Introduction
What about becoming a volunteer? Fancy a change of scenery? -
Fancy a change of hobby? Take your pick -
Not much time? -
What to do to Start? Just come down to the Station at Llangollen and talk to someone on the platform. Explain that you are interested in volunteering and you will be welcomed with open arms!
Come down and talk to us,
you will find that we are a friendly bunch.
Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up and start driving trains, pulling levers, or waving flags straight away. These are known as “Safety Critical” positions where you need to get to understand the way the railway operates, then start training and finally pass the relevant tests.
The best way to start is to come to the station at about 10am on a normal Saturday or Sunday and find someone to talk to. Then start asking questions. If the person you are talking to doesn’t know the answer then they will know someone who does.
Trains are big and heavy and don’t stop dead. So, before you are allowed to go “trackside” you need to pass a test called a “PTS” in order to make sure you understand the dangers and the right way to do things. Once you have this certificate, you can get involved with a huge range of things to be done on the tracks, in the engine shed and in the carriage shed.
It should not take long to get to the stage when you can take the PTS test. To get the experience needed, you can help out on the stations and on the trains to learn the ropes.
Give the office a ring on 01978 860 979 to talk it through with someone.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, including some who work on the national
network in various capacities. Amongst others we have electricians, plumbers, dentists,
teachers, police, sales people, chartered engineers, students, vicars, civil servants
and the list goes on. Some choose to volunteer their services in the same capacity
as their full-
Who Do You Want To Be?
- The Steam Driver is what so many youngsters want to be. Driving up and down on a summer's day, hand on the regulator, looks such fun; but it's a long, hard slog to get there.
- The Cleaner is how all the steam drivers have to start, working in the shed, cleaning engines and learning how they work.
- The Diesel Driver is often perceived as inferior to the steam driver; a 'press the
button and go' person. In reality there's a whole lot more to it -
he also has to fix it when it goes wrong. - The Guard is in charge of the train, much to the chagrin of the driver. Only he can
decide when it goes! But is the guard just a flag-
waver, or does he have to do some real work too? - The Signalman pulls the levers that make the signals go up (or down) so the trains can go. Sounds simple? There's a bit more to it than that.
- The Signal & Telegraph Dept install and maintain the signalling systems, including what's connected to the levers that the signalmen pull.
- Other activities covers the many activities that don't neatly fit into one of the other categories yet.
Finding Out More
To find out more about volunteering, please get in touch with our volunteer coordinator Wayne Ronneback on: llangollen.railway@btinternet.com
Page Updated 15th January 2008 by John Rutter-
A Key Job -
Taking Bookings, Answering Questions about the Railway and the surrounding area and acting as the central contact point for the volunteers.
Left to Right: DMU Driver; Station Master; DMU Second Man; Guard; Ticket Inspector; Magazine Editor; Station Porter
