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, Matt Goodrum, 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.

Photos: Barney Stratford

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 and Buffet:

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

Locomotive 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 and Guards:

These are the people who run the trains. In order to become a driver or guard, a significant level of commitment is necessary, as well as extensive training.

Skilled Work:

We are always short of 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.