Frank Galvin, a former museum professional with Stockport Borough Council and current Trustee of the Bahamas Locomotive Society (BLS), has been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours with an MBE.

The MBE has been awarded to him for his efforts towards highlighting and preserving heritage in Greater Manchester mainly associated with a previous position he held at Elizabeth Gaskell House, where he retired as Chairman of Trustees.

Frank has been instrumental in bringing the Bahamas Locomotive Society to registered museum status.

When the society applied for museum status in 1997, Frank’s then-colleague John Baker agreed to act as Museum Advisor throughout the application process. It was at this time that Frank started becoming involved with the locomotive society.

Following is professional retirement with Stockport Borough Council in 2011, Frank became a Director of the BLS in 2011 and is Deputy Chairman, a role which he continues to hold.

His extensive experience has been invaluable to the Society, particularly his support and guidance with the society’s museum and learning activities.

The latter was a component in a successful bid to the National Lottery in 2012 for the overhaul of the Bahamas.

While in recent years, Frank’s dedication has also helped when he lead the societies management governance review.

“I was really delighted to receive the Award and, since the announcement, to receive many very kind comments from friends and colleagues.  I’m mindful that awards such as this are never achieved alone but as part of a team, or teams, and over the years I have been fortunate to be part of many great teams, and the opportunity to work together on some really great projects.  I am very grateful for the support of all my friends and colleagues at BLS”

Frank Galvin MBE, Bahamas Locomotive Society Trustee

All of this has had a big impact on ensuring that Bahamas returned to steam in 2018. Since then, the locomotive has run across much of the UK on the mainline and heritage railways, where she has entertained hundreds of thousands of people over the course of her boiler ticket, which has helped raise the profile of the society and its museum.

Bahamas next outing on the mainline will be on a rail tour to Carlisle this March, while her next confirmed visit away from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway will be a visit to the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Gala in April.