Double success for Settle Carlisle Railway in National Community Rail Awards
At the glitzy event sponsored by Lumo and held at Newcastle Civic Hall, the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company received first place in the photographic award, for the main image created for the Settle Carlisle Calendar Girls and third in the Outstanding Volunteer sections for the voluntary work of Jill Tiernan.
The Awards are celebrating 20 years of showcasing inspiring initiatives from across community rail as the wider railway industry celebrates 200 years since the birth of modern railways and the Settle Carlisle line celebrates its 150th anniversary of opening.
The Awards, organised by Community Rail Network, recognise a diverse array of projects supporting social inclusion, sustainable travel, empowered communities, and economic development. The evening demonstrates how the community rail movement builds links, positivity and awareness between local people and their railways, benefitting communities and often changing lives.
Chairman of Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, Pete Myers, said: “We are delighted for our team who put so much into producing a fun calendar, especially our Operations Manager, Susie Payne who had the original idea and organised the whole project which helped raise more than £1,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
“We are extremely pleased that the work of Jill has been recognised by the Community Rail Awards. There was strong competition from across the country for the Outstanding Community Volunteer and we are delighted Jill was in the top three.
“These awards recognise the work of our team and volunteers who support the Settle Carlisle Railway.
“The Friends of Settle Carlisle Line and Trust have also played a big part in the success of our community events, and working together as the Settle Carlisle family is helping provide more for those who use and live along our line.”
A special award-winning limited edition of the Settle Carlisle Calendar Girls 2026 will be available from this summer, alongside the Spirit of the Settle Carlisle Line photo calendar to raise funds for The North West Air Ambulance which serves Cumbria.
