A SOUTH Cumbrian train station has been crowned one of Britain’s best at the ‘railway Oscars’.

Grange station scooped Small Station of the Year at the 2021 National Rail Awards.

The awards, which were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane in London, recognise excellence across the rail industry with a wide array of award categories including ‘major project of the year’, ‘customer service excellence’ and ‘outstanding teamwork’.

Judges said Grange station has created a ‘glorious travel experience’ and had a ‘real sense of local pride’.

“Grange-over-Sands has created a glorious travel experience,” they said.

“It is the perfect example of a fully-functioning ‘Small’ station which is impeccably managed and presented by a loyal resident staff.

“The station has attracted strong community loyalty and this delightful station is rightly buzzing with a real sense of local pride.”

Ribbleshead station was also highly commended in the same category.

Chris Jackson, west and central regional director at Northern, said: “We are thrilled that Grange-over-Sands has won this fantastic award and that Ribbleshead has been recognised.

“Our staff work hard to keep the stations looking its best and to provide the best possible service to our customers.

“Our stations are more than somewhere to catch a train, they are a vital part of the local community and we are proud to be able to be part of that community.”

Furness Line Action Group chairman Derek Faulds also added his congratulations.

“It’s a very nice little station,” he said.

“And fits in very well with the town.

“It is one of the only stations along the Furness Line that still has a toilet.

“And a nice waiting area that has recently been refurbished.

“It does well to receive this award, well done.”