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Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is joining the celebrations of an extraordinary moment of community spirit and recognition, as the steam locomotive ‘Lord Oliver Brown’, an iconic fundraiser for the charity, secured a national award while also helping mark a poignant date for the family who inspired its creation. 

The locomotive, which is owned by CHSW supporter Marc Bellin and based at Plym Valley Railway, was announced as the winner of the Steam Railway Magazine Reader’s Award at the Heritage Railway Association’s annual awards on Saturday 7 March. Up against 9 other significant heritage railway achievements, the Lord Oliver Brown locomotive won due to the remarkable inspiration behind the engine’s restoration and its vital role in raising funds and awareness for CHSW.

‘Lord Oliver Brown’ was lovingly restored in memory of Oliver Brown, a 11 year old boy from Plymouth who died in 2019 from a rare blood cancer. Oliver received support from CHSW’s hospice Little Harbour, in St Austell. The engine that carries his name is painted in his favourite colours, pink and green. In hospital, he styled himself a “Lord” when signing his consent forms, a spirit that now lives on through the engine.

After the award was collected in North Wales, the team behind the engine announced their big win at a ball in Plymouth to celebrate what would have been Oliver’s 18th birthday.

"Winning this award is the greatest birthday present we could have ever given Oliver," said Marc Bellin. 

To have the support of the public and the heritage rail community means the world to us. It proves that Oliver’s story, and our mission to support children's hospices, resonates far beyond the railway tracks.

Annabel Roberts, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, said: 

We are incredibly grateful to the team behind the locomotive for their continued support and for the heartfelt way they honour Oliver’s memory. Seeing the engine win a national award on Oliver’s 18th birthday weekend makes this tribute even more special.

Following the awards, the locomotive steamed back into service at Marsh Mills on Sunday 8 March, welcoming hundreds of visitors for a day of celebration and fundraising for CHSW. With more than £28,000 already raised, ‘Lord Oliver Brown’ has helped CHSW raise vital funds to care for local babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families.

CHSW’s support has been central to the Brown family’s journey, and the team behind the locomotive remains committed to ensuring Oliver’s legacy continues to help other families facing the toughest of times.

Looking ahead, the restoration group plans to take ‘Lord Oliver Brown’ on a national tour of heritage railways, further growing its fundraising reach for CHSW and children’s hospices across the UK, while continuing to host special events at Plym Valley Railway.