IWSR SHORT LISTED FOR NETWORK RAIL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
Photo: J Layfield
W37 'Invincible' leads a train through the immaculately maintained surroundings of Ashey Station.
Since 2000 Network Rail has presented annual Environment Awards, which recognise organisations and individuals for their work on maintaining and improving the environment on and around railways. Award categories include community partnerships, rail crime prevention, and team contribution. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway submitted an entry relating to our very successful lineside clearance programme, a partnership effort between our Civil Engineering Department and the 'Friday Gang'. The railway runs through 5 miles of delightful Island countryside and their work of removing invasive scrub has opened up previously lost views, also allowing the regeneration of lineside flora and generating stunning displays of yellow primroses, wood anemones and bluebells. The rare narrow leaved lungwort is now thriving and multiplying vigorously.
Photo: A J Barry
Young visitors enjoying the award nominated Woodland Walk.

Our entry for the Biodiversity Protection Award, for our combined work with the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species and Concordia International Volunteers in creating a new lineside woodland walk at Havenstreet Station, was short listed. At the Environment Awards Dinner in the Earth Galleries of the Natural History Museum, five members of the 'Friday Gang', led by General Manager Peter Vail put on their black ties and represented the railway. Being the only heritage railway nominated for an award the IWSR really were mixing with the 'big boys' - Arriva, Eurostar, Southern Railways, Midland Mainline, Scot Rail etc. Shortlisted alongside us in the category were the multi-national contractors Carillion and Dean and Dyball. The award went to Dean and Dyball (Ironically they were the contractors who built Smallbrook Junction Station!). Their entry related to the successful preservation of an endangered butterfly habitat.

Photo: D Walker
Members of the 'Friday Gang' seen at Brading Station during a lineside clearance project earlier this year.

More details of the activities of the 'Friday Gang' can be found in Track Pack, the on line news letter of the Civil Engineering Department.

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Page last modified 26/06/07.
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