Jonathan delighted after scooping top young volunteer accolade at awards

14 February 2024

A VOLUNTEER with the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway has won a prestigious award.

Jonathan King was named Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer of the Year at the Heritage Railway Association's annual awards in Brighton at the weekend.

The Trinity College law undergraduate is one of the most popular volunteers at the heritage railway which was dealt a devastating blow last November when a catastrophic flood engulfed its Market Street base after the Quoile river burst its banks.

Jonathan’s weekend win at the Hotel Metropole has provided all the volunteers at his home railway with a much-needed boost as they continue a massive clear-up operation and face a £3m repair bill.

The 24 year-old — who also helped town centre business owners whose premises were engulfed in flood water last November — was one of four volunteers from across the UK vying for the prestigious award at the biggest event in heritage rail.

Jonathan set off for the south coast on Saturday morning along with fellow heritage railway volunteer Morgan Young.

As it turned out, the duo found themselves at the same table as Lord Faulkner himself, as well as representatives of the National Wagon Preservation Group, the Chasewater Railway and the Keith And Dufftown Railway.

It also proved to be a very lucky table, with all the railways represented taking home an award.

Following speeches by Heritage Railway Association chief executive Steve Oates, compere Paul Lewin, and special guest speaker Francis Bourgeois, the awards ceremony got underway.

With the winner of Jonathan’s category not announced towards the end, his fellow volunteers waited with bated breath as the other awards were handed out to some very deserving railways for a range of amazing restoration projects and personnel.

When Lord Faulkner was invited on stage to present the Young Volunteer Award and with Jonathan facing some stiff competition from volunteers at the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, Peak Rail and the Avon Valley Railway, all of whom would have been deserving winners, he emerged victorious.

After numerous photos and congratulating the other successful railways, Jonathan and Morgan were able to grab a quick selfie and chat with the legendary Francis Bourgeois, who expressed his sympathy for the Downpatrick railway following the November flood.

The celebrations in Brighton lasted into the small hours, with the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway delegation taking things easy the next day.

On Sunday, the local volunteers rounded off the trip with a visit to the Volks Electric Railway, whose volunteers were also in high spirits after winning the Railway of the Year award the night before.

Jonathan and Morgan were treated to a return journey along the length of the line as well as an extensive behind-the-scenes tour of the railway’s workshop and headquarters.

Jonathan said he was extremely grateful to his colleagues for nominating him for the prestigious award and that joining the heritage railway was the best decision he ever made.

“Since a young age, it’s given me countless opportunities to not only gain unique skills, ranging from steam locomotive engineering to guiding tours of our museum, but I’ve met people and made lifelong friends from countless different walks of life,” he added.

While Jonathan’s victory came as a very welcome spot of good news after the recent flooding at the local railway, it was also a well-deserved recognition of his tireless dedication and contributions to the railway over the years.

Ahead of last week’s biggest award night in heritage railway, the chairman of the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway, praised Jonathan’s “remarkable tenacity, generosity and dedication”.

Mr Robert Gardiner said this made him a “standout team player”, always willing to assist colleagues across various departments, regardless of the task's nature or complexity.

He continued: “Jonathan's exceptional contributions to the railway read like the CV of someone much older. He has been a volunteer since he was in his early teens and in January last year was elected onto the railway’s Board of Directors at the age of 23.

“He carries out his railway duties, both administratively and on-the-ground, whilst also studying a Law Degree at Trinity, regularly travelling back and forth between Downpatrick and Dublin.”

Mr Gardiner also highlighted Jonathan's invaluable role during the most challenging of times.

“In the face of the recent floods, Jonathan played a pivotal role in safeguarding the railway. Acting as our spokesperson in the local and national media, he not only monitored floodwaters when others couldn’t, but also assisted local businesses in removing stock from flooded shops, purchasing sandbags from his own pocket,” he continued.

Mr Gardiner also recognised Jonathan's exemplary efforts during the summer of 2020 amid a wave of vandalism and the ongoing Covid pandemic.

“Jonathan went above and beyond by serving as a night watchman, patrolling the railway site until the early hours,” he revealed.

“His tireless initiative is evident in his leadership of projects previously mentioned and, additionally, he has organised and represented the railway at events across Ireland, acting as a dedicated ambassador and expanding the railway's reach to a broader audience, putting the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway back on the tourist map after the period of enforced closure over Covid.”

Mr Gardiner explained Jonathan's dedication extends to hands-on restoration work, notably devoting significant time and effort to restoring the 80 class railcar set, showcasing his attention to detail and commitment to preserving historical authenticity.

“Beyond his behind-the-scenes efforts, Jonathan excels as a renowned tour guide, hosting entertaining tour groups to high-profile visitors alike and his ability to establish useful connections for the railway has significantly contributed to its visibility and network,” he continued.

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