During Community Rail Week 2025, the Bishop Line welcomed a group of adults from the Sporting Chance Project, Stockton to enjoy a day of rail heritage. Sporting Chance Project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of men aged 50+ from Stockton-on-Tees through activity, events and good company.
The group travelled by train accompanied by Richard Barber, a Volunteer at Locomotion, who brought history of the Bishop Line and the Stockton & Darlington Railway to life with his wealth of rail heritage knowledge.
The group explored Locomotion at Shildon, and Hopetown at North Road, and even had the opportunity to experience travelling through Shildon Tunnel, which is the most spectacular piece of engineering on the Bishop Line.
Gill Watson, Engagement Manager for Volunteering Matters Sporting Chance Project commented
“Not only was the train travel itself a novelty for some of the men on today’s trip, but the information and exhibits were a big hit, especially the ‘extras’ for the S&DR200 celebrations. Many of the men are going to return with their families and were really impressed how easy the train was as mode of transport for this visit.”
Felicity Machnicki, Officer for Bishop Line CRP commented
“We’re glad to enable trips like this, connecting our communities to their local heritage, and its wonderful having local contacts like Richard who made this trip more memorable for the group. It’s connections like these which Community Rail is here to help happen.”
What a great start to Community Rail Week 2025!
