Andy Coward Editor
In early December I attended the annual National Railway Heritage Awards in London, where restoration and conservation projects from across the national rail network – also in preservation and even on closed routes and stations – are celebrated. You can read about the worthy winners on pages 16/17.
This is the second time I have been invited to this fantastic celebration of our rich railway heritage and it is clear that all of the entries – both winners and those shortlisted – were fantastic examples of what can be done with time, effort, money, and the will to make something better.
Across the railway and on former railway routes that have long since closed are structures and buildings lying out of use, decaying, or abandoned, and every year numerous restoration projects take place, either to improve them for present-day passengers, for alternative uses, or simply to stop the rot and prevent them from being lost forever.
The awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of the passion and dedication within the rail industry – as well as other organisations, independent companies, and even individuals – who have recognised the importance of celebrating heritage and improving railway assets that have seen better days.
Obviously, only the winners or highlighted entries that were shortlisted were part of the ceremony at the Merchants Taylors’ Hall; many more were submitted. This highlights the sheer number of projects underway, which remain at a healthy level despite the many challenges faced in the current economic climate.
We should be proud of our rich railway heritage and be thankful to those who can turn a liability into an asset that benefits the railway, its users, and the wider community. I certainly am.
Coming up in this issue
As well as all the latest news and developments from around the national rail network and our heritage railways, Anthony Sayer brings us the story behind the export of 16 former Freightliner Class 86/6 electric locomotives to Bulgaria
