Interested in volunteering - advice?

Hi,

New member to the site. I’m looking for some info and advice around volunteering on a preserved line. I’m interested in becoming a guard (I realise that this usually a position you work up from after being platform staff etc). As an aside I am in my late 20s

I live in London so obviously some travel is required, I am open really on travelling somewhere more “local” for the day or travelling longer distance to a line with volunteer accommodation for 1 or 2 whole weekends a month.

Anyone got any recommendations? I imagine all lines have a different atmosphere etc but somewhere welcoming, friendly and positive would be a good start. I have heard some stories from a couple of friends about un-friendly/difficult experiences but appreciate that there are two sides and personalities in any situation. I am a pretty easy going sort of person.

I imagine the first step would be to go along, to specific new volunteer days etc, but want to get some research done before hand!

So, anyone looking for “wannabe” guards at the moment?....

Grateful for all advice and thanks in advance

 

For my money, Peak Rail would be great place to join the volunteer team. More info from www.peakrail.co.uk or 01629 580381. It's in Derbyshire, but there is a good train service to Matlock via Derby.

 

Hi Arun and welcome to the Forum. Almost any heritage railway would snap your hand off if you volunteered. You've started off well by recognising that personalities will very much come into play and your first impressions may well be coloured by who you meet in those first days. Whichever railway you choose, the best advice I can give is to persevere and be pro-active in getting involved; don't wait on the sidelines for someone to come along and guide you through it all.

You've said that you are open to daily travelling or weekends away. A lot of volunteers do so on more than one railway so you could combine volunteering on a local line with one that will require overnighting. As an example, a lot of volunteers work both on the NYMR and the KESR from both ends of the country so those who spend a day on the NYMR will go to the KESR for a short break, staying in their hostel accommodation and KESR locals will do likewise at the NYMR. You tend to get more involved with the social side if you are overnighting, as well. All railways are different and being involved with more than one gives you a wider insight into things and may well help you speed your way up the ladder. I know of one footplate person that is active on the Bluebell, KESR, NYMR and NNR. Variety is the spice of life!

 

Just about everywhere seems to be short of guards, so you should be very welcome.

True at the Bluebell but not at any of the places I've actually worked. Some training is required as a guard has safety responsibilities, but this can take as little as a few months.

If you don't have any strong preference, I suggest choosing somewhere close (map, travel information) to save on travel time and money; while there isn't much in the immediate London area because it needs all the track it can get for commuters, there are several much closer than most of those named above. Didcot, next to the mainline station 39min by train from London, would probably be the most convenient choice, but it is a short line (~800m, 1/2 mile) and lacks run-rounds (giving the guard the extra responsibility of watching the line ahead when the loco is on the rear). If you would prefer a longer line, try Epping Ongar (currently closed) or Spa Valley, both around 1hr20 from London. If you're not sure which you prefer, or you like variety, you can volunteer for more than one.

Agreed.

Contact details can usually be found on the line's website; before volunteering you need to become a member (for insurance reasons) and may need to attend a safety induction, and for operational jobs such as guarding, be put on the roster (typically done a few weeks to a few months in advance, so don't leave it till the start of season). I wouldn't wait for a volunteer recruitment day, those I've seen are more about selling the idea to the undecided.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. Good advice and some stuff to think on.

 

Arun,
The Spa Valley Railway is certainly on the look out for both Guards and Train Crew, especially as we expect to open through to Eridge very soon. We have good road and rail links available to London. Training for Guard normally starts with TTI (Travelling Ticket Inspector) rather than station staff and speed of progression in any grade depends on competence and the wishes of the individual. I know our volunteer liaison officer would be pleased to hear from you, and arrange an introductory tour,
Jon

 

The Severn Valley Railway is specifically recruiting volunteer guards, see http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010/08/15/severn-valley-railway-seeking-guards/ which also has contact details. You'd be very welcome, a longer line, intermediate stations, busy trains, 5 engines in steam, lovely scenery. As others have mentioned, you can be a volunteer at more than one. It has regular volunteers from afar.

Good luck

Patrick

 

I can recommend the KESR to you and there are vacancies in all deptments - the same as most other heritage railways. All the info can be found on their website.

Just one bit of advice - if you have a bad experience at your potential railway/s and decide that its not for you, dont give up - just change the railway.

 

I could not have put that better myself Brendan, well said.

Keep trying until you find the one that suits you , do not be put off by some petty minded individual who thinks that they own a particular Railway.

Good luck to you.

Chris Willis
Mid-Hants railway:

 

I can vouch for two lines - the Corris and the SKLR. I live in SE London and manage to get to Wales a number of times each year. Both lines are most friendly and welcoming, do send a pm for further details if you'd like to visit either or both to see how things go.

 

It's worth considering that the first one you decide to try out may not be for you. Different railways have different characteristics and personalities. Some places are quite quiet and tick over without much fuss while others are more dynamic and ambitious. You may find you fit in better with one that suits your own type of personality.

 

Thanks for the replies and PMs

 

Just having watched this (edit: it's about heritage rail generally, not just the Corris!), it occurred that not everyone on here will be as allergic to social media as this old fart. Somehow, I can't see regular YouTuber Lawrie objecting to any with a Twitter or FB account and the inclination to do so getting this [18'13"] out there:



Here's his new website. Looks still under construction, but the contact feature looks to be workiing: https://www.lawriesmechanicalmarvels.com/

 

Deleted. Just seen this is an 11 year old thread!

 

Yes but would be good to know how the OP got on 11 years later. Are they still volunteering, at which railways and what their experiences are.

 

My fault. When I run across some new item, I always search for an existing relevant thread title before starting a new one ... we've so many near duplicates! This time, I forgot to mention that's what I'd done. Sorry for any confusion.