Who we are ...
Founded in 2004, TVCRP (Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership) is a local, grassroots organisation connecting our communities and visitors with the Tyne Valley Railway (Carlisle-Newcastle). We promote sustainable and accessible travel, social inclusion and economic development. We provide a voice for our communities as we work with train operators, local authorities, and volunteers to enhance station environments, boost passenger numbers through local marketing and engagement with the tourism sector, and strive for rail services that meet local needs. We work with schools and youth organisations to support rail safety initiatives, highlighting the career opportunities available in the rail industry.
We are currently looking for new Directors to support our work and future projects. Exciting times are ahead as Great British Railways will create a new era for railways and we want to work towards shaping the new organisation so that it delivers for passengers and our communities.
Perhaps you are looking for ways in which to enhance your personal development and CV, or are approaching retirement and would like to get involved for the benefit of your local community or the region. Time commitments aren’t all consuming, knowledge of railways is not necessary; you will be able to bring skills and abilities that will make a difference, just as the we have for more than 20 years.
If you would like to learn more about how you could get involved with TVCRP, please email
In the time we’ve been around, we’ve accumulated a solid track record of achievements:
*Improved the timetable at Dunston, Blaydon, Prudhoe and stations from Hexham to Carlisle;
*Provided level access to the eastbound platform at Blaydon;
*Overseen the refurbishment of the platform buildings at Haltwhistle, and opened a café in the Water Tower
*Promoted sustainable rail travel along the route, to the area and throughout the country and encouraged those unfamiliar with rail travel to 'try the train'
*Developed a rail education offer encouraging school groups to visit Haltwhistle by train to learn about rail safety, rail travel and through role play how to buy tickets
*A range of innovative and successful projects acknowledged with awards at the prestigious national Community Rail Awards.
What we don't do is run the trains!
DIRECTORS, KEY EMPLOYEES & PARTNERS
TVCRP is a company limited by guarantee, its Directors are volunteers who contribute their experience, knowledge and time to making the Partnership and its projects a valuable asset to the area and the rail industry.
Current Directors are:
- Malcolm Chainey, Chair and Director
- Colin Moore, Legal and Corporate Governance Director
- Julie Gibbon, Projects Director and Company Secretary
- Anne Ridley, Marketing, Comms, Events and interim Finance Director
- Patrick Rice, Director and Chair of Tyne Valley Line Rail Users' Group
- Allan White, Infrastructure Director
- Pete Myers, Director
- Former Director Philip Clark now has a supporting role as Director Emeritus
Other key personel and organisations are:
Our Employees:
- Fiona Forsythe is employed as our Community Rail Partnership Officer and is instrumental in developing and delivering a wide range of projects.
- Several part-time staff are employed in the Water Tower Cafe.
Our Members:
Members of the Partnership are drawn from the local area, many being Parish Councils. Their role includes voting rights at the annual general meeting and they provide an excellent conduit for community engagement.
We are have received annual accreditation by the Department for Transport following reviews of our work, policies and processes and action plans for the year ahead to ensure we fulfil the role set our in the DfT's community rail strategy
Our Partners:
- Northern who operate services on the Tyne Valley route
- CrossCountry and LNER, who operate services on the East Coast mainline
- TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast, who operate services on the West Coast mainline
- Network Rail
- Community Rail Network, the membership body representing community rail partnerships and station adoption groups throughout the country
- Other Community Rail Partnerships throughout the country
- Station adoption groups who make the stations along the Tyne Valley Railway more welcoming
Other partners include North East Combined Authority, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, Northumberland County Council, Cumberland Council and Tyne Valley Rail Users Group We also have regular contact with local Parish Councils and Councillors, links with local businesses, tourism organisations and other public transport providers.
You can learn more about some of the ongoing and past projects throughout this site or by following us on our social media pages; follow @tvcrp.
We are members of:
Community Rail Education Network
Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade