The Heritage Railway Association has shortlisted the County Antrim museum and engineering facility for The Manistry Award for Excellence, which is awarded on an occasional basis for an exceptional and outstanding contribution to railway preservation.

The museum officially reopened in 2017, following a major redevelopment that was made possible with the help of a grant of £1.64million from HLF.

The project saw the transformation of the carriage workshop and locomotive sheds into an interactive museum which tells the story of our railway heritage, with a special viewing gallery that provides visitors with the opportunity to watch engineers carry out repairs to the locomotives.

[quote=Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland]“It is wonderful to see Whitehead Railway Museum shortlisted for this UK-wide prize."[/quote]

Visitors can also explore historic carriages, and enjoy ‘Museum on the Move’ days throughout the year which transport people to Belfast, Dublin and Portrush by steam train.  

Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, said: “It is wonderful to see Whitehead Railway Museum shortlisted for this UK-wide prize. The museum is a fantastic facility for everyone in Northern Ireland and its success owes much to the dedication and passion of the staff and many volunteers of the Railway Preservation of Ireland. 

“We have our fingers crossed and wish them well in their efforts to win this award.”

The winner will be announced at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards in Birmingham later this month.