Train operator Northern has revealed the names of eight of its staff who have made the shortlist for a National Rail Award.

The nominations are in the Outstanding Personal Contribution category, which salutes railway workers who have gone ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty.

The National Rail Awards are fondly referred to as the ‘rail industry Oscars’, and aim to recognise and reward people, companies and initiatives that have shown innovation and excellence in the railway industry.

The awards also promote the rail industry, aiming to assist with its long-term success and sustainability, highlighting that this success relies on a railway workforce that is highly skilled, diverse, motivated and engaged.

Northern workers nominated are:

• Adam Mansbridge (conductor, Leeds), whose vigilance and quick thinking ensured that two missing children returned safely to their family
• Andrew Williamson (deputy station manager, Barrow-in-Furness), who helped passengers when by the storms caused widespread disruption in Cumbria
• Gemma Gronous (driver, Hull), who intervened to help save the life of a person in distress in a field next to the railway
• Graham Blake (customer service assistant, Holmes Chapel station), who has been working with the local parish council to help fans of singer Harry Styles (know as ‘Stylers’) when visiting his home town
• Martin Rodger (driver team manager, Newcastle-upon-Tyne), recognised for thirty nine years of service as lead investigator for safety in the North East
• Paul Wilkinson (conductor, Blackpool) who spotted that two schoolgirls were ‘at risk’, alerted British Transport Police and reunited them with their parents.

In addition, two customer service assistants at Brinnington station in Stockport, Darin Astbury and Stewart Hall, have been nominated jointly for their work in creating a ‘Swap Shop’ that provides food, clothes, books and household items for those in need in the local community.

Darin and Stewart were also nominated for a RailStaff award last year, and their initiative featured in a ‘File on 4’ documentary on BBC Radio 4 a year ago.

The National Rail Awards will announce this year’s winners at a ceremony in London on Thursday 12 September. More information about the awards is available here.