How You Can Help Volunteering

Introduction

Almost all of the Railway's activities are carried out by our dedicated team of volunteers, including driving the trains, maintaining the track, and selling the tickets. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages: some have just left school, while others are retired. One thing that they have in common is that they get a great deal of enjoyment from what they do. As a new volunteer, you will quickly find yourself in the midst of the action, meeting many new friends in the process.

Whatever your interest, or even if you haven't yet discovered your area of expertise, the Mid-Norfolk Railway will have something to offer. You don't need any specific skills or previous railway experience, as training will be given as necessary. No commitment is required; you can give as much or as little of your time as you choose.

For further details, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Dereham Station, or e-mail volunteer@mnr.org.uk. Alternatively, you can just turn up at the station on any day when train services are running.

Left: The guard gives the train permission to depart. Right: Painting levers in a new signal box. Photos: Graham Moates

What's In It For Me?

Imagine you're sat in an office. The person on the other side of the desk leans forwards slightly, his tie swinging perilously close to his cup of coffee, and asks you "What have you done since finishing your last job?". You breathe a sigh of relief, for your work with the Mid-Norfolk Railway has enabled you to apply your skills and learn new ones, has enabled you to work with others on challenging projects, and has been of benefit to the local community. All of these attributes put you ahead of the competition, and you are offered the job.

A number of our volunteers have begun careers in the rail industry with the Mid-Norfolk Railway. If you're looking for a way in, then the experience you can gain from joining us will be invaluable, and you will be able to make industry contacts while you're with us.

People go the other way as well. A significant proportion of our volunteers started out in the professional industry and enjoy their work to the extent that they are willing to do it for free with us in their spare time as well. Can you say that about your work?

What Jobs Can I Do?

Crossing Keeping:

Our railway has many level crossings, most of which have manually-operated gates. The crossing keepers open the gates to allow trains to pass. One day's training required.

Shop:

Dereham Station has a small souvenir shop and ticket office, which are manned whenever trains are running.

Special Events:

We run many special events throughout the year, including Santa Specials, Diesel Galas, Model Railway Days and many more. If you're interested in helping with organising or running these events, then we'd love to hear from you.

Locomotive and Rolling Stock Maintenance:

Our fleet of heritage diesel locomotives requires constant maintenance to ensure that they run reliably. We also restore locos from scrap condition to working order.

Drains and Fences:

These folks maintain the lineside drains and fences, as well as keeping the vegetation at bay.

Permanent Way:

The permanent way team is in charge of maintaining the track itself. The work is sometimes quite heavy and dirty, but is also highly rewarding.

Drivers, Guards and Signallers:

These are the people who run the trains. In order to become a driver, guard or signaller, a significant level of commitment is necessary due to the safety-critical nature of this work. Those who already hold the appropriate qualifications from other railways are most welcome.

Steam Crew:

The MNR has a small team of in-house drivers and firemen available to work visiting locomotives. Established drivers and firemen are welcome to take MNR membership, but are asked to realise that they will be expected to assist other departments between duty and also to understand that the railway has a dual diesel and steam traction policy. Crewing of steam locomotives is at the discretion of the owners.

Skilled Work:

We are always short of carriage body shop skills including panel welding. Other ongoing needs include builders, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other skilled workers. If you'd like to volunteer, then there will be jobs available in almost every department!

Gardening:

There are gardens and flower pots at various places along the line, primarily at Dereham.