News

HAT TRICK FOR NORTHERN AT COMMUNITY RAIL AWARDS

26th September 2006

Train operator Northern scored a hat trick at the Community Rail Awards, held at the Locomotion – National Railway Museum in Shildon on Friday 22 September.
 
Northern’s innovative NorthernTrax initiative, aimed at encouraging young people to make and play music instead of going on railway tracks, scooped the award for Involving Young People.  The judges commented: “ ...that this was one of the most innovative ways of communicating with young people that the railway has ever developed...” This comes hot on the heels of NorthernTrax winning the Sir Robert Horton Safety Award at the National Rail Awards just two weeks ago.
 
Northwich Station won the award for New Uses for Station Buildings.  A combination of partners including Vale of Royal Borough Council, Northern and Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership have been involved in regenerating this once semi- derelict Victorian Station into a Community Learning Centre.
 
Knaresborough Station’s ‘Secret Tunnel’ won the Community Art Schemes Award.  The ‘Secret Tunnel’ by artist Peter Kearney was developed as part of the Festival of entertainment and visual arts.  It took Peter and five assistants three weeks to complete.  A stunning visual scene that at first glance could be taken for reality now greets visitors and passengers.
 
ACORP also commended Northern for their support of the awards and the Community Railfest.
 
Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern said: “To win these awards is a great achievement: the judging process is tough and the competition is strong.  We are delighted to receive these accolades for Northern and also congratulate our partners for their successes.  These awards demonstrate what can truly be achieved by the railway working in partnership with our neighbours. Other successes across the Northern network included:
 
Outstanding Railway Staff Contribution:  
2nd Gair Urwin – Chathill Station, Northern
 
Rolling Stock:  
2nd Class 150 Buxton Festival Units, Northern
3rd  Innovative use of spare units, Northern  
 
Most Enhanced Community / Small Station:  
2nd Parbold Station, West Lancs CRP, Lancs County Council and Northern      
3rd Burscough Bridge Station, West Lancs CRP and Northern
 
Best Station Buffet:  
1st Under the Clock No 2 at Cleethorpes Station
 
Best Station Garden:  
3rd John Sadler, Bridlington Station
 
Marketing Community Rail:  
2nd Promoting the Yorkshire Coast Line, Community Rail Humber
 
Best Heritage / Conservation Scheme:  
2nd Facelift for Glossop Railway Station, Glossop Environmental Trust