway for its restoration and transformation of the former GWR standard gauge shed at Aberystwyth into a flexible, undercover exhibition space.
Cast your vote below
Votes close Friday 10th January 2025 11:59pm.