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Want to be a Volunteer?

Volunteer Information

Introduction

The railway is run primarily by volunteers. Certainly, if you have visited the railway, you will have seen them - the Driver, the Fireman, the Guard, the Signalman, the Booking Office Clerk, the Catering staff. But behind all these are a numbers of volunteers manning the office, taking bookings, answering enquiries, restoring coaches, cleaning carriages, maintaining the track and, in general, ensuring the railway runs efficiently. And we are an equal opportunity employer! Female volunteers can be found throughout the railway, manning the Ticket Offices, driving the Steam engines, operating the signals etc.

What skills do I need?

A willingness to smile and to help others do the same are the only essential qualifications! Also very desirable is the ability to be able to drink, and brew, copious cups of tea.

A few people have engineering skills, others are skilled in DIY, some are enthusiastic gardeners, others are totally unskilled. We recognise that volunteers normally have an interest in a specific area and will give them any necessary training to enable them to help. A very few jobs, such as engine Driver, you can't walk straight into and requires some training but most of us joined the railway, found out more about it as we went along, and settled into a niche.

How old do I have to be?

Our volunteers are of all ages and backgrounds. Some have graduated from our Junior Club, some are still at school, some have retired, others take their holidays working on the railway. The 'normal' age range is between 16 and 70.

What jobs can you offer?

There are always vacancies in all departments and you can be sure of a warm welcome wherever you choose to work. But, just as an example, we can use:

Book-keepers, Gardeners, Painters, Plumbers etc. For a fuller list please see below.

How much time to I have to give?

If you can manage a day a month on a regular basis we will be very pleased, more than that, we will be ecstatic! Some people come to work with us just over the peak season of July/August, taking time off work to do so. We are very pleased as this is the time our volunteer staff are fully stretched.

Our volunteers are the mainstay of our operation and you are welcome to assist us as and when you can, whether this be regularly or occasionally, either for a few hours or a few days.

What's in it for me?

Apart from good company, a friendly working environment and the involvement in a successful operation, frankly not a lot!

We, of course, offer free travel on the railway and a staff discount in our book and souvenir Shop. You can also enjoy travel benefits on other preserved railways. A monthly newsletter will keep you in touch with all that is going on and help you to feel part of the organisation.

Summary

Our volunteers come from all parts of the country and whatever time you can spare will always be appreciated. The railway and other volunteers will welcome your commitment and, in return, we can promise you a very fulfilling time. Volunteer accommodation is available at Sheringham in our air-conditioned sleeping coach. This is available through advance booking and there are self catering facilities attached. However these get tend to get little used as we are right in the centre of Sheringham and only a very short walk from the restaurants, cafes and pubs of this small town. Meals and refreshments are also available, at preferential rates, on operating days from the Buffet on the station.

So you still want to volunteer?

- Drop us an e-mail at enquiries@nnrailway.co.uk 

- Ring the Office on 01263 820800, or 

- Call in at Sheringham Station for full details.

Volunteers can help with the following:

Booking Office Attendants

Sell the tickets, answer the enquiries and generally meet the public. There are vacancies at all three of our stations, Holt, Weybourne and Sheringham. A vital job!

Buffet Car Attendants

Our buffet car runs at various times throughout the year providing alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, sandwiches etc. A chance to meet the public and ride the rails!

Buffet and Shop Staff

These are required for Weybourne and Holt, where the job is combined, and for Sheringham. The Shop at Sheringham is always busy selling anything from postcards to books to children's railway toys whilst the Buffet is well patronised.

A significant part of the railway's income comes from these areas.

Carriage and Wagon Department

This area maintains and restores our coaches and vans. Skills in carpentry, metalworking, upholstery, plumbing, varnishing, painting, sign writing, trimming, wiring would all be of use.

Carriage Cleaning

Although this is normally done by an outside contractor on a daily basis this work is supplemented during the day to keep the carriages clean for the travelling public.

Education

Our education department offers both outreach and in-house facilities to schools and visitors and we would welcome anyone interested in interpretation, including living history and producing resources.

Gardening

We are regularly complemented on the excellent manner in which our gardens are kept. If you have green fingers you would be welcome to assist the resident gardeners at Weybourne and Sheringham or, if you feel up to a challenge, you could try Holt.

Guards and Travelling Ticket Inspectors

This will require some training. Typically you will spend a period as a TTI checking the tickets, helping to answer passengers questions etc. whilst training to be a Guard. The Guard, contrary to popular belief, is in charge of the train. The Driver thinks he is, but the Guard knows better! Some volunteers, who have no desire to be a Guard, remain as TTI's and provide a very valuable service. Without money the railway doesn't run!

Locomotive Department

Engineering experience is a distinct asset but painters and general helpers are every bit as much in demands as fitters, turners etc. Our permanent staff would welcome your support in this area. The work covers steam and diesel traction.

Locomotive Operation

Newcomers to the steam department will begin as Cleaners and progress to become Fireman and Drivers. To operate our diesels you will progress through being a Diesel Cleaner, Second Man and finally Driver.

Model Railway

We have a large model railway covering 300 square feet at Holt. We are always on the lookout for responsible volunteers to run this exhibit and to answer queries from the onlookers.

Museum

Work in our Registered Museum either assisting to catalogue the many artefacts from East Anglian railway history or in the front line helping to show people around and answering their historical queries.

Office Administration

Work behind the scenes in the station office, answering telephone enquiries, taking bookings, sorting out the staff rosters, assisting the booking clerk, covering the shop at lunch time. The unsung heroes and heroines of the railway. It wouldn't be able to operate without them!

Permanent Way

Out and about on the track itself. Fencing, ballasting, walking the line, checking the track, cutting back lineside growth, are all vital jobs. The work is fairly strenuous but can be tailored to suit your specific requirements.

Promotion and Marketing

If you can help in this area you would be especially welcome. The railway, which is the largest attraction in North Norfolk, runs at close to full capacity in the peak holiday months but is always seeking ways to fill seats ‘out of season'. We are also looking to increase our exposure to the corporate market.

Signal & Telegraph

Looks after the installation and maintenance of our signalling equipment and telephone systems.

Signalmen

Training is necessary and some previous experience about the railway is desirable, but not essential.

Station Staff

Platform duties consist of overseeing the safe and punctual departure of trains, answering queries from the passengers, and generally ensuring their safety. Some assistance is always useful to assist wheelchair bound passengers on and off the train and to escort them safely across the railway. Manning the ticket barriers and helping to keep the station tidy also forms a part of the Station staffs' duties.

Other Vacancies

Vacancies exist at all our stations for handymen, painters, etc. to do the general upkeep necessary to keep our stations looking neat and tidy.

Please don't let a perceived lack of skill deter you. Full on the job training is given as necessary. But the main thing is to come and enjoy yourself! In short, if you have the time and enthusiasm we can make use of you!