A Bulleid ‘Pacific’, a narrow gauge gunpowder van and the newest station in the UK are among dozens of projects, people and achievements that have made it onto the shortlist for the HRA Annual Awards 2026.
The shortlist covers awards in areas as diverse as infrastructure, steam locomotive restoration and events, alongside categories for teams, rising stars and young volunteers. A panel of judges made up of industry experts and leading journalists from the sector whittled down a record 110 entries to create the shortlist. The judging panel was chaired by the National Railway Museum’s Anthony Coulls.
Heritage Railway Association Chief Executive, Steve Oates, said: “This has already been the most hotly contested HRA Awards ever, with entries comfortably breaking through the 100 figure for the first time. The judging panel really did have their work cut out to whittle that down to a shortlist – even though it is the biggest and most comprehensive shortlist we’ve ever seen.
“Even in a year that has been incredibly challenging for heritage rail thanks to the ongoing economic climate, there have been so many stunning projects completed and so many people standing out for their exceptional contributions. It’s really impressive to see and speaks loudly about just how resilient and determined heritage railways and tramways are. It’s been an outstanding year truly worthy of Railway 200.”
 |
 |
 |
 |
Always one of the most talked about categories, the Steam Locomotive Award will this year be competed by an unusually diverse range of finalists. Watercress Line-based Bulleid’ ‘Merchant Navy’ Class ‘Pacific’ No. 35005 Canadian Pacific, former South African Railways ‘NG15’ Class 2-8-2 No. 134 on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, Barclay fireless locomotive Boots No. 1 based at the West Somerset Railway, and the diminutive 2ft gauge Telford Town Tram.
Meanwhile in the Diesel and Electric category, the contenders are no less varied. Great Central Railway Class 27 No. 27056, will go up against Isle of Wight Steam Railway based Class 03 No. 03179 Clive, Motor Rail Simplex pair Morris and Ubique from the Chasewater Railway, Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel mechanical works No. 1786 of 1935 from the Middleton Railway.
The shortlist for the Rolling Stock Award includes the replica gunpowder van built by the Talyllyn Railway’s young members group, the Severn Valley Railway’s conversion of Great Western Railway carriage into an accessible buffet car, the Bala Lake Railway’s replica Penrhyn saloon carriage, and the Bluebell Railway’s restoration of Southern Railway ‘Hastings’ line brake carriage No. 3687.
The recently introduced Station of the Year category has four on the shortlist this year. The Cambrian Heritage Railway’s Oswestry station, Blue Anchor station on the West Somerset Railway, Sherringham Station on the North Norfolk Railway and Seathorne Bank station on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway – the newest heritage rail station in the UK.
The National Railway Museum’s refurbishment and reinterpretation of Station Hall in York, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s ‘predict and prevent’ asset management, the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway’s ‘Independent Line’ project and Peak Rail’s traditional locomotive watering facility have all made the shortlist in the Infrastructure Award.
In the Achievement of the Year category, no less than five projects made the shortlist for the first time. They were North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group’s replacement of a cylinder on their ‘Q6’ locomotive, Seaton Tramway’s new Jurassic Discovery attraction, the Downpatrick and County Down Railway for their ‘Moyexit’ rescue of four diesel locomotives, the Vale of Rheidol Railway for their ‘Collection X’ project, and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways for the interpretation and restoration of Boston Lodge.
The Event of the Year category is new for the 2026 HRA Awards and generated a huge amount of interest. Again, no fewer than five entries made it through to the shortlist. They are the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for its Railway Children Theatre Show, Hampton and Kempton Waterworks Railway for its Railway 200 event, the Talyllyn Railway for its Awdry Extravaganza, the Bluebell Railway for its Railway 200 events, and the Tanfield Railway for its 300th anniversary celebrations.
The shortlist for the Innovation of the Year category features the Kent and East Sussex Railway for their gaming train, the Middleton Railway for the introduction of an almoner role, the Severn Valley Railway for its Boogie Lights Express train, and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for The Christmas Carol Theatre Production.
A growing element of the HRA Annual Awards are the people related categories. The longstanding Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer of the Year will be as hard fought as ever with four outstanding candidates making the shortlist this time. Samuel Jones from the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway, Ben Wilson from the Tanfield Railway, Jamie Taylor from the Fife Heritage Railway, and Shea McKee from the Downpatrick and County Down Railway are all finalists.
The Downpatrick and County Down Railway will also be competing in the Rising Star category too with 26-year-old compliance officer Christopher McCausland. He will be up against Watercress Line Education and Outreach Coordinator, Daniel Ball; North Yorkshire Moors Railway mechanical apprentice Charlie Bauckham, Severn Valley Railway project leader Jack Baldwin, and Lynton and Barnstable Railway event and marketing coordinator, Rebecca Paterson.
The Team of the Year category also has a strong shortlist. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway’s Catering Team, the Southern Electric Traction Group, Isle of Wight Steam Railway Events Team, and Great Central Railway-based Heavy Tractor Group, will all be hoping to pick up the award.
Arguably the most sought-after prize at the HRA Annual Awards though is the Railway of the Year honour. Four very different railways will each be hoping to take home the title … The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Seaton Tramway, Tanfield Railway, and Vale of Rheidol Railway will all have their fingers crossed for glory.
In addition to the 12 categories available for entries, the Heritage Railway Association has three special awards categories which are only given to exceptional projects and achievements. The Manisty Award for excellence, the Chairman’s Special Award, and the Railway 200 Award are all expected to be presented on the evening too – the first time that all three awards have been given in the same year.
The HRA Annual Awards are the biggest and most prestigious in the heritage rail world. The winners will be revealed at a high-quality event in the Welsh coastal resort of Llandudno during March 2026 with tickets on sale via the HRA website shortly.
Back