The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWSR) has received a major award for outstanding contribution to railway preservation.
 
GWSR runs heritage train services between Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe, Toddington, and Laverton.
 
In January 2011 embankments at Gotherington and Winchcombe collapsed.
 
The Heritage Railway Association award citation recognises GWSR's "grim determination in dealing with its double slip disaster".
 
During the £1 million restoration works along the 12 mile long stretch of line, GWSR continued to run services and to progress its extension towards Honeybourne.
 
"This couldn't have been a better Christmas present for the railway after such a struggle to overcome the serious embankment collapse problems we have gone through," said Malcolm Temple, chairman of the GWR.
 
The railway reopened the newly rebuilt link over the most recent collapse at Winchcombe on 30 Oct 2012.
 
GWSR has also been highly commended for its presentation of Winchcombe Station with the Modern Railways magazine's restoration award.
 
Mr. Temple thanked the railway volunteers for their dedication during the GWSR's lowest period of its 32 year history.
 
"If it wasn't for their grim determination recognized in the award, not just in keeping the railway going, but in single-mindedly concentrating on raising £1 million needed, I'm pretty sure the railway wouldn't be here today," he said.
 
"It has been achieved against all the odds and the award recognizes that. I feel very proud right now, to be chairman of this wonderful volunteer-run organization."
 
The railway offers a 24 mile round journey and carries about 70,000 passengers a year.
 
Author unknown.