The Golden Whistle Awards 2026 took place on 6 March at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square, bringing together leaders and professionals from across the UK rail industry to celebrate operational excellence.
Organised by Modern Railways in partnership with CIRO, the Golden Whistles recognise outstanding performance across passenger and freight operations, infrastructure and industry collaboration. The awards are unique within the sector as many categories are based on objective industry performance data, recognising those delivering consistently strong operational results.
The event was hosted by Network Performance Board Chair Steve Murphy and CIRO Chief Executive Phil Sherratt, with an after-lunch speech delivered by Claire Mann, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for London.
The awards provide an important opportunity to acknowledge the individuals, teams and organisations whose work helps deliver a safe, reliable and high-performing railway for passengers and freight customers across the UK.
London and South Eastern:
Gold – Greater Anglia (92.4%)
Silver – West Midlands Trains (0.6% improvement)
Regional:
Gold – Merseyrail (90.54%)
Silver – TfW Rail (2.7% improvement)
Long Distance:
Gold – Greater Anglia (89.54%)
Silver – Great Western Railway (3% improvement)
London and South Eastern:
Gold – c2c (1.7%)
Silver – West Midlands Trains (2.6% improvement)
Regional:
Gold – ScotRail (2.17%)
Silver – Northern (1.6% improvement)
Long Distance:
Gold – Greater Anglia (1.49%) & Lumo (1.37%)
Silver – Avanti West Coast (2.4% improvement)
Large Operator:
Gold – DB Cargo UK
Silver – Freightliner Heavy Haul
Small Operator:
Gold – Colas Rail
Silver – DCRail
Gold – Greater Anglia
Silver – Colas Rail
Gold – Scotland
Silver – Western
Gold – Northern Line
Silver – Central Line
Right Time Arrivals:
Gold – Dublin to Belfast (Enterprise) – 55.8%
Minimising Delay Minutes:
Gold – Maynooth
Gold – James Dobson, Avanti West Coast
Silver – Edmund Crosthwaite, Network Rail
Highly Commended – James Wade, CrossCountry
Gold – ScotRail Service Delivery Team
Silver – N&E Route Stockton and Darlington Anniversary Team
Highly Commended – Network Rail High Speed Performance Team
Highly Commended – East Midlands Route Performance Team
Highly Commended – Operations Capability Team, Network Rail
Gold – Sam Felce, Network Rail
Silver – Review of running brake test requirements on modern passenger rolling stock – Southeastern
Highly Commended – Barry McLaughlin, Network Rail
• The Greatest Gathering
• The Huntingdon response – LNER, Govia Thameslink Railway, Network Rail, British Transport Police
• Robin Gisby received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his significant and long-standing contribution to the UK rail industry and to railway operations.
The Golden Whistle Awards continue to highlight the dedication, expertise and collaboration across the railway industry. By recognising measurable improvements in performance and operational leadership, the awards showcase the individuals and organisations helping to drive the railway forward.
CIRO would like to congratulate all winners, nominees and teams involved, whose commitment and professionalism contribute to the continued success of the railway.
