Fancy volunteering?

It often isn't necessary to buy proper overalls; in the workshop you can wear just about anything you're willing to permanently stain (loco paint does not wash off, and can sometimes soak through and stain more than one layer), and even for driving you can often get away with anything cotton (for fire safety reasons) and vaguely the right colour, which can be obtained cheaply from a charity shop.

I have also encountered such annoyances as you describe, though I believe them to be lack of organisation/lack of customer service oriented volunteers (there's also a near permanent shortage of guards and shop staff) rather than a deliberate attempt to put off those who only want to drive. I've never left a line because of disorganisation, as the extra travel to get to a different one would probably waste more time and money in the long run, but I wouldn't blame anyone who chose not to volunteer at all because of it.

The obvious choice in North Cambs would be the Nene Valley. There's also the Bramley project, but they aren't actually running trains yet.

 

I will look into the cotton clothing situation good sir, that's a good idea. Sadly the Bramley line is out as nothing much seems to be happening there, it's more Brambles Line than Bramley line at present. The Nene Valley is ok, but doesn't seem that well organised on the volunteer side alas. That leaves me with the North Norfolk 80 miles away with it's volunteer accomodation problems myself and the previously mentioned friend found, the Mid-norfolk which seems generally unfriendly and the Rutland Railway Museum which is fab but is quite a hike and has no volunteer facilties such as accomodation and has problems getting responsible officers to keep an eye on things when volunteers are on site. Myself and a friend volunteered to do a full week there but no one was available to be Responsible Officer for the site, shame really.

It seems that volunteers aren't needed out this way of the world alas.

 

Anybody fancy volunteering to return a class 14, 15 and 28 to working order you can send an email to volunteering@d82x33.org.uk (remove the x, its a spambot trap). We try very hard to make you as welcome as we can, and also vary the jobs you will do to keep you interetsted! Yes there is loads of de rusting and painting which can be pretty dreary, but theres lots of other more interesting jobs too. We also like to try and give you the opportunity to learn new skills like welding, spraying etc when we have a little time spare.
Jim

 

I would like to volunteer with a view to training towards being a locomotive Fireman (and maybe a bit of steam restoration work as well.)
Living in Braintree there are a couple of smaller railways nearby, and about 4 larger ones within 100 miles.
If I had a weekend a month to spare, (maybe more) can anyone recommend anywhere that could make use of me whilst helping me towards my goal?
Any advise welcome on how you made your choice.

 

Hi James

Have a quick look at our website http://www.eorailway.co.uk it gives you an idea of whats going on and our current progress.

Plus we are very close to you, just the other side of Chelmsford.

Barry

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCla2Lp7qTs

Having watched this, I have to say it is one of the best advertisements I've seen to encourage volunteering.

 

verry good, but all preserved railways should have the same appeal as long as the person giving their time freely dont feel that they are wasting their time thats the important bit, you have to make them feel wanted, and useful, even jobs such as emptying the ash pit are important and shouldnt be seen as something to keep someone busy ,ive been very lucky im my experience, ive always been made welcome and very quickly accepted, but you do hear of the horror stories of people turning up and basically being ignored so they move on, and probally dont bother again.

As a body, those of us who are active at our railway sites are all faced with a very stark reality, we are all getting older and fresh blood is needed , younger people have so many choices with how to spend their leasure time , but i have never lost the sence of achievment when that boy or girl, you took under your wing at say 14, go on their first footplate turn, pass their firing test and become the next generation who love steam as much as we do, they are out there, but we have to ensure we keep hold of them

 

Martin - send that to every preservation organisation in the UK will you - the professional snobbery that goes on in someplaces, usually coupled with pleas of penury, only mitigate against both involvement and a fuller sense of community.

The trick is to be committed to the project and not its managers - as an email to one such organisation, two hours in the drafting, indicated this morning! :deadhorse:

 

Does anyone know of any railways around Merseyside?

 

Birkenhead Tramway would appear to be your closest. If trams are not to your taste there are several options a little further away, see this map.

 

Thanks

 

I really want to volunteer but i'm finding it hard to find a railway close by, as I live in Redcar and it will take an hour at the most if not longer, and I love to travel and have the experience with people, and have the experience with the loco's too its just hard for me, if anyone can help it would mean at lot.

 

There are a few railways in the NE you could get involved in. Obvious one is NYMR and there are several member on here from there. There also Tanfield and they are a decent group of people up for a good laugh, and if you're into Industrials even better for you. Then there's the Weardale as well though not sure if we have any volunteers from there on here.

If you are prepared to travel further afield, several railways have accommodation for volunteers so you could stay overnight if needs be.

 

thanks lil Bear i might try the NYMR as i have not been there before i will ask around as i do know one person who works there now and again, but as for the other ones i dont know much about them and where they are

 

You mentioned having loco experience: was that driving, maintaining or both? There's also Bowes, Beamish (trams) and a static museum/workshop at Darlington, but I don't personally know any of them. This map links to their websites, which should give you general information and contact details.

 

i have experience cleaning and did lite up a few loco's and got my hands dirty in getting under the loco to grease under and did maintaince work in the loco shed

 

Can I ask whereabouts and did you not wish to get involved there?

You have said that you are about an hour away from your nearest railway. In all honesty, this is not far. The NYMR (and others) have people regularly travelling from Holland and other countries, which is easier than Cornwall, where others come from. A lot depends on whether you need to be able to do it within a day or you are willing to stop overnight.

 

i was volunteering at the Great Central Railway in Loughborough and i had that chance to get involved there but i didnt like it much its a long story, and i have sent the NYMR an e-mail about volunteering and hopefully will be hearing from them, i know its not far but it is by bus, i've never been on the train to Whitby which the station is close and i would need to get the train from there to the NYMR and i am willing to stay over night but as long as nothing happens to me

 

Hi,

As far as getting to the NYMR Grosmont is where you would change if going by rail. Going on National Rail Enquiries its about an hour and a half by rail. It is possible to commute to use such a word and get back within the day by public transport. I've frequently done this to get to MoSI in Manchester from Leeds setting off at 7 and getting back at 7 at night. As for accommodation a number of railways have their own accommodation eg converted carriages or hostels however most would also be able to recommend local B&Bs, hotels and camp sites nearby as well.

Regards
Duncan

 

Duplicated the above post but to add to the above is I have stayed at rail accommodation whilst down on the Fffestiniog and Welsh Highland. The first time I volunteered I didn't stay at railway accommodation and stayed at a camp site near Porthmadog. Since then I've stayed at the railways accommodation at Penryhn and Minfford as it was cheaper and a lot better than camping- particually in bad weather!

Regards
Duncan