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Volunteering at the Station

We are always looking for volunteers!

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Volunteering

The Railway is run by volunteers from all walks of life and age groups. When you visit us you will see the volunteers — the driver, signalman and station staff, answering enquiries and working on the line. In short, our volunteers ensure that the Railway runs efficiently and safely.

Volunteers are the mainstay of our operation and you are welcome to assist, as and when you can, whether this is on a regular or occasional basis. A willingness to work as a member of a team are the only essential qualifications — certain positions need acquired skills, but these can be obtained by 'on the job' training.

Where Can You Help?

Station Staff

Ticket Office

Selling tickets, answering enquiries, meeting and greeting the public.

Station Café & Kitchen

Making hot drinks, serving cakes and ice cream, washing up and clearing tables.

The Sidings' Bar

General bar work — serving drinks, cleaning, clearing glasses and wiping tables.

The Sidings' Catering

Cooking or serving the BBQ on steam days, Friday evenings and special events.

Gardening

Help maintain the station garden, undeveloped areas, and the adjacent camping field.

Railway Staff

Restoration — Buildings

Re-pointing, roof repairs, woodwork repairs and painting.

Restoration — Stock

Carpenters, engineers, coachbuilders, coach repairers and painters needed for locomotives and rolling stock.

Operating Department

Steam Locomotive Crew

Start as a cleaner, progress to Passed Cleaner (Fireman), then Driver — a multi-year, rewarding path.

Diesel Crew

Learn to drive under our experienced drivers across a variety of diesel engines.

Shunter

Acts as the driver's assistant.

Guard

In charge of the train and its safety. Trainees are rostered with an experienced Guard.

Vacancies in all areas — see our FAQs page for age restrictions.

Volunteering FAQs

We have volunteers from 16 to over 80. If you are aged 16–21, we will need to organise a responsible adult to be your mentor until you reach 21. Those aged 15 may come along for an informal chat with an adult present.
We work round you — if you can only help for a few hours a month then fine. We can find a role to fit the hours you want to give.
We are always on the lookout for particular skills — but even if you don't have any, we can always find a job to suit you.
Hopefully a sense of achievement, friendship with other volunteers, and copious amounts of free tea or coffee!
Whilst we don't have formal training programmes, we are more than happy to help people learn new areas if we have the manpower available.

Become a Member

Members ride for free and directly support the railway's preservation work. Membership starts from just a few pounds a year.

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