April 2020

The official journal of THE ASSOCIATION Issue 160

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Three general managers talk about coping with lockdown

New faces at the HRA!

COVID-19 Advice and guidance

Coal OFFERS 2020 Awards & winners update WANTS Chairman’s Briefing Dates for your Diary

Dear Member, November 2020 Right now, you’re trying to see the future for your railway, or your museum, your tramway, your cliff railway. When can you reopen? 10th Autumn Seminar How will finances look? How long will it take things to get back to 11th Autumn Management Forum normal?

You’re not alone. Thank goodness for the friendship and solidarity of the heritage railways movement. We’ve always been good at collaboration Inside this edition and sharing, from locomotives and rolling stock, through staff and equipment, to knowledge and ideas. I’m proud to say that the Chairman’s Briefing 2 Chief Exec’s Briefing 3 HRA has contributed to that solidarity and sharing. Today, we’re Covid -19 4 working even harder at our role of supporting all our members, Covid -19 HRA support 6 and helping you all to speak with one voice for the aid and Coal - latest news 10 consideration we’ll be needing over the weeks and months to Coal - key facts 13 come. New Faces at the HRA 14 Members News 15 We can’t help looking ahead. Many of you will be planning for a Friends Tour 16 long, dry season. And that’s wise work. But there’s also plenty of In Memoriam 17 important work to do today. Support Schemes 18 In this issue, you’ll find some interviews with General Managers, HRA Awards 2020 19 explaining how they’re responding to the current crisis. They have plenty of good advice. But they all say one thing. Keep in touch with your volunteers. Keep them engaged, keep them motivated. You’ll need them, up and running quickly, when restrictions are lifted. And, remember, for many of them, older-generation in particular, your railway may be one of the most useful and important parts of their lives. Your volunteers need as much care and protection as the locos you’ve now got locked away in their sheds. Those GMs also say communications are vital. Talk often with as many people in the organisation as you can. Through telephone, email, Skype and Facetime, and social media. That, way, everyone has the facts. Information stays accurate. People stay involved. And good ideas flow. Eleswhere in this issue, Steve Oates, our CEO, outlines the advice we’re compiling, and some of the actions we’re taking to identify help and support – of every kind – for members. Steve took a personal call from the Chairman of a couple of weeks ago. If needed, could the UK’s heritage railways provide experienced staff, to help run the nations railways? That call was an honour. It acknowledged the capabilities and professionalism of the people who run our member railways. Those are the qualities, along with good old-fashioned railwayman (and woman) resourcefulness and resilience, that will enable us to weather this storm. There will be some bruises on the way, but I have no doubt we’ll weather this storm, and emerge stronger and, eventually, even better than ever. Yours, Brian

Credit.

Page 2 News from Steve Oates - HRA Chief Executive

Looking back at those three immensely tough weeks in March, it’s all a bit of a blur isn’t it? But – somehow – the heritage rail sector worked through it.

The safety and wellbeing of staff and volunteers has been uppermost in everyone’s minds and measures had to be rapidly implemented to do all pos- sible to mitigate the impact on jobs and our businesses, and to protect infra- structure and assets.

Consequently, emergency business changes have been made, the majority of heritage rail staff are now furloughed, volunteers are at home in lockdown, and all railways and tramways are in ‘care and maintenance’ mode.

It’s now some five weeks since the full lockdown began. This period can best be described as one of the most difficult and testing times ever faced by heritage rail and, indeed, by business throughout the coun- try.

The Covid-19 pandemic is having, and will continue to have, a massive impact on the whole heritage sec- tor. While some issues are specific to heritage rail, many of the challenges facing our sector are similar to those faced by other businesses in heritage, culture and tourism. As your trade association, to assist and support you, the HRA continues to ensure that heritage rail’s voice is clearly heard by decision-makers, funders and other support bodies. In conjunction with other heritage and tourism bodies, our combined work has ensured government and others have put measures in place to help and support heritage rail and, where necessary, to refine business support measures to ensure they apply to heritage rail and other heritage businesses. With your help, we’re also compiling the information and data needed to ensure gov- ernment understand the long-term impact on our sector.

While the Covid-19 outbreak is devastating for heritage rail – and indeed for the whole tourism sector - now the initial ‘urgency’ has calmed down a little, there is still much to do. Those managers and staff still working are ploughing their way through a plethora of issues to ensure the nation’s heritage railways and tramways survive and are in the best possible position to rebound into life once ‘normal’ life resumes.

There are volunteers who want to get back into the workshops, onto the trains and out in the stations; and there will (soon) be people and families desperate for some leisure and entertainment time.

It is therefore essential we all use this time to our advantage – to spot and develop every opportunity that may arise. Heritage rail must do whatever it can to ensure our sector comes out the other side relatively intact and ready to grab those opportunities.

Over the past two months, every railway, tramway and cliff railway has had to think differently and radically to maximise its chances of survival.

That same radical thinking – and much new thinking – is now need- ed more than ever.

Heritage railways are not in com- petition with each other. The com- petition comes from every other tourism, cultural, leisure and her- itage attraction fighting for its sur- vival.

If ever there was a time for herit- age rail to work together, share ideas, deal with each other’s tech- nical and business questions, and speak as one voice, it’s now!

Credit. IWSR John Faulkner

Page 3 Useful Covid -19 links The HRA website has a page devoted to documents we hope you find useful in developing measures to help your organisations. Go to www.hra.uk.com/covid19-coronovirus

Until Further Notice ......

To say that the COVID-19 outbreak has hit Britain’s heritage railways hard is both obvious, and an understatement. Railways, tramways, cliff railways, museums, large and small, are wondering when they’ll emerge from the pandemic, and what shape they’ll be in when they do. Many are wondering if they will emerge at all. At times like these, there’s strength in numbers, and help through shared experience. Some heritage rail operators, by luck or judgement, have a clearer view of a way through than others. We’ve been talking to some, in order to help them share their views and insights. We’ll continue to gather, collate and promote input from across the HRA membership, but here are contributions from Emma Jhita, Chief Exec at the Railway Centre, Steve Backhouse, Isle of Wight Steam Railway General Manager, and Helen Smith, General Manager at the Severn Valley Railway. UFN

‘We have 27 staff and over 400 volunteers we don’t yet see a doomsday scenario – we here at Didcot. Following our shutdown, calculate we can cope for up to six months. But our immediate steps included upscaling our the longer we’re shut down, the harder it will be IT, to allow virtual meetings. It’s imperative to get back on our feet. We’ve issued a call for that we follow Government guidelines and donations– the opportunity to donate has always protect visitors, volunteers, staff and the wider been there on our website, and will remain. community and so we’ve spent time really understanding these guidelines, working on 1466 – the first locomotive in our collection – financial modelling, and developing ways of should be back in steam in time for our 60th maintaining our presence in the marketplace. anniversary celebrations in 2021. We have just Emma Jhita, launched a £60,000 appeal to complete the Chief Executive, We’re very mindful of the duty of care we restoration of 1466. We feel it is important to have towards our volunteers. Many are of the ask for support for a tangible project, at such older-generation. Some of them live alone. a challenging time. One that will undoubtedly The railway is often very important to them add long-term value. We are looking ahead to and many have been involved for decades re-opening and celebrating this milestone with and are very actively involved, especially on GWS members and the wider heritage rail operating days. Communications are vital if community. we’re to maintain a strong connection with our volunteers and, where possible, our aim is to Security is of course an area of focus. We have look to the medium and long-term in ensuring a 21 acre site which needs constant vigilance. a sustainable future for the Railway Centre. In addition to formal security measures, this Continued support from our volunteers is key to is where volunteers on their daily exercise are achieving this. helping, simply maintaining a presence, and keeping an eye on things. We’ve always placed Our current financial modelling looks at two, an emphasis on the value of our online presence three and four months ahead. However long our and have refocused our website so it remains shutdown lasts, we’ll experience a significant relevant whilst we’re closed. By ensuring we’re financial challenge. If we’re not open to the open to donations, should supporters/friends public, we’re able to reduce our variable costs wish to contribute, and by adding two new blogs and our fixed outgoings are relatively low. So ‘Tuesday Treasures’ and ‘Going Loco’, our aim

Page 4 is to launch initiatives now that we can continue after we re-open. Educational programmes have always been a mainstay of our offering, and we’ll keep on developing those, ready for re-opening. Our advice for others is: Carefully assess your outgoings, and reduce these wherever you can. Safety must be a priority, but a focus on keeping everyone, staff, volunteers, and those in the local and heritage community as connected and engaged as possible will provide important support – both through these challenging times and when we can once again open to the public.’ Steve Backhouse, General Manager, Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Helen Smith, General Manager, Severn Valley Railway ‘In the early stages of the pandemic, we as- What are our plans for getting back up and run- In my earlier career I was a crisis coordinator sumed we’d be able to carry on, in spite of los- ning? Once restrictions are lifted, we’re assum- in the travel industry, dealing with major ing some or all of our volunteers to stay-at-home ing people will be still cautious about travel and disruptions like 9/11 and Iceland’s volcanic ash practice or self-isolation. We have eight catering social activities. So we’re planning for a shoul- cloud. The rule is: act quickly, act calmly. At the UFN outlets, three shops and two pubs. The prospect der-period, supported by a limited timetable. It Isle of Wight, we succeeded in doing both – but of continuing income from those sources gave could turn out to be a bumper summer season – the crisis management curve has been steep, and us a false sense of security. When the need came many people won’t have booked holidays away. there’s been a lot to do. for a complete shut-down, we knew we’d need a Our events are major income earners. Our big We’ve closed until further notice, of course. fast and effective system for communicating and 50th anniversary celebration weekend was to be We’ve furloughed our 43 staff, and stood-down decision-making. We implemented the military- at the end of May. Rather than cancel it, we’ve our 400 or more volunteers. Communications style Gold, Silver and bronze crisis management moved it to later in the year. count, so we’re using telephones, our website, system. Facebook, and the communications tool We’ve learned a great deal about communica- on HOPS. Regular video messages to our The Gold Command team, which includes two tions, and the value of feedback. I’ve been in volunteers help to keep them feeling engaged Directors from our three organisations and daily contact with other General Managers, by with the rest of the team. our key senior managers, meets on-line for 15 phone, email and Linked In. The support and minutes at 0915 every morning, to review ‘what sharing of ideas and plans has been a huge help. We have five people working, on a rota. Even happened yesterday’ and ‘what do we need to When this is all over, we’ll be an even better and though the railway is in suspended animation, do today?’ Our Silver Command team includes stronger organisation as a result. the post and parts deliveries are still arriving. senior staff and our more vocal or influential And having someone on site is important for volunteers. Outcomes from those meetings are My advice? Make communications a priority, security. Everything valuable is now under lock then communicated to the Bronze team, made followed by security. Don’t be afraid to start and key, and the infrastructure will survive up of everyone else in the organisation. fundraising immediately. And, look beyond the untended. obvious talents in your volunteers. Many of At the Isle of Wight, we’re relatively lucky. So The system enables us to make decisions them have their own qualifications, experience far, the island has a low incidence of COVID-19 quickly, and to delegate authority to others to and ideas that aren’t normally needed in running (10 cases at the time of writing). And the make and implement their own decisions. a heritage railway – but which can be invaluable railway is very fortunate, in having a pretty We have 200 staff and some 1700 volunteers. at a time like this.’  healthy bank balance. With the government’s With such numbers, communications can be a furlough scheme, we can lower the payroll and massive challenge. The potential for rumours survive for up to 12 months. Our business very and misinformation can be significant. So the directly reflects the holiday seasons, so to date, need for good communications is critical. We we’ve suffered less damage than some railways. had help from our IT contractors, to enable 2021 will be our 50th anniversary, so we’re everyone to communicate through Office 365. holding-off a fund-raising appeal until then. Social media keeps us in touch with our own When the COVID-19 emergency passes, we can people, and with our supporters and potential be back running trains within 48 hours. We’ve visitors in the outside world. made provisional plans to move our spring and With no-one on site, security has been a major Easter events to later in the season. There could concern. The Bronze command team have im- be some real pent-up demand, or possibly a plemented a total security programme, increas- quieter start in a marketplace still nervous. We’ll ing our use of CCTV, locking every door and be monitoring the availability of our volunteers gate, even using once-a-day outdoor exercise – some may be able to return to the railway routines as an informal security patrols. very quickly, others may need longer. We’re expecting to have to feel our way back into full- Early on, we did our cashflow projections. We time business. know we’re going to need money - as much We’ve learned a lot: when something like as £250,000, so we immediately launched a this happens, stop everything, and reduce fund-raising programme. Already that’s showing costs. Keep talking, especially to volunteers success. And we’re pleased to have advice that – keep them engaged and involved. Always we can make use of the government’s furlough communicate clear definitive positions and scheme for our paid staff. actions – and stay calm.’ 

DO YOU WANT YOUR OWN COPY OF THIS NEWSLETTER? If you or your colleagues would like a copy please provide us with the email addresses you want to be used. Send details to:- [email protected] The next edition will be published in July 2020

Page 5 Covid-19

The ‘Updated’ HRA 12-step Business Resilience Action Plan

Two months on from the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, this updated checklist will help you to continually assess your position, maintain and refine your plan to cope with the impact on your business, and, in conjunction with our ‘Railway Revival Checklist’, to plan how to emerge fit and ready to get trains running again and to welcome visitors back to your railway.

We acknowledge that the HRA is made up of different styles and sizes of operators, and the items and information be- low will, for many, already be being addressed. While acknowledging we don’t know how long the lockdown is going to continue, from all viewpoints – whether governance, safety or commercial - it is important to discuss, understand and consider plans for various scenarios, perhaps based on lockdown being lifted in, say, June, August, October, or next year.

1. Begin by identifying all of the problems you are likely to face at every point … And, where necessary, think differently and think radically. 2. Brief your management team. Tell them everything you know about the current position. Give them a heads-up on the challenges you expect the business to face. Be open. This is nobody’s fault, there is no-one to blame. Don’t paint a rosy picture, if you don’t see one but, similarly, don’t be unduly negative. 3. Keep communications active. Make sure all your people, employees and volunteers are always as up-to-date as possible. Encourage input from volunteers in lockdown or self-isolation. Maintaining their engagement will aid their wellbeing, help them to continue to feel valued, and keep them motivated for their return 4. Keep your estimates of financial impact updated. Prepare ‘worst-case’ rolling cashflow projections based on different re-opening dates. Update them often, whenever any of the input data changes. Estimate all likely medi- um to long-term cuts which may be necessary. 5. Ensure you receive all available funding support. Check receipt of all government funds you are entitled-to. Apply where necessary. Where applicable, seek and apply-for grants from NLHF, ACE, your local authority and any other funding source. 6. Keep talking to your bank and key creditors. Ask for extensions to credit and delayed payments. Be honest with them. And don’t be afraid to ask simply for lower prices. If you don’t already have it, get expert help from business managers, accountants and your peers. 7. Check your capital expenditure projects. Do they need to be slowed-down, suspended, or ended? Check your variable costs. Can you reduce, delay, or even consider stopping them? Can you defer or cease non-essential spending? If income stops, what outgoings can be stopped? 8. Tighten your credit control (everyone else will be doing it). Make it a priority to press for every payment that is due or overdue. Look out for warning signs from significant debtors and press for payment immediately it’s due. If you’re receiving bookings, take deposits, nonrefundable. Offer to honour bookings if they are postponed, rather than cancelled. 9. Prepare a plan for re-opening and running. Write down everything to be considered. See the HRA 12-Point Railway Revival Checklist on the next page. 10. Be honest and objective about your current financial position. Take care to avoid putting good money after bad. Balance the cost of, say, full re-opening and un-furloughing all staff against the cost of simply running on tick-over while visitor numbers build. Make sure you have the clearest view of the worst case, and an equally clear plan to limit the damage. And be aware there may be fraudsters and opportunists seeking to gain from the situation. 11. Seek feedback from all your points of contact. Review all the actions you’ve taken to date. What’s worked? What hasn’t? What needs a different approach? What can be ticked-off the ‘Done’ list? What’s still be done? 12. . … And always remember the opportunities. Your heritage rail business almost certainly involves activity out- doors, or in large spaces, without dense crowds. You have appeal to a significant local audience, who don’t need to travel abroad, or even very far from their own community, to take time out to relax, learn and enjoy the heritage rail experience, without undue worry.

Page 6 Covid-19

The HRA 12-Point Railway Revival Checklist

When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, you’ll want to be back up and running as soon as possible. But, after such a sustained period of hibernation, some careful planning will be needed. Now’s the time to be thinking about ways of re-opening, so you’re ready whenever an announcement is made. Use this checklist to aid your preparations.

1. Find out what your local destination management organisation is doing or planning. What are nearby attractions doing or planning? What are nearby railways planning? Call them all, and share views. 2. Based on (1), discuss and agree what kind of return to normal is best for your railway. Should it be a ‘Big Bang’ return to 100% functioning? Or would a phased approach be more prudent? Factor in what you know about demand. Assess the impact on your bank account. Review those bookings you agreed to defer. Prepare more than one plan: best-case, middle-case and worst-case options, with different combinations of maximum numbers, social distance rules, manpower and rolling stock availability, and so on. Simply planning for the return of big crowds, then finding something different, might be costly, and will certainly be dispiriting. 3. Manage your resources. Work out whether you can reduce costs by using fewer or different locomotives and less rolling stock. Can you reduce costs by closing parts of your line, certain stations, or other parts of your site? What attractions will be most worth opening? How soon do you need to unfurlough staff? Can this be phased? 4. Find out how many of your volunteers are ready to return to their roles. Identify gaps in manpower needed and, where possible, reassign roles (see 5). If reliant on volunteers when re-opening, take into account that a good proportion may be over 70 and may not be willing or able to be on duty. Could you operate if volunteers are not available? 5. Keep safety central to all your plans. Review the need for training and refresher courses, especially for safety critical staff. Remember training requirements if deploying volunteers and staff to roles they’re less familiar with, or new to. Contact your boiler inspector. Make sure they’re willing and available to undertake any necessary work sooner, rather than later. 6. Assume that social distancing will still be required or, at least, preferred by your people and your visitors. Staff and volunteers assisting with preparations should follow government guidelines on social distancing, both to respect the safety of the volunteers and to avoid any adverse publicity if guidelines are breached. Consider how platforms, carriages and internal areas should be occupied. For example, can carriages be occupied using EasyJet’s empty middle- seat principle? 7. Plan operating days, events and timetables (see 2). Prepare timetables and a schedule of operating days that will deliver good value, but not over-burden your manpower or finances. Ensure your operating days and roster plan takes volunteer availability into account. Consider whether extending your season into the winter might be worthwhile. 8. Consider your rolling stock, track and infrastructure. Make sure you’ve fulfilled all your maintenance sched- ules. Make a list of everything that should be checked or inspected before operations begins. Manage any nec- essary work so that it can be carried out thoroughly, without pressure of urgent deadlines. 9. Identify the status of your critical supplies. The low stocks of coal or diesel, or soft drinks and confectionery in the restaurant, didn’t matter at the start of the lockdown. They do now. Form a stocktaking team to ensure you know what’s needed, in good time. Check on delivery times from your suppliers – they may well have been disrupted. And what safety and protective equipment might be needed? Is it available? 10. A lockdown in springtime means weed growth, uncut grass. Form a housekeeping team to check that every- where looks spick and span, from plants to paintwork to posters, and everything in its place. 11. Identify tasks normally undertaken by contractors. Limit them where possible and consider deploying extra volunteers, remembering that returning staff will already have plenty to focus on, to do the work. If you have furloughed staff, take the same approach. Can any preparation work be temporarily undertaken by volunteers? 12. Consider pricing and marketing activity. Are your suppliers up and running? How quickly can they respond with promotional materials and campaigns? Make sure you have a workable brief for them. Ensure your website is clear, simple to navigate and up-to-date. Develop some appealing offers and some compelling opportunities. Consider whether events normally staged in spring/summer might succeed in the autumn/winter. Although re- strictions may gradually be lifted, expect the market to respond with caution. Don’t just promote the short-term opportunities – have a new plan for Autumn, Winter and Spring ’21 in place, and start promoting those, too.

Page 7 Covid-19

Guidance on Mental Health and Wellbeing

While everyone is working hard to deal with the business and employment impacts of Coronavirus, one issue that can be overlooked is the impact on the mental health of business owners, employees and vol- unteers.

Everyone reacts differently but, during this time, you may be bored, frustrated, lonely, anxious, or be con- cerned about your health or that of those close to you.

It’s important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and to get further support if you need it, so the Government has produced guidance on what can help your mental health and wellbeing. This is set out under a number of key headings:

o Consider how to connect with others o Help and support others o Talk about your worries o Look after your physical wellbeing o Look after your sleep o Try to manage difficult feelings o Manage your media and information intake o Get the facts o Think about your new daily routine o Do things you enjoy o Set goals o Keep your mind active o Take time to relax and focus on the present o If you can, once a day get outside, or bring nature in

The guidance also considers practical issues and managing physical symptoms that are triggered by stress and anxiety.

The full guidance can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing

Credit. IWSR / John Faulkner

Page 8 to be heard in its own right, and that’s happening. At COVID-19: HRA ACTION other times, to maximise impact, we work with other heritage and tourism organisations through the Heritage Much of the HRA’s routine work can rightly Alliance and the Tourism Alliance, both of whom have well be described as behind-the-scenes. Your established direct channels into government – both at Association works steadily away at regulatory ministerial level and to advisors. We’re keeping everyone issues, health and safety issues, on commercial informed, with a steady stream of updates and newsletters matters, and more. The Coronavirus pandemic to all members, via email and the HRA website. hasn’t stopped any of that work happening. Some of it has been reprioritised, of course. And there’s a raft of other issues we’re working on now, But there’s also much work happening now, and will be for a while: business interruption insurance is less behind-the scenes, more front-of-house. a major item - are all insurers treating all claims as fairly as they should? What’s the best support for charitable Like every HRA member, in the latter three weeks of March organisations? What’s the best way to protect Lottery we went into high gear. We’ve been sifting through an funded projects with deadlines? Keeping up with the fast- avalanche of members’ concerns, preparing and issuing moving sources of information items relative to heritage advice, collating input from railways across the country, railways. processing and relaying advice and information from the government, the travel, tourism and heritage bodies, We also organised a research exercise. The results are and keeping up with one of the fastest-moving national summarised below. And we continued our work towards situations ever known. securing UK-based coal supplies – see the article on p3. We’re working with a TV production company on a new We devised and published a 12-point Business Resilience series for Channel 4. And, as always, our lines are open. Action Plan. And we’ve published two more checklists We’re taking calls, answering emails, and listening to (p4 and 5). We’ve been lobbying hard. There are many everything you have to say. Because, however busy we occasions where it is appropriate for Heritage Rail’s voice are, that’s at the heart of our work. Keep calling.

closed – and a day before the official lockdown was imposed. The WHAT DID MEMBERS SAY? research covered a wide range of issues, but here’s a snapshot of the We polled HRA members during the third week of March. We responses to four key questions. The results of our second, even more in- wanted to gauge initial reactions to COVID-19 pandemic. depth survey, are being collated now. We’ll be publishing them as soon as The responses came in a week after non-essential social contact was the work is complete. advised against, three days after bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants were

Almost half of the respondents said they’d need government support within six months or less. Less than 20% had sufficient funds to manage We asked how long respondents thought it might be before they reopened until the end of the year. A similar proportion had no foreseeable need, to the public. Even before the lockdown was yet to be announced, most but many of those were smaller operations with minimal overheads. respondents didn’t like to predict. And almost a third of them expected to be closed for up to three months.

In terms of the kind of support needed, most respondents wanted long- We asked what kind of expenditure were respondents deferring. Almost term relief from business related taxes like VAT, business rates, National half said they were stopping discretionary spending. Almost a third were Insurance and PAYE. More than a quarter wanted help with meeting deferring projects, and almost a quarter were deferring maintenance. Bear payroll costs. Only a minority included urgent access to low interest or in mind that most respondents were deferring at least two, sometimes all zero interest loans. Once again, note that many respondents included two three of these types of spending. or more of these options on their wish list.

Page 9 The Future of Coal

“We simply cannot come out of Covid-19 and then still have to fight for coal”

The Future of Coal for Heritage Railways by Steve Oates

The immediate focus during the Covid-19 crisis has had to be on meas- ures to save jobs, save livelihoods and save businesses.

However, the issue of securing coal in the future has not gone away. Mined, washed, graded and ready for heritage railways. HRA Chief Exec Steve Oates at Shotton The Current Position surface mine in Northumberland The burning of bituminous coal by heritage railways and other heritage users – and the future supply of such coal – is now a very significant issue for our sector.

In late February 2020, the Government finally gave their response to the August 2018 consultation on the burning of domestic fuels in , including bituminous coal. The Welsh government is expected to undertake a similar consultation in the near future.

While the Government statement on burning domestic fuels in England does not prevent heritage fuel users from burning coal, it does present our industry with significant future supply problems.

Unfortunately, there is still much misinformation and a lot of ‘sensationalist’ comment about coal, emissions, buying mines, importing and switching to alternatives; and there are many people - from government ministers to some of our own heritage railways – who haven’t yet grasped the depths of the issue.

England’s last mine producing washed bituminous lump coal that is used for heritage rail (at Shotton in Northumberland) will cease extraction next month (May), with remaining stocks then being distributed to customers for a few months after that. Unless new permissions are granted, that will be the end of washed steam railway coal from coal mining in England. The last mine in Wales (Ffos-y-Fran) is scheduled to cease production in September 2022. If there is no further mining of bituminous coal in the UK, importing will be the only option.

Importing consistent and suitable supplies of screened, sized and washed lump coal from Russia, Poland, the US, Columbia and elsewhere around the world is difficult both technically and commercially. It requires knowledge, ex- pertise and substantial cashflow reserves. It will almost certainly increase costs to heritage railways. Good quality washed and graded Welsh steam coal from Ffos-y-Fran is still the life- This presents significant difficulties in normal times. With the massive short, blood of many of the UK’s heritage railways. medium and long-term impacts of Covid-19 on heritage railways which, for Steve Oates, Mark Smith and Andy Forster seeing the mining in action on a site visit in some, already threaten their very survival, the lack of secure and affordable February coal might be one threat too much for some.

We simply cannot come out of Covid-19 and then still have to fight for coal.

The HRA’s focus therefore is on:

• the continuance or otherwise of UK mining • how best to secure future coal supplies through imports • mitigating the sector’s environmental impact and dealing with mis-information • related environmental lobbying and the threat from protestors • assisting work on the potential for alternative fuels • and endeavouring to help you, our member railways, to understand the issues and to have the data and facts you need

Page 10 The Future of Coal - continued

Latest Government Lobbying

On 4th March, three members pf tje HRA and I met with De- fra minister Rebecca Pow MP, tourism minister Nigel Hud- dleston MP and the Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail. Hav- ing stressed the economic, PR and social value of herit- age railways to the UK’s visitor economy and to many local (mainly) rural economies, we advised them that the very high cost of imported coal would represent a huge financial burden for larger railways, and an unsustainable cost for smaller heritage lines.

We made an initial proposal for government support for the extra cost of importing coal, expected to be about £2-3 mil- lion, to establish the necessary supply lines to import the lumped coal needed for heritage steam. Representatives from the HRA – Steve Oates (CEO), Chris Price (Vice-Chairman), Lord Faulkner (President) and Chris Austin (LPAC We were reassured that the government has no desire to and APPGHR) meeting Rebecca Pow MP (Under Secretary of State see the end of heritage steam. Rebecca Pow MP suggest- for the Environment), Nigel Huddleston MP (Minister for Arts, Her- ed we meet with the Department for Business, Energy and itage and Tourism), Liz Saville Roberts MP (chair, APPHR), Kevin Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to discuss the proposal and, fol- Hollinrake MP, Thirsk and Malton, plus senior personnel from lowing reference to the lack of permissions forthcoming for DCMS, DEFRA and BEIS, in Westminster on 4th March new mining in the UK, it was suggested we meet with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

We know that importing coal from Russia and elsewhere over thousands of miles has an adverse environmental impact, creating significant additional greenhouse gas emissions. The day before our ministerial meeting, in an answer to a House of Commons question about coal, the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng MP said “from a coal and carbon emissions reduction point of view, it makes sense to have a locally based coal source rather than shipping it in a very costly way halfway around the world”.

Consultants reports indicate that lugging coal half way around the world from Russia and Australia produce around five to seven times more CO2 than the transportation of coal from UK mines, whilst the production emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and especially methane from many overseas mines are significantly higher than UK based surface mines including proposed new mines.

Banks Mining, who operate Shotton surface coal mine, have detailed planning applications awaiting decisions for new mines at Dewley Hill near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and at Highthorn in Northumberland. The Dewley Hill application is currently with Newcastle City Council and the Highthorn application is with the Secretary of State for MHCLG, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP. Approval of these two mines alone would save over 52,000 tonnes of CO2e each year compared to the transport emissions from importing the equivalent amount of Russian coal.

We have written to MHCLG urging approval of the Highthorn application and, following our request to do the same, a good number of HRA member railways also wrote individual letters to MHCLG. We are in contact with the Welsh Assembly urging continuance of Welsh mining and consultation on a new draft policy is being planned. The Hight- horn decision may well affect their future policy.

Following the early March meeting with ministers, our intention was to seek a meeting with energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng MP in BEIS to discuss our proposals for government support with importing coal; and to meet with Simon Clarke MP in MHCLG to support the mining industry’s planning applications which will allow the UK to produce its own coal specifically for heritage railways, as well as for the UK’s steel and cement industries.

While the impacts of Covid-19 have temporarily put plans for these meetings on hold, we will still seek to meet either virtually or, when appropriate, in person. Similarly, meetings with relevant ministers in the Welsh Assembly are also having to wait.

At the time of writing, the Government decision on Highthorn is still awaited.

Page 11 The Future of Coal - continued

Environmental Issues The HRA recognises environmental concerns over burning coal. We know that burning one tonne of coal in steam locomotives produces 2.86 tonnes of CO2 (Source: Carbon Dioxide Emission Factors for Coal B.D. Hong and E. R. Slatick. Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report, January-April 1994).

The Heritage Railway sector burns 26,000 tonnes of coal which produces 74,360 tonnes of CO2 - This equates to just 0.02% of the UK’s entire CO2 emissions. This is a very small figure when compared to the greenhouse gas emissions that will occur if new mines in the UK, such as Highthorn and Dewley Hill, are not approved. (Transport emissions from importing 4.6million tonnes of coal from Russia each year results in the equivalent increase of greenhouse gas that would be emitted by 130 jumbo jets continuously circling the globe for a year!)

Nonetheless, to assist us and the whole sector in our work, the HRA urges heritage railways to take a responsible approach and to mitigate your environmental impacts by introducing strategies across your business to counter the impact of burning coal.

We urge every heritage railway to ensure they establish and publish an environmental policy, and to implement measures to make your business carbon neutral overall – e.g. through the use of ‘green’ energy or carbon seques- tration schemes.

Consider how you can reduce your usage of coal. Avoid PR ‘own goals’ through the use of inappropriate images on websites, social media and in magazines, and talk-up the positive biodiversity net gain from our green corridors and SSSIs that make up our heritage railways.

Alternative Fuels The HRA continues to support the work of ASTT in the UK and CSR in Minnesota on the potential use of biocoal. I have put forward details of a number of standard and narrow-gauge railways to assist with UK trials of biocoal.

Information and Action I thoroughly appreciate and understand the immense impacts the current situation with Covid-19 has created for heritage railways. Focus has had to be on measures to save jobs, save livelihoods and save your businesses.

Nonetheless, the issue of securing coal in the future has not gone away.

Although heritage railways are relatively small coal users, the product we use is a high quality washed sized prod- uct not readily available elsewhere. We have influence and we have a big voice. Our work has put the heritage railway sector at the forefront of some of the wider industry lobbying, as we are seen as an ‘acceptable face’ of coal users with significant business, economic, leisure, social and wellbeing benefits … as well as being the custodians of internationally recognised tourism icons such as Flying Scotsman and ‘The Hogwarts Express’!

Set out in the following panels are some key stats and some anecdotal items you may find useful when speaking with your MP, the media, those with environmental concerns, your local community or others.

Also shown is a ten-point checklist for every heritage railway. Please do all you can to ensure ‘coal’ is still on your board’s agenda, to support the need for UK coal and, where possible, to implement the measures on the ten-point checklist.

Steve Oates. Chief Executive. Heritage Railway Association.

Some Useful Stats

13 million visitors wwww 4,000 employees wwww 22,000 volunteers wwww £400m economic value

Heritage Railways Add Value

»» 13 million visitors – adding local, national and international value to the UK visitor economy »» National icons – such as the Government owned ‘Flying Scotsman’ – used to promote the UK »» 4,000 employees plus a significant supply-chain sector »» Provision of training, apprenticeships and skills transferable to the national rail network and other industries »» Substantial asset values estimated to be in excess of £0.5billion, including 1,000 steam locomotives »» Significant social, community and wellbeing benefits to 22,000 volunteers and 13 million visitors »» Heritage and cultural assets for education, learning, and enjoyment »» Provision of numerous locations and assets for UK and global film andTV

Page 12 The Future of Coal - continued

Supporting the Future of Coal - Some Useful Anecdotal Items!

Nowhere is the World is raw steel made at scale without burning coal. The big steel makers, like Tata, say making raw steel at scale with hydrogen is at least 10 or 15 years away

90% of the World’s cement is made using coal

The total annual CO2 output from all UK heritage railways equates to just 2.5% of the CO2 emitted from all the flights each year between Heathrow and New York

Heritage railways use 26,000 tonnes of coal each year producing 74,360 tonnes of CO2 … By comparison, the UK annual consumption of BBQ charcoal is 90,000 tonnes which one estimate suggests could produce 232,500 tonnes of CO2

Heritage Railway coal burning produces only 0.02% of the UK’s CO2 emissions

Heritage railways have minimal environmental impact as nearly all heritage railways are located in rural areas

Securing our Coal - Ten Point Checklist for HRA Members …

1. Understand the data and the facts … Avoid supposition and sensationalism! 2. Be aware – at board level and across your organisation - of the threat to coal supplies and the potential impacts of that threat 3. The growing uncertainty of supply and potential increases in cost should be on your risk register 4. Know the value of your railway to your local economy and robustly promote your economic and social value to your MPs, local councils, your LEP, your local community, and every individual and organisa- tion with influence 5. State the colossal negative impact that any loss of supplies would have on you, your business and the local economy 6. Support the coal industry in seeking new permissions to mine in the UK – write to MHCLG and New- castle City Council urging approval of the Banks Mining applications and write to the Welsh Assembly urging continuance of Welsh mining 7. Take a responsible approach to environmental issues … Implement whatever simple measures are possible to reduce the burn and establish – and publish - environmental policies and measures to mitigate your impacts 8. Take a responsible approach to your public communications, especially images on websites, social media and in print 9. Know the value of heritage railways to the UK economy … Strongly promote and ‘shout about’ our sector’s economic, community, social and wellbeing value 10. Work together and help us to speak with one voice! …

If your organisation needs help from the HRA email [email protected]

Page 13 New Faces at the HRA!! HRA ADDS TO FULL-TIME TEAM

Amy Sugrue has joined the As the UK’s trade association for Heritage Railway Association’s heritage and minor railways, heritage full-time team, as PA to Chief tramways, cliff railways, and related Executive Steve Oates. Amy is museums and organisations, the HRA now first point of contact for the represents some 300 members to wide cross-section of individuals national and regional government; and bodies who engage with HRA provides business support, guidance management and the Board of and technical advice; stages Directors. events for training, development and knowledge-sharing, and helps Every day sees a steady stream of promote heritage rail which, as a tasks across the CEO’s desk, and travel and leisure industry, attracts Amy’s appointment comes as part of 13 million visitors every year. the HRA’s strategy to strengthen its leadership and representation of the Amy has a far-ranging brief for heritage rail sector. support, admin, event organisation and member liaison roles. She ‘It’s great to have Amy on the team,’ has qualifications in business said Steve. ‘As advocates for heritage administration, HR, travel and rail, our workload continues to grow tourism, and is also a qualified legal exponentially. Amy will help the secretary. As a professional PA, she HRA and me to provide support to has worked with senior management our members across every possible in the construction, banking and travel aspect of heritage rail ownership, sectors. ‘Heritage rail is a fascinating management and operation, and business,’ Amy said, ‘And I’m learning allow us some extra time and space fast. I know some of my experience to sharpen our focus on the many across other businesses will enable big issues currently confronting our me to add even more value to the sector.’ work of the HRA.’

And two new Directors.....

The Heritage Railway Association’s recent AGM saw two new appointments to the Board of Directors, Steve Clews, of the Welshpool and Llanfair , and Stuart Williams of the Talyllyn Railway. At the same time, Geoffrey Claydon, CB, announced his retirement, following 17 years of service.

An engineer, with a career in the operation and construction of oil tankers, Steve Clews has hands-on experience of the development and manage- ment of standards, practices and guidance, and is a member of the HRA’s Operations and Safety Committee. Steve has worked on heritage railways since 2004. He is a driver and mechanical inspector with the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, where he has been Chairman since 2014. He is also a director of Oswestry and Borderlands Tourism. Steve said ‘The HRA has a very important role to play as the single face to regulators, as lobbyist on behalf of our members, and in providing good guidance and best practice.’

Stuart Williams began his involvement with the in 2006, becoming Chairman of the Board in 2016. He joined the Talyllyn as General Manager in 2017. With a successful commercial career behind him, Stu- art brings hands on busi- ness-management experi- ence to his roles with the HRA Board of Directors. Stuart said, ‘I’m proud to be appointed to the HRA Board, where I think it’s important to have representation from people ‘doing the job’.

Page 14 And a fond farewell .....

...... to Geoffrey Claydon CB who has retired from the Board

I cannot remember when I first met Geoffrey but it was quite a long time ago. I was aware that he was a trustee of the National Tramway Museum at Crich and was also a Treasury solicitor, but came to know him better when the Secretary of State for Transport decided to modernise the Light 1896 with a more appropriate procedure introduced under the Transport & Works Act 1992. Light Railway Orders would be replaced by Transport & Works Orders. Typically with modern legislation, the new procedure was much more burdensome as it added new criteria such as impact assessments in 2003. Imagine my surprise when, before the draft bill became law, I attended a meeting with the Secretary of State as part of the consultation at the ministry in Marsham Street and entered the meeting room to find that the civil servant sitting next to the Minister was none other than Geoffrey, as a lawyer seconded to the Department of Transport.

I started to worry that he would “see through” and challenge all my perceived difficulties, until I realised that he was coming up with far better suggestions and solutions. We truly had a friend at court. Geoffrey became a regular attender at HRA conferences and it was not long before I invited him in 2003 to join our Board of Directors, partly because I wanted to have a tramway operator represented on the Board and partly on account of his legal experi- ence and expertise. Even after his retirement, his former Departmental colleagues still seek his advice on tramway matters and the publishers of Halsbury’s Laws invite him to update the section on tramway matters. Geoffrey took over from me as Chairman of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee a few years ago.

His love of trams and long interest in tramways was nurtured by his childhood in . His interest and involvement in saving and restoring traditional trams is well known world-wide. I remember the excitement among the staff and volunteers in the heritage transport sector in Buenos Aires when I intro- duced Geoffrey to them; his reputation preceded him.

Geoffrey did his National Service with MI3 (counter espionage) and his actions in that role were made the subject of a TV mini series “Lipstick on Your Collar” in which his part was portrayed by Euan McGregor.

We are going to miss his input on the wider scene. After all, we have enjoyed the benefit of his advice and his company for so many years.

David Morgan. Deputy President

Members News

Bluebell Railway

The is publishing a special newsletter inspired by the actions of soldiers in World War One. The new regular publication is designed to maintain morale among its staff and volunteers during the railway’s current closure. And it is making the issues available to everyone who is looking for something to read or do during the shutdown. The newsletter is called The Bluebell Times and is based on The Wipers Times which was a newspaper produced by soldiers in the trenches in World War One after they found an abandoned printing press. The paper helped to maintain morale during the fighting around Ypres in Belgium.

A Bluebell Railway spokesman said: “We hope The Bluebell Times helps to keep up spirits in the same way. It is designed to fill the gap for anyone missing their steam train rides or visits to the Bluebell Railway. Although the railway is currently closed, the lines of communication are still open.

“It’s a publication for all – railway staff at home, volunteers in all departments, members, supporters, visitors, friends, train enthusiasts, families and general readers. It’s perfect for train-mad youngsters or anyone who wants a bit of light relief.” Among the contents in issue 1 are a feature article on life as a train driver, an in-depth look at one of the railway’s locomotives, an update on the emergency appeal for funds, a word search puzzle, a guess the year quiz based on filming at the Bluebell Railway and a special children’s section. The Bluebell Times has been edited by Tom James who is a volunteer in the locomotive department and there are contributions from people across the railway.

The first issue of The Bluebell Times is available now. It can be downloaded here . https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Page 15 Supporting the NHS Heritage Rail Charitable Trust Friends Tour 21st to 24th May is postponed

As you know the new Friends Tours had laid on a trip to York and Hull in May. It is most popular and approaches a ‘near- ly full’ status - so we are assured that the mix of steam, branch line railway, superb scenery and interesting architecture, with plenty of choice for those who like interest- ing pubs and good eating opportunities, has met the mark.

Yet it becomes increasingly clear that Cov- id 19 is determined to stymie our plans. On the 2nd April the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct joined landmarks It’s far too good a tour to sacrifice, but we across the UK turning blue to show public support for NHS staff would not be acting responsibly if we did treating coronavirus patients. not postpone it.

The 21-arch viaduct, which stars in the Harry Potter series of films, So the York - Hull Tour from 21st to 24th joined famous venues and attractions like Glasgow’s SSE Hydro May 2020, for Friends (and others) is now and Falkirk’s Kelpies in lighting up in the colours of the NHS to sa- officially postponed until September 2020, lute the efforts of healthcare workers in the fight against the virus. or if necessary until 2021. The illumination of the structure was organised by Martin Whyte of events company The Stage Group and echoes wider similar activi- We will study the progress of ‘social dis- ties undertaken by the entertainment industry in this unprecedented tancing’ and make our judgement accord- state of enforced inaction. ingly. Whatever the sensible reinstate- ment date, we shall give readers plenty of Martin Whyte of the Stage Group said: “We feel a huge sense of notice so we can plan a celebratory return. responsibility for the mental well being of many people within our We are sorry for the disappointment, but industry, who have lost their jobs and have nothing to do. Lighting it’s the right decision. the Viaduct gives us something practical to focus on and utilises our skills for something that will be appreciated by all of our key work- The organisers look forward to meeting ers. you after the problems have passed; then we can get back to normal. “Glenfinnan viaduct is iconic for the village, for and across the world and it has long been my ambition to light it up. What better For further information contact please time than now to make this happen as a gesture of solidarity with John Glover on [email protected] the frontline NHS staff who are risking their own health to help oth- ers during this pandemic.”

Alan Ross, director of engineering and asset management at Network Rail said; “We are delighted to be working with the Stage Group to illuminate Glenfinnan Viaduct as a gesture of support for the vital and fantastic work that the NHS is doing to help tackle the Have taken delivery of a further 2 Class coronavirus. 142 pacers. The three units are expected to be used for birthday parties and schools “We are grateful to those in the NHS and all of the key workers events where a steam hauled train is out- across the country who are playing, and will continue to play, a side the customers budget. massive role in supporting us all as the country continues to re- spond to this pandemic.”

The illumination of Glenfinnan viaduct comes as people throughout the country join in a mass round of applause at 8pm on Thursdays to thank NHS staff for their work.

The lighting of Glenfinnan viaduct has been undertaken following the clear social distancing messaging from the Chief Medical Officer and did not involve any unnecessary travel.

Page 16 Help for Members

BR Standard Loco Owners

Philip Crook would like to share some information with owning / operator groups of BR standard locomotives that he came across when studying HST power car drawings for a project at work. He writes...

It has come to my attention that the buffers on the HST power cars with cab end buffers are the same as those in- stalled on No.71000 and Standard Class 4 2-6-4T locos. I assume that most of the HST power cars will be scrapped shortly. Thus presumably these buffers may come available in the near future. The HST power cars currently fitted with buffers (14 off?), originally operated on the ECML with Class 91 electric locos and Mk 3 coaches prior to delivery of the Mk 4 coaches (c1987).

You can contact Philip at [email protected]

In Memoriam

David Madden

It is with some sadness that I learnt last month of David Madden’s death. I first met David in 1967 when he was a member of the Industrial & Provident Society, now known as the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society. I had been asked to help the Board of Central Norfolk Enterprises Ltd, now the plc. At that time, the two bodies were in competition to run a former part of the M&GN. It is no exaggeration to say that the two were at war with each other, a situation crying out for mediation. The man who eventually facilitated this was Captain Peter Manisty, RN, Chairman of the Association of Railway Preservation Societies (ARPS), a predecessor of HRA and sure enough the two groups combined to form the group we know today. The moderates found little difficulty in sinking their differences and joining the Board led by John Snell. David Madden did much to bring his colleagues on side, becoming the Company’s first General Manager and subsequently its managing director.

The first years were very much occupied with obtaining the Light Railway Transfer Order (LRO). As “the man on the ground” David very much displayed his knowledge of railway operations and his diplomatic skills to achieve this in the teeth of strong opposition from the then committee of Sheringham Golf Club. (By a quirk of fate, their lawyer (now a High Court Judge) came up to me a few days ago to congratulate me and the railway on our well-deserved success; he and his family are frequent patrons of NNR!)

Part of the battle to succeed in our application for the LRO was to engage the confidence of HM Railway Inspectorate, in the person of Major Olver, in the management of the railway. The fact that we did so was in no small part due to the fact that David had won Major Olver’s trust, not only in his competence but also in his reliability; David’s previous experience in no doubt helped.

David committed his life to the railway over the years. I knew I could rely on him in good times and in bad. Later on, after he retired from his “hands-on” involvement in the railway, he helped to run the ARPS, and later became a mem- ber of the HRA and its Business Development Committee, and also assisted in the launch of WATTRAIN, the World Alliance of Tourist Trams & Trains. However, he never lost his interest or pride in the North Norfolk Railway, continuing to live in Sheringham until 2018 and over the years creating beautiful line drawings of steam locomotives which he sold to raise funds for the railway. I last saw him two weeks before Christmas when he was housed in a residential home near Diss. He welcomed me in and we chatted for nearly two hours; it was just like old times.

We became good friends over the years; I miss him already. David is survived by his widow, Pat, his two sons and his daughter.

David Morgan. Deputy President

Heritage Railway News is published 4 times a year by the Heritage Railway Association and distributed free of charge to member railways and Friends of the HRA. Please send letters, contributions, images and advertising enquiries to Barbara Barnes at [email protected] T: 07901 977 597 Page 17 Heritage Operations Processing System.

Danny Scroggins is delighted to announce that HOPS has released a new free-to-access feature for railways (of all sizes and gauges) to circulate safety advice, lessons learned, etc (especially following incidents) to other similar or- ganisations. This is part of HOPS’s investment to assist in improving clients’ status in the Office of Rail & Road’s risk management maturity model (RM3), this particular functionality relating to MRA3 Incident Investigation:

You can enter whatever information you wish to into the HOPS Safety Circular. The more information you add, the more scope there is for others to learn from what you have experienced or discovered, but you reserve the right to redact or anonymise whatever you wish. It is also open to those railways who do not use the full HOPs functionality. There is no fee for taking part or accessing the system.

For futher informaion contact [email protected]

Page 18 HRA Annual Awards 2020

Oh What a Night!!

Looked forward to with eager anticipation by award nominees and regular attenders of this annual event, the Herit- age Rail Industry turned out to celebrate their best achievements at our Annual Awards Dinner on the 8th February. This year our guest speaker was the well respected author and railway expert Christian Wolmar who enthralled us with his perspective on the historical impact of railways on our social and economic development. The nominees this year included representatives from all aspects of our membership’s activities and we were proud to see such a great turnout enjoying such a great night of celebration. We were also very proud to help celebrate the Awards given by four of the best loved railway magazines.

We are very grateful to our sponsors who helped us make the evening such a success - The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway for the welcoming drinks party, Brian Simpson for providing the wine for the tables, and Morris Lubricants for the stunning table centres.

Details of all of the nominees and pictures of the evenings celebrations can be found at https://www.hra.uk.com/2020-hra-awards

Past winners can be found in our archive at www.hra.uk.com/past-award-winners-archive

In these next few pages we give more details of the winners of each category and a snapshot of the reason they were such worthy winners. Congratulations to all the winners and all the amazing nominees!

The Chairman’s Special Award

This Special Award is given to a project that has shown exceptional merit that the Awards Panel believes is outside the remit of the other Awards

Winner: Great Western Society for Saint Class 2999 ‘Lady of Legend”

The Saint class of locomotive was introduced by the in 1902. “Lady of Legend” is a recre- ated Saint, which entered service in April 2019. The Great Western Society’s £825,000 project means that more than a century has now passed since the first member of the class was built. A design which influenced almost all subsequent British steam development, is back on the rails to delight, inform and entertain 21st Century visitors.

NOVEMBER 2018 Issue 39 • £2.50

The HRA Award for Communications

Awarded for excellence in any form of communication, advertising/market- ing campaign or public relations. This may cover any format (e.g. printed, broadcast or digital), and in any type of media, internal or external. Winner: LMS-Patriot Company Ltd., for the Warrior Magazine

The Warrior magazine is the membership magazine of the LMS-Patriot Project. It carries news, and updates about engineering, finance, sales and events. Readers are encouraged to send in letters, articles and photographs and their views on the project. The 64-page magazine publishes four times a year, and it’s proved valuable in helping to build a Patriot image library, as well as serving as an effective fund-raising medium.

Page 19 The Morgan Award for Preservation and Mortons Media (Rail Express) Modern Traction Award

These two awards were won by Quorn Wagon and Wagon, Great Central Railway for the restoration of Test Car 2

When British Rail was privatised, Serco Railtest took over the role of testing vehicles, using Test Car 2 until it was retired to the Old Dalby Test Track in 2011. In 2016 Test Car 2 was lined up for disposal and saved by a GCR vol- unteer. It was moved to the GCR , where the Quorn Wagon & Wagon group restored it to original working condition. Test Car 2 is unique in being the only surviving vehicle in the UK permanently adapted for the purpose of conduct- ing slip and brake testing. Restoration work included the addition of a generator, compressor, heating, lighting and cooking facilities. The fully functioning restoration provides visitors with an insight into an important but little-known area of railway history.

The Coiley Locomotive Engineering Award and Steam Railway Magazine Award

Awarded to an HRA member who has completed an outstanding engineering project in the field of locomotive overhaul, restoration, or preservation.

Winner: North York Moors Railway and everyone involved in the restoration and completion of 92134

Owned by Howard and Heather Self, 92134 was built at Crewe Works in 1957, and is now the last single chimney example of the 9F class in existence. Work on the unique locomotive was begun by The Railway Age at Crewe, continued by the , and completed, in an imaginative agreement with the owners, by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award

Awarded to a volunteer under the age of 26, for significant achievement.

Winner: Philip Civil: Chasewater Railway

Phil inherited the Bagnall ‘Myfanwy’ on the Chasewater Railway from his father. He undertook the majority of its rebuild, turning his hand to welding, lathework, coachpainting and refinishing, and every mechanical and electrical discipline required to return it to original working condition. The loco is now stunning, a fine demonstration of rare young talent.

Page 20 The Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Railway Preservation

The Railway Magazine’s Award for Railway Preservationist of the Year 2020 goes to not one, but two individuals, Richard Croucher, and Bob Meanley. Richard Croucher in recognition of 55 years with the Great Western Railway and Bob Meanley for over half a century’s dedication to locomotive restoration and the development of Tyesley Works.

Richard Croucher’s involvement with the Great Western Society now spans an as- tonishing and unbroken 56 years. He joined the Society’s South West Group in 1964, going on to found the GWS Taunton Group. From 1976, he spent six years as Treasurer of the Manpower Services Commission employment schemes at Did- cot Railway Centre. Then in 1979, he joined the GWS Council as its Fundraising Officer, a role which he still holds forty years later. Now, after 35 years either as Deputy Chair or Chair of the Society, Richard is its Vice President, as committed to the GWS, if not more so, today, as in 1964.

Like Richard Croucher, Bob Meanley’s involvement with heritage rail spans almost sixty years. He began his preservation career with the Princess Elizabeth Society in the early 1960s, and later with several NRM locomotives, including Butler Hender- son and Lord Nelson. Bob led the successful main line operations for Leander in BR days, proving that express steam locomotives could still be reliable in the preserva- tion era. He is well-known for the development of Locomotive Works as a thriving engineering business, retaining and teaching the skills of the steam age. Bob has tirelessly promoted the training and development of young engineers - at the same time as being, now, the only man living who has driven the Stirling Single.

HRA Award for an Outstanding Visitor Attraction Awarded to an HRA member organisation who provides an outstanding visitor experience.

Winner: Bala Lake Railway for their Heritage Centre. The Bala Lake Railway’s purpose-built Heritage Centre tells the story of the slate industry, unique to the region and for which the narrow gauge railways were built. The centre also protects and displays rolling stock and locomotives. Attention to detail and ambient slate quarry sound effects create a truly immersive experience. Since the Heritage Centre opened, visitors to the Bala Lake Railway have increased by 66% to almost 30,000 a year.

HRA Annual Award for Large Groups

Awarded to an HRA member organisation, from the larger categories of mem- bership, for excellence in developing their business. (This may be for the HRA member organisation as a whole, a group of its staff or volunteers, or an individual)

Winner: Volk’s Electric Railway Association for Magnus Volk’s Legacy

Volk’s Electric Railway Association celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020. Throughout those years the Associa- tion has faithfully kept to its original mission: to restore, support and preserve Volk’s Electric Railway by providing volunteer labour and financial assistance to the railway management team. Today, with re-laid track and improved signalling infrastructure, the railway is in the best condition it has been since it was founded.

Page 21 HRA Annual Award for Small Groups

Awarded to an HRA member organisation, from the smaller categories of membership, for excellence in developing their business. (This may be for the HRA member organisation as a whole, a group of its staff or volunteers, or an individual)

Winner: West Lancashire Light Railway Trust for securing the future of the West Lancashire Railway.

For more than 50 years, the West Lancashire Light Railway has grown and developed on leasehold land. In 2017, prompted by a notice to vacate the site to make way for a housing development, the railway opted to purchase the land at a development price. To do that, more than £280,000 was raised in just three months, through donations, loans and a subscription fund. The future of the railway is now secured, on its own land, for generations to come.

HRA Award for Special Events Awarded to an HRA member ......

Winner: & Riverboat Company, for the Train of Lights. In 2018 the Dartmouth Steam Railway introduced the concept of the Train of Lights, a Christmas season train in which locomotive and carriages are ingeniously and dramatically illuminated by strings of lights, with illuminated scenes places strategically along the route. The Train of Lights concept has attracted a new kind of visitor to herit- age railways, widening their appeal and boosting awareness and revenue.

Mortons Media (Heritage Railway) Interpretation Award

National Railway Museum, for their Brass, Steel and Fire Exhibition

The ’s Brass, Steel and Fire exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the little-known world of ordinary people fascinated by innova- tions like Stephenson’s Rocket. They transformed their kitchens and parlours into makeshift workshops, and crafted extraordinary machines entirely from scratch. The exhibition reveals a great age of experimentation when vicars, lace makers and miners breathed life into hissing, steaming miniature locomotives. It celebrates scores of beautifully intricate homemade creations, includ- ing some of the oldest of their kind, and it explains how those small-scale experiments pushed the boundaries of engineering, influencing the course of the Industrial Revolution.

And many congratulations to all the amazing runners up!

Page 22