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.”

Darlington Station is not formally adopted yet, but we are interested in finding an organisation or business who is keen to adopt this LNER managed station. If you are keen to get involved please get in touch.

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Newton Aycliffe station is not currently adopted, but we are interested in finding an organisation or business who is keen to adopt this Northern managed station. If you are keen to get involved please get in touch.

In 2018 students at Greenfield Community College, former adopters of Newton Aycliffe station, completed an art project called ‘Bring the Funny’ which aimed to promote wellbeing in the local community by raising the spirits of rail users. The students worked closely with artist and designer Nicola Golightly along with writer and director Laura Degnan to complete eight amusing poster boards which hung along the length of the station. They also constructed a fantastic interactive light box with a motion detector which was fitted inside the station’s shelters and triggered by passers-by. Comedian and artist Ruth Johnson also got involved to help the students record jokes which triggered when the light box illuminated. Those who took part in the project were all members of Youth Cree, a group designed to promote positive wellbeing, and all worked together as a team to complete this amazing project for their community.

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North Road station is adopted by Bishop Trains who have also adopted Bishop Auckland station and operate the booking office there. The youth team do a great job of maintaining the planters at North Road Station.

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We’re delighted that UTC South Durham have agreed to be station adopters for Heighington station. We are currently working with the students and staff on exciting plans for the station and will update you soon.

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Shildon station was adopted by New Shildon Residents Association, who work with local organisations to bring life and fun to the station.

They worked hard to maintain the beautiful planters which were painted by children from Timothy Hackworth School. And over the past few years they have worked with Greenfield Arts in Newton Aycliffe to create the art installations.

‘Shildon in Motion’ brings together Shildon’s past and celebrated its future through vibrant bold graphics.

and ‘We are here’ used creativity and imagination to find visual ways to celebrate and share the love of the railway in Shildon. You can find out more about this project on the project site.

We’re currently looking for a new adopter for Shildon so if you are interested please get in touch.

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Bishop Auckland station is adopted by Bishop Trains who also operate the booking office. The team do a fantastic job of making Bishop Auckland station friendly and welcoming.

When you’re on the platform you’ll notice the colourful artwork on the station wall influenced by the town’s history and features coal miners, the Eleven Arches and comedian Stan Laurel. You’ll also see the beautiful planters and hanging baskets which the team to a fantastic job of looking after.

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