Volunteers are now an integral part of railways with huge numbers of people throughout the country undertaking a range of roles. Here, at the Tyne Valley Railway, the Community Rail Partnership, would not be the success it is without the efforts and support of our volunteers.
All our Company Directors are volunteers. As well as their legal responsibilities associated with running a limited company, directors are involved with on-going work and projects. Learn more about TVCRP here.
We are supported by volunteer Specialist Advisors, who provide insights and advice and provide practical support.
Station Adopters are volunteer community groups who are passionate about the stations they adopt. Many adopters take an active part in making the stations a welcoming environment for passengers and visitors. Providing local information, tending the gardens and flowers, adopters help the train company and TVCRP to monitor the condition of their station, reporting any faults which may arise, so keeping the station safe and presentable. Our volunteers are justifiably proud of the work they undertake and are always looking for ways to make our stations more welcoming.
Most recently, the station at the MetroCentre has been adopted by the Newcastle College's Rail Academy who have been busy installing wildlife friendly boxes.
Find out more about the adoption groups at:
During 2022, we have been working with the Newcastle branch of charity, St Vincent de Paul, who are now the station adooters of Manors Station. Read more here.
If you are interested in joining one of our groups contact the TVCRP Officer.
Our Community Ambassadors provide a local link between the Partnership and the communities served by the railway. They help us deliver information about service changes, events on the line, news and developments on a local basis, as well as providing the Partnership with feedback and insights on how the railway and communities can work more closely together.
If you are interested in joining our team of Ambassadors, please contact the TVCRP Officer .
Specialist Volunteer Advisors
John Beedle, Press Release Editor
John has had a long-time love of railways and in his retirement, he is an active volunteer writing TVCRP press releases, many of which are featured in the Community Rail Network’s regular newsletters. John volunteers his assistance at many of the events we attend and he is a member of the Friends of Blaydon Station. He is a member of the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society and also volunteers at the Tanfield Railway, near Stanley.
Nigel Jarvis, Tourism Advisor
Nigel is actively involved in the tourism industry running a guest house and self-catering lodges at Greenhead and is a member of the Heart of Hadrian’s Wall Tourism Association. Nigel provides specialist knowledge to many of our projects and is a regular helper at many of our events.
Wallsend History Society
George and Phyll Laws of the Society have undertaken research locating and interviewing people who were evacuated to the Haltwhistle area from Tyneside by train during the Second World War. You can find more about this on our Projects page