Severn Valley Railway Gains Recognition with Four Prestigious Awards

David Williams won a big award. He is the Railway Magazine Preservationist of the Year for 2025. He supported the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) for a long time. For 57 years, he edited the publication SVR News. He also drove trains and served on the board.

The Diesel Traction Group won an award too. It is the Rail Express Modern Traction Award. This recognizes their diesel train preservation work. Jonathan Dunster, SVR’s manager, was very happy. He said the awards show SVR’s amazing talent.

The SVR celebrates 60 years. They honor the founders from way back in 1965. Eardington Station also received an award. It is the Station of the Year award. It reopened in 2023 after 40 years. This station is unique. Oil lamps and paraffin lamps light the station.

SVR jointly won Achievement of the Year. They partnered with Network Rail. This is the only such partnership in the UK. They cooperate in many ways. Network Rail helped with the landslip issue. SVR offers Network Rail training and volunteers.

Denise Wetton of Network Rail was pleased. She accepted the award with Gus Dunster. She stated heritage rail is very important. She is glad to support this special relationship. There are great benefits already. She looks forward to its future growth.

Jack Baldwin was commended as Young Volunteer of the Year. He works in the diesel depot. Also, Stanier Mogul No 13268 was commended. It happened in the Steam Locomotion category.

Steve Oates is the HRA chief executive. He said the awards show the railway’s special qualities. He noted the SVR team deserved the awards. This displayed the railway’s deep talent.