Lappa Valley shortlisted in Heritage Railway “Oscars”
A historic Cornish railway and family attraction has been shortlisted for a prestigious award, in what is considered by many to be the “Oscars” of the UK’s Heritage Railway World.
Lappa Valley, near St Newlyn East is in the final four entrants for the “Railway of the Year” award in the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) Awards.
The HRA awards recognise excellence or innovation in almost every aspect of heritage railway and tramway restoration, preservation and operation.
Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2024, Lappa Valley runs a range of steam, diesel, petrol, and electric locomotives on three railways based around the former Newquay to Chacewater Branchline – one of the oldest trackbeds in Cornwall.
The family attraction has seen a range of investments over the last ten years, including a brand new soft play and indoor café, a brand new train and ongoing investments in activities and infrastructure. For two years in a row it was named the county’s best large visitor attraction in the Cornwall Tourism Awards and most recently was presented with a gold award in the national Land, Leisure and Tourism Awards.
Lappa is in good company, with other highly-respected finalists including the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, the North Norfolk Railway and the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Gateshead in February.
Ben Harding, Lappa Valley’s Operations Director said: “There are a range of excellent heritage railways operated by very talented people across the country, and we feel very privileged to be recognised alongside them.
“For fifty years, Lappa Valley has been delighting families and the level of investment in new activities, facilities, trains and railway has been particularly significant since its purchase by current owners Keith and Sara Southwell in 2014.”
Heritage Railway Association Chief Executive, Steve Oates, added: “We’ve never received so many entries for the HRA Awards. It’s testament to just how much brilliant work is going on and there is a lot for the whole sector to be very proud of.
“We’ve got shortlisted entries from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. From miniature railways, narrow gauge railways, tramways, funiculars and standard gauge lines. Shortlisting has genuinely never been so hard, so we need to give all of the finalists a huge congratulations for making it through to the awards ceremony in the North East during February.”