Alfie Whittaker joined Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (MVCRP) on student placement from Bedford College in October 2021. Alfie was on the third year of his Foundation Skills Internship course. This involved two days per week with MVCRP and one day at college studying English and Maths.
Alfie’s interest in railways began at a young age when he was given a Hornby train set. He has gradually gained more knowledge and understanding of trains and how the rail network works as a whole, leading him to wish to pursue a career as a member of train crew.
Alfie has enjoyed being part of the MVCRP team during the 175th Anniversary Year of the Line, which began in November 2021. He has helped organise a number of the Anniversary Events including the Fun Day & Exhibition and has provided input to the design of the Anniversary vinyls on two of the Class 230 units.
Some of his other placement highlights have included attending the Community Rail Awards in Southampton in December 2021 and being part of the Engaging Young People in Community Rail Panel at the Community Rail Conference in Nottingham in March 2022.
Alfie recently had the opportunity to visit Birmingham New Street and the London Northwestern Railway Head Office at Edmund Street as part of Community Rail Week where he met a range of staff including a driver, senior conductor and members of the management team to learn about their roles.
Alfie is continuing his involvement with MVCRP as newly-elected Youth Ambassador following the conclusion of the placement in July 2022. This role is the first of its kind in the country and will include attending MVCRP Steering Group meetings and volunteering one day a week.
Alfie has also joined the London Northwestern Railway Customer Panel and the Stakeholder Equality Group.