The Middleton Railway has won the prestigious Innovation Award presented by the Heritage Railway Association, the trade body for all heritage railways in the UK.
The railway has pioneered the role of Almoner, someone dedicated to looking after the welfare of members who for many reasons including health, age and distance from the railway are now unable to attend and work as volunteers on a regular basis. Mrs Francis Bailey keeps in touch with these members and organises an annual gathering at Moor Road where former volunteers can come and enjoy a ride on the train and see colleagues with whom they have worked in the past.
Heritage Railway Association judges were most impressed by this initiative and awarded the Innovation Award to the Middleton Railway.
A second entry into the HRA Awards was a project to restore the UK’s smallest standard gauge diesel locomotive ‘Sweet Pea’ to working order.
This small machine has been fully restored to the condition as it left the works of the Hunslet Engine Company back in 1935, which has included remanufacturing doors for the bonnet covering the engine and also sourcing an original klaxon which was used instead of a horn to warn people of the locomotive when in use.
What makes this restoration so special is that it was masterminded and overseen by 19 year old Geordie Brown, who commenced the restoration at the age of 16. As part of the project he also did a great amount of research, which has been used to produce a booklet about the locomotive’s use at Courage’s brewery in Alton, Hampshire and its subsequent preservation in Leeds.
Whilst in service at Alton, the brewery produced a pub sign featuring their locomotive and Geordie arranged for this original sign to be displayed at Moor Road during 2025.
The project was recognised as a runner up in the Diesel & Electric restoration category.
MRT Chairman, Charles Milner said:
“We are delighted that our railway has been recognised for the hard work involved in both these roles. The result is a tribute to the hard work our volunteers have carried out and we are delighted this work was recognised with a prize at the awards at Llandudno on March 7th this year.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Middleton Railway
Main photo L-R: The CEO of MERAC Ltd, the sponsor of the award; Ian Smith, Vice President, MRT; Janet Auckland, Commercial Director, MRT; Frances Bailey, MRT Almoner the role for which this was awarded; and Geordie Brown, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, MRT.
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