John’s passion for trains is recognised with prize

John’s passion for trains is recognised with prize

27 June 2012

A VOLUNTEER at Downpatrick and County Down Railway has been named an Unsung Museum Hero.

Eighty year-old John Henry, is a keen volunteer for the local railway and has helped rebuild the local lines, which form part of Northern Ireland’s only full size heritage railway.

As well as laying the track, John is also a regular at public events, meeting and greeting the passengers and explaining about the railway to visitors.

John said he began to volunteer with the railway 17 years ago, shortly before retiring from his job in a Belfast food factory.

He said he had a lifelong interest in railways, sparked by his father who worked on the local railway for many years when they lived as a family in Newcastle.

John said he was “utterly amazed” to hear he was being given an award and said he enjoyed a three-day break in London with his daughter where they attended a prestigious presentation event in the British Museum.

“I enjoy what I do at the railway where I work four or five times per week,” he said.

“It is something that I have a genuine interest in, but I never thought it would lead to an award.”

John was nominated for the Art Prize Fund, which is administered by the Museum Prize, by Robert Gardiner, from the local railway group.

Robert said he nominated him for the award because of his lifelong interest in the local railway as his father was an engine driver on the Belfast and County Down Railway.

Robert said John was also currently involved in a major track laying project at the railway, which he said was “not exactly light work.”