The finest restorations and most innovative projects on the heritage railway scene went head-to-head for the top honours at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2023 on Saturday evening, with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway coming away with the coveted ‘Railway of the Year 2023’ award.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway was shortlisted for awards in 3 categories and came away with the top honour of ‘Railway of the Year 2023’. The award celebrates excellence across visitor experience, business, safety, teamwork, preservation, restoration and engineering.
Steve Backhouse, General Manager at The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, has said:
“We are delighted to win this prestigious award and be recognised as the UK’s leading heritage railway. I feel very fortunate to be a part of an amazing group of paid staff and volunteers who bring a raft of enthusiasm, skills, experience and teamwork to running the Railway.
“The team have been very busy at Havenstreet, preparing our visitor attraction for the new season and we open again on Mother’s Day 19th March. I am very proud of all our staff and volunteers and look forward to another successful year ahead.”
Well deserved. The Steam Railway is probably the best run and most enjoyable attraction on the island.
I ditto your comment, Pete.
I have memories as a 16-year-old helping out at Haven Street when it was a humble heritage railway; circa ’80. Great to see how it has grown to be one of the Island’s biggest and most valued attractions.
Well done everyone. A lot of very hard work done. The best attraction on the island by far.