The #worldcupofstations 2026 winner is… Irlam! I had the privilege of handing the award to the staff who run the cafe & bistro in the restored 1873 building, and the volunteers of the Friends of Irlam Station who give tours & help with the heritage hub. Def worth the 03:30am alarm call. Between duties yesterday I made this video: Tricky to fit all in to two minutes but here’s a rapid edit of Dave, Joan, Susan and @alexhornbyrail too - representing @northernassist which runs and maintains the station platforms and most of the train services (@TPExpressTrains serve it too). So whilst this is largely a privately-run site past the platforms with a charitable community trust behind it, it’s an example of public, private and volunteers working well for everyone’s benefit. Irlam won this year’s annual contest as a result of being one of 150 UK rail stations nominated by the public, then winning an open public vote. Accessible too, I note: new lifts opened by @andyburnham in the last year for the benefit of over 300k pax pa. If your favourite station didn’t make it this year, then look out for the chance to nominate it in 2027. Then get behind it, and just like the volunteers & staff at Irlam did - get campaigning and get the votes in. It’s not a totally serious award - it’s all a bit of fun, and everyone’s had a lovely time. Good fun to work with @RailDeliveryGrp @GMB @BBCRadioManc @channel5_tv news through the day too! I really hope GBR lets the gang continue this increasingly-delightful competition next year, too.