The Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2026, which honour the very best projects, people and achievements from across the UK heritage rail sector are taking place on Saturday, 7th of March at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
The annual awards – sponsored by Transport for Wales – have once again attracted a record level of interest and we’re delighted that the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways are shortlisted for in two categories; ‘Achievement of the Year’ and ‘Steam Locomotive Award’.
A panel of expert judges, chaired by Anthony Coulls of the National Railway Museum, assessed more than 110 entries before producing what organisers say is the largest and most comprehensive shortlist in the awards’ history.
Boston Lodge Project recognised
Our Boston Lodge Project has been shortlisted for the ‘Achievement of the Year’ award, following the extensive restoring work and the interpretation of the historic buildings and improvements to visitor access which has allowed us to share the story of the works and the wider railway.
The Boston Lodge project will compete against several other major heritage initiatives from across the UK and Ireland in the ‘Achievement of the Year’ category.
NG15 Locomotive shortlisted
We are also represented in the ‘Steam Locomotive Award’ category through the restoration of former South African Railways NG15 class locomotive No. 134.
The NG15 No.134 made its first appearance in public service in June 2025 following an extensive restoration project.
The locomotive is among a diverse group of finalists that includes a rebuilt SR Merchant Navy class ‘Pacific’, an industrial fireless locomotive and a small-scale tram locomotive. The NG15 class engines – often nicknamed “Kalaharis” – were originally built for narrow-gauge service in southern Africa before several were acquired for preservation in Wales.
Across the wider shortlist, projects range from rolling stock restoration and infrastructure improvements to events, innovation and volunteer achievements.
Highlights include a replica gunpowder van built by young volunteers at the Talyllyn Railway, major infrastructure initiatives such as asset-management improvements on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, and several new visitor attractions and events across the heritage railway world.
People-focused awards also recognise the contribution of volunteers, rising professionals and teams whose work helps keep historic railways operating.
According to Steve Oates, Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association, the scale and quality of entries demonstrates the resilience of the heritage rail sector despite ongoing economic pressures.
The awards are considered the most prestigious accolades in the heritage railway world, celebrating excellence in restoration, operations, community engagement and innovation across the movement.
We are very much looking forward to the ceremony and to celebrate all the fantastic achievements and people across the heritage railway sector.
Cynhelir Gwobrau Blynyddol Cymdeithas y Rheilffyrdd Treftadaeth 2026, sy’n anrhydeddu’r prosiectau, y bobl a’r cyflawniadau gorau o bob rhan o sector rheilffyrdd treftadaeth y DU ar Ddydd Sadwrn, 7fed o Fawrth yn Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Mae’r gwobrau blynyddol – a noddir gan Transport for Wales – unwaith eto wedi denu lefel record o ddiddordeb, ac rydym yn falch iawn bod Rheilffyrdd Ffestiniog ac Eryri wedi eu rhoi ar y rhestr fer mewn dau gategori; “Cyflawniad y Flwyddyn” a “Gwobr Locomotif Stêm.”
Asesodd panel o feirniaid arbenigol, dan gadeiryddiaeth Anthony Coulls o’r Amgueddfa Reilffyrdd Genedlaethol, fwy na 110 o geisiadau cyn llunio’r hyn y mae’r trefnwyr yn ei ddisgrifio fel y rhestr fer fwyaf a mwyaf cynhwysfawr yn hanes y gwobrau.
Prosiect Boston Lodge yn cael ei gydnabod
Mae ein Prosiect Boston Lodge wedi cael ei roi ar y rhestr fer ar gyfer gwobr “Cyflawniad y Flwyddyn”, yn dilyn y gwaith adfer helaeth a’r dehongliad o’r adeiladau hanesyddol, ynghyd â gwelliannau i fynediad ymwelwyr sydd wedi ein galluogi i rannu hanes y gweithfeydd a’r rheilffordd ehangach.
Bydd prosiect Boston Lodge yn cystadlu yn erbyn nifer o fentrau treftadaeth mawr eraill o bob rhan o’r DU ac Iwerddon yn y categori “Cyflawniad y Flwyddyn.”
Locomotif NG15 ar y rhestr fer
Rydym hefyd yn cael ein cynrychioli yn y categori “Gwobr Locomotif Stêm” trwy adfer locomotif dosbarth NG15 Rhif 134 o hen Reilffyrdd De Affrica.
Gwnaeth yr NG15 Rhif 134 ei ymddangosiad cyntaf mewn gwasanaeth cyhoeddus ym mis Mehefin 2025 yn dilyn prosiect adfer helaeth.
Mae’r locomotif ymhlith grŵp amrywiol o rownd derfynol sy’n cynnwys locomotif SR Merchant Navy “Pacific” wedi’i ailadeiladu, locomotif diwydiannol heb dân, a locomotif tram ar raddfa fach. Cafodd locomotifau dosbarth NG15 – a elwir yn aml yn “Kalaharis” – eu hadeiladu’n wreiddiol ar gyfer gwasanaeth culfesur yn ne Affrica cyn i nifer ohonynt gael eu prynu ar gyfer cadwraeth yng Nghymru.
Ar draws y rhestr fer ehangach, mae prosiectau’n amrywio o adfer cerbydau rheilffordd a gwelliannau i seilwaith i ddigwyddiadau, arloesi a chyflawniadau gwirfoddolwyr.
Ymhlith yr uchafbwyntiau mae fan powdwr gwn atgynhyrchiad a adeiladwyd gan wirfoddolwyr ifanc ar Reilffordd Talyllyn, mentrau seilwaith mawr megis gwelliannau i reoli asedau ar Reilffordd Stêm Gloucestershire Warwickshire, a nifer o atyniadau ac achlysuron newydd i ymwelwyr ar draws byd rheilffyrdd treftadaeth.
Mae gwobrau sy’n canolbwyntio ar bobl hefyd yn cydnabod cyfraniad gwirfoddolwyr, gweithwyr proffesiynol sy’n datblygu, a thimau y mae eu gwaith yn helpu i gadw rheilffyrdd hanesyddol yn gweithredu.
Yn ôl Steve Oates, Prif Weithredwr Cymdeithas y Rheilffyrdd Treftadaeth, mae maint ac ansawdd y ceisiadau yn dangos gwydnwch y sector rheilffyrdd treftadaeth er gwaethaf pwysau economaidd parhaus.
Ystyrir y gwobrau hyn yn rhai o’r anrhydeddau mwyaf mawreddog ym myd rheilffyrdd treftadaeth, gan ddathlu rhagoriaeth mewn adfer, gweithrediadau, ymgysylltu cymunedol ac arloesi ar draws y mudiad.
Rydym yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at y seremoni ac at ddathlu’r holl gyflawniadau a’r bobl wych ar draws sector rheilffyrdd treftadaeth.
