The Bluebell Railway has been recognised at this year’s National Rail Awards for its highly successful Railway 200 @ Bluebell Railway event.
Over 1,000 attendees from across the rail industry attended the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, where journalist and television presenter Julia Bradbury announced the winners of the ‘Railway Oscars’. The Bluebell Railway won the Best Regional Railway 200 Event award in a tightly-contested category attracting dozens of entries.
Lisa Boyle, Chief Operating Officer at the Bluebell Railway said
“We are delighted to have received this award. Over 40,000 people visited the Bluebell Railway during Railway 200 @ Bluebell Railway. It was a huge and very successful project involving staff and volunteers right across the railway.”
Marketing and Communication Manager Ruth Rowatt added
“We were particularly pleased to welcome thousands of young people to the Bluebell Railway, with special events for schools, Scouts and Girlguiding. A highlight was the visit of the Railway 200 National Exhibition Train Inspiration. The event was only possible thanks to the support of our partners, including the National Lottery, our local authorities, Southern Railway and many more.”
Roger Kelly, Fundraising Director for the Bluebell Railway, said
“A £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Railway 200 @ Bluebell Railway allowed us to reopen a platform at Horsted Keynes that had been out of use for over 100 years and make essential repairs to the station. There is a lasting legacy that will support the Bluebell Railway for many years.”
The award comes after a difficult summer for the Bluebell Railway. Lisa Boyle said
“We ceased running steam trains for several weeks in August to reduce the risk of fire,” “That resulted in a significant loss of income. However, we have an exciting programme of events for the autumn and our ever-popular Christmas trains. We hope this award will encourage people to visit the Bluebell Railway this autumn.”
Notes to Editors:
The National Rail Awards are held annually to recognise excellence in the rail industry. The awards are mainly aimed at the nation rail system; it is highly unusual for heritage railways to be recognised. https://www.railmagazine.com/news/national-rail-awards-all-the-winners-from-the-2026-railway-oscars
Railway 200: 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations took place throughout the year, showcasing how the invention of the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow.
The Bluebell Railway is the oldest standard-gauge preserved public railway in the world, after reopening part of the former Lewes to East Grinstead railway in 1960. Today, it operates steam trains over an 11-mile line running from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead, where it connects with the national rail network. The Bluebell Railway is one of Sussex’s top tourist attractions and is the custodian of probably the finest collection of heritage railway vehicles running in Britain. The Bluebell Railway regularly features in films, on TV and in print. Visit www.bluebell-railway.com or contact jon.beardmore@bluebell-railway.com for more information.
Attached photo shows (l-r) Roger Kelly (Fundraising Director), Lisa Boyle (Chief Operating Officer), Ruth Rowatt (Marketing and Communications Officer) and Tim Hinton (Project Manager)
