Ever wondered what it takes to operate a heritage steam railway? Perhaps you have considered getting involved yourself but are not sure whether it is for you? Then the Volunteers Day at the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway could well be for you.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 14 and aimed at all those that live within an hour’s drive of the railway, the Volunteers Day will provide a unique insight into this leading Mid-Wales tourist attraction and a chance to meet the friendly team that runs it.
While one of the best-known of Britain’s many heritage railways, the Welshpool & Llanfair operates with just four full-time paid staff – virtually all those involved in running the line are volunteers, crewing the trains, maintaining the track, tending the locomotives and rolling stock in the workshops, staffing the shops and tearoom, keeping the vegetation in check, and the 101 other jobs needed to keep trains running through the beautiful Banwy Valley.
“This day is aimed directly at anyone who has ever wondered whether volunteering might be for them, and you might be surprised at what you can end up doing,” said W&LLR spokesman Andrew Charman.
“While I’ve been the railway’s press officer for many years, I never imagined actually working on the locomotives. But when I moved locally in 2007, I was persuaded to sign up. I’ve been a qualified locomotive fireman for some years now, and greatly enjoy the role – it’s all-involving and a great way to make a whole new group of good friends.”
The Llanfair line relies on a wide variety of volunteers, and is always keen to attract more. These volunteers come from all walks of life, male and female, and are of all ages – there is something for everyone to do, whether you have specific skills or simply mere enthusiasm, and you don’t even have to particularly like trains to find a fulfilling role on the line.
Those who attend the Volunteers Day will be given an in-depth view of all aspects of the line in operation, from seeing inside the locomotive and rolling stock workshops, to learning how the track is maintained, duties at the stations and the responsibilities of signalmen.
A trip on the train forms part of the day during which the roles of the loco crew and guard will be explained.
Anyone that wishes to attend the Volunteer Day contact the W&LLR’s Volunteer Liaison Officer, Robert Robinson, on 07767 267830 or by email at volunteerliaison@wllr.org.uk, to book their place.