THE National Railway Museum has received an award for recent achievements.

The York attraction has been honoured by the Heritage Railway Association for its contribution to railway preservation this year.

One of the achievements acknowledged by the Peter Manisty Award committee was the opening of Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon. The venue also hosted the railway bicentenary celebrations Railfest, in June, and bought the historic steam engine the Flying Scotsman.

National Railway Museum (NRM) boss Andrew Scott said: "With the opening of our first branch museum at Shildon planned to take place in the year when we would be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the steam railway, 2004 was always going to be busy.

"The unplanned necessity of our fundraising campaign to purchase the Flying Scotsman and its subsequent programme of operations have turned 2004 into the most momentous in the NRM's history.

"The museum's staff and volunteer supporters have risen to the enormous challenges of the year and I am delighted at this recognition by the Heritage Railway Association of all that they have achieved."

The Peter Manisty Award is the Heritage Railway Association's premier award and commemorates the work of the chairman of the association of Railway Preservation Societies, the predecessor of the Heritage Railway Association.

Published: 01/11/2004