A medal which was created to encourage success and ambition has been awarded to a Weardale group.
The Junior Club Volunteers of the Weardale Railway have become the first group to receive the award from Councillor Dennis Morgan since he started in his position earlier this year.
Organisations, groups and individuals in County Durham are eligible for the award, which recognises “significant achievement and outstanding effort” in a variety of walks of life.
The councilors connection with the railways goes beyond a passion, being a son of a railwayman.
“Weardale Railways is a success story that warms the heart of everyone especially those involved in getting it up and running.
“The evidence of those uncalculated hours of labour is clear to see, along with the benefits harvested by that toil on a line now some 20 miles long.
“A major player amongst the volunteers has been the Junior Members whose work and dedication has been both ceaseless and efficient and they are magnificent ambassadors for this organisation and richly deserve this award.”
The councilor also unveiled the new name of a freight locomotive at Stanhope Railway Station. The Wylam Dilly takes coking coal from Wolsingham to the national network, and on to Scunthorpe each week. From here it is used in steelworks in Scunthorpe and power stations in Nottingham.
A recognition of historical links, the name was originally seen on the Wylam railway on the banks of the Tyne in the 1800’s. It was chosen by pupils of Wolsingham School and Community College.