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We have a very supportive group of volunteers who are enthusiastic about the Tyne Valley Railway and its area. They support us in a multitude of roles and have some amazing ideas to make our stations attractive and welcoming, help to promote our lovely railway and area, encourage travel by rail and strive for improvements to the services and stations.
We are grateful for their commitment and efforts throughout the year. Learn more about our volunteers here.
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The rail industry have responded to the future needs of passengers whose commuting patterns are changing. The traditional season ticket is not seen as the best option for those people not travelling to work as frequently as in the past.
From 21 June, you can purchase a flexi season ticket, which can be used from 28 June. You can find out more on the National Rail Enquiries website
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The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (TVCRP) and the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership (BLCRP) are looking for your support. The two Community Rail Partnerships want to work together with two singer songwriters, Gareth Davies-Jones and Sam Slatcher to use music to understand more about the barriers some people encounter to using rail travel.
The good news is that their application to LNER’s Community Fund has been shortlisted.
However, LNER is now looking for your help to decide which of the 80 shortlisted projects to fund.
Please vote for us by clicking on this link
At the bottom of the page click on Diversity and Inclusion, then Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership and Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership: Lyric & Line on Bishop and Tyne.
The voting ends on Friday, 28 May 2021. Thank you for your support.
The Lyric & Line project has seen singer and songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones working with three groups with additional needs, using music and song writing to facilitate experiences of rail travel and was a winner in the 2020 Community Rail Awards.
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Work has been progressing on the refurbishment of the waiting room and redundant buildings on platform 2 for the last few months.
You can read the latest update here and see photos of the work as it has been progressing
Work on the Platform 1 buildings will commence when the Platform 2 buildings are completed
Interested in a studio or office at Haltwhistle Station? If so, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership were asked by Northumberland Libraries if they would like to participate in World Book Night, which was to be celebrated throughout the day on Friday 23 April 2021. World Book Night, is an annual celebration of books and reading, organised by the Reading Agency which brings people from all backgrounds together for one reason, to inspire others. Each book contained a leaflet from the libraries and a flyer from TVCRP.
Northumberland Libraries were one of ten Library Authorities chosen to distribute a free book to mark the occasion, and as the Tyne Valley Railway runs east west through Northumberland it was an ideal choice of partner.
TVCRP volunteers were happy to help, and the books distributed to the Station Adopters along the line at Haltwhistle, Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Corbridge, Stocksfield, Prudhoe, Wylam and Blaydon. Although Blaydon is not in Northumberland, many young people use the railway to commute to school in Blaydon.
The book which was selected by the Reading Agency was “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. “A beguiling read filled with warmth and humour, and a vibrant celebration of the power of books to change lives”. - Sunday Times.
Each station was able to choose their own times for distributing the book. Wylam caught the morning commuters, Hexham did late afternoon and Blaydon also did the afternoon to catch the young people returning home from school. It was a lovely sunny day and one of the first occasions the volunteers have been able to get back on the platform. Social distancing was practised and volunteers all wore their high viz jackets and masks. Northern staff were all warned about the event so the volunteers were given a toot from the passing train crews.
The passengers were pleased to be given a free book and it was good to be able to give passengers and unexpected gift for returning to the railway. In fact all the trains which passed seemed much busier than they had been in previous weeks.
The volunteers all enjoyed participating in this event. The weather was superb, and it was great to be able to engage with people again. Everyone was very happy to have been offered a book even if they declined it.
Social media helped to publicise the event, on Facebook the group “What's on Wylam” had a great response to their post. Wylam Brownies @wylmbrownies achieved their most liked tweet, including a like by author Matt Haig who included some of their photos on his Instagram page..
Overall the social media response to this initiative was very very positive and some of the comments were:
“...this kind gesture was very touching. I read the book to my kid on the train, we both enjoyed this soothing way to start the day”.
The Blaydon Facebook page said
“Fantastic, I am reading it right now...Matt Haig is a brilliant author”.
There were also a couple of other quotes saying something to the effect “I wish I had seen this earlier”, suggesting that other events of a similar nature would prove to be popular.
Marie Addison, Northern's Regional Community and Sustainability Manager (North East) said, “I was delighted to be involved in such an enjoyable event. It was fantastic to see the volunteers engaging with customers to support the annual celebration of World Book Night. A huge thank you to TVCRP and Station Adopters for handing out books at stations along the line”.
Rail Minister, Chris Heaton Harris and MP Guy Opperman were visiting the Tyne Valley Railway and also got involved when they met Fiona Forsythe, the TVCRP officer.
Fiona said,”Reading and trains go together! It was a great way to chat to passengers and what an opportunity for social media!”