Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership has collaborated with its many partners to host a Rail Safety and Careers Event for local Secondary School Students.

Over 100 Year 8 students from secondary schools along the Bishop Line attended the event at Locomotion. They spent the day learning about rail safety and potential careers in the rail industry so they not only could become rail safety ambassadors but also be inspired to consider rail when choosing their GCSE options.

They engaged in interactive sessions covering rail safety with virtual reality headsets and drones, potential rail careers and understanding their personality with a MySkills quiz, looking after their mental well-being, designing anti-trespass messaging and understanding the impact of anti-social behaviour.

There was even an opportunity for all the students to find out what it’s like to work in the rail industry from Drivers, Travel Safe Officer and British Transport Police Officers, as well as those behind the scenes in roles like train performance, planning and strategy.

They also met representatives from local colleges who introduced the students to relevant courses to access roles in the rail industry.

The world-famous Flying Scotsman even made an appearance, but it was fair to say that four-month-old trainee police dog, Bruce, stole the show!

Jess Young, Rail Education Officer for the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership said, “I hope that the pupils now have an understanding of the reasons why they need to stay safe around the railway and why that’s so important, and help us to spread that message, but also that they realise the breadth of career opportunities within the rail industry and that they go away today thinking – I didn’t know that role existed in rail and actually that really inspires me, and I’ve met somebody today who does that role and I can see myself in that role in the future.”

A film of the event is below, please watch it and share it.

A huge thanks to all those that supported the event – Bishop Auckland College, British Transport Police, CAF Rail, Community Rail Network, CrossCountry, Darlington College, Illumination Wall Art, Locomotion, Lonely Tower Film & Media, LNER, Network Rail, Northern, North East Combined Authority, the Railway Children charity, Shildon Station Adopters, TransPennine Express, Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership and Weardale Railway.

The Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is delighted to announce Paul Winstone as its new Chair. Paul joins the Partnership on an Interim basis to assist the partnership with a task & finish review of its governance. He is an engineer and has experience of governance with charities in our region.

Bishop Line CRP has been accredited by the Department for Transport every year since accreditation was introduced in 2019. During its 2023 accreditation meeting the Partnership identified that, to grow and diversify its membership it would be beneficial to review its governance, policies and processes and ensure the operation of the Partnership is fitting for 2025 and beyond.

Paul Winstone, Interim Chair for the Bishop Line CRP comments “It’s an exciting time for me, during the preparations for Railway 200, to promote the benefits of the Bishop Line by engaging with the community whilst pursuing my love of riding on railway for business and leisure.”

Paul was selected from some very strong candidates, and the Partnership’s Steering Group was pleased to attract such applications to a voluntary role.

Felicity Machnicki, Officer for the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership commented “Our Partnership has a track record of delivering engaging, impactful projects along the Bishop Line. With so many opportunities to deliver a wide variety of projects and activities which benefit the diverse communities along our line, we need governance which helps give our work meaningful direction. I look forward to working with Paul and the Steering Group to shape that vision and build a programme of work which delivers impact where it’s needed.”

The Auckland Project has launched a special Annual Pass discount for visitors travelling to Bishop Auckland by rail, to coincide with the Bishop Auckland Food Festival Weekend from 22-23 April 2023.

Rail travellers can enjoy 10% off the cost of a full-price Annual Pass at The Auckland Project on presentation of a valid rail ticket, which must be shown on arrival at any of The Auckland Project’s visitor attractions.

The Auckland Project Annual Pass costs £25 for adults, £12.50 for children, £37.50 for a family with one adult and £62.50 for a family with two adults. Up to four children can gain entry with a family pass and children under 5 go free.

To receive the discount, visitors must present:

• A Weardale Railway ticket, valid for any destination along the Weardale Railway line and for any travel date (including past or future travel)
• OR a rail ticket (either digital or paper) issued by an approved operator, valid for travel on the same date as the Annual Pass is being purchased with Bishop Auckland as the end destination.

This offer is only available in person and can be redeemed at Auckland Tower, Auckland Castle, the Spanish Gallery or the Mining Art Gallery.

Edward Perry, CEO of The Auckland Project, said: “The railway station in Bishop Auckland is a great asset for the town, connecting Bishop Auckland with the East Coast mainline at Darlington as well as linking Bishop Auckland with communities in the Durham Dales via Weardale Railway.

“We hope that many visitors will take advantage of this offer by travelling to Bishop Auckland by rail and exploring The Auckland Project’s diverse range of attractions.”

The special discount for rail travellers will run until further notice.

The offer does not apply to the already discounted local annual pass for DL4 and DL14 postcodes.