Volunteering Opportunities
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How to Volunteer
Volunteers, working on behalf of the WRA, play a vital part in both the operation and development of the railway. Specific "situations vacant" are listed on the Volunteer Vacancies Page but new volunteers are welcome at all times; opportunities exist for those who live locally and can provide a regular commitment but work can also be offered to volunteers whose availability is more limited or seasonal.
All volunteers who work on any part of the railway are required for insurance purposes to hold valid WRA membership.
If you wish to volunteer please contact Phil Smith (Volunteer Co-ordinator) on 01609 774733 who will be pleased to have chat with you about the various opportunities on offer.
You will then be asked to complete a Volunteer Registration Form in accordance with the Explanatory Note.
If you are interested in volunteering on an ad-hoc or temporary basis then please read the Temporary Volunteer section at the bottom of this page.
All new volunteers are offered an induction session and contact with the Induction Coordinator will be maintained until a position can be found with the appropriate Team Leader who will then take responsibility for the volunteer. New volunteers who offer general help but do not want to be assigned to a particular team will be listed separately and contact details circulated to Team Leaders from time to time.
Application packs are also available at Leeming Bar office and Leyburn Station shop.
Compliance with the terms of the Volunteer Agreement together with valid WRA membership ensures that individuals are covered by the WR plc insurance while engaged in volunteer activity on WR premises or land.
 The Leeming Bar Yard Manager ensures the ground/track is safe (Barry Wetherell) |  Putting the fridge into the buffet coach through the only door big enough (Barry Wetherell) |
Volunteers Meetings
Meetings are held on a regular basis and provide a forum for discussion and communication of latest news and forthcoming events. Presentations are frequently included.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting: Tuesday 7 July at 7.15pm, Bedale Station
Periodically extra curricular events are arranged to encourage volunteers to meet and participate in social activities. See Diary of Events Page.
Rail Link
You can read copies of the Volunteers Newsletter "Rail Link" by clicking on the relevant month :
2008 January February March July August
September October November December
2009 January February March April May June July
Please help us reduce costs - if you receive RailLink in paper format but could receive it via email instead then please contact Phil Smith.
Volunteer Communications ("Pass it On")
A communication system is being setup which will allow urgent information to get to all volunteers quickly. The idea is that each volunteer who DOES have email will, whenever they receive information by email, undertake to contact one other volunteer who DOES NOT have email and pass on the information.
If you would like to take part in the scheme please contact Diane Sykes by email or by telephone on 01677 426877.
Where Volunteers are Needed
The general scope of volunteering work is described below on a departmental basis. Work programme dates can be found within each department.
Operations
This department includes Train Crew (Drivers and Guards) and Level Crossing Keepers. Formal training is provided for these jobs. The entry point into Operations is normally as a Level Crossing Keeper with the option of progressing to Train Guard and then to Train Driver. You would work, according to your availability, to an agreed roster which includes volunteer and paid staff.
Contact WR Operations Manager on 01677 425805.
Rolling Stock Group
All aspects of maintenance and restoration are carried on our fleet of locos, Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), coaches and the Works Train.
Contact Rolling Stock Group (Barry Wetherell) on 01609 771705.
Repainting a carriage in
Leeming Bar yard
(Barry Wetherell)
Not all of this work requires special skills or strong muscles!
Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn is all we need. The work is varied to suit all tastes and capabilities. We would welcome more volunteers in this department to speed up the restoration to traffic of rolling stock that has been purchased for expansion of the train service.
The current Railway Rolling Stock list can be found on the Notice Board
RSG and Infrastructure volunteers complete the coal storage compound wall
- not made easy by the coal being delivered early !!
(Barry Wetherell)
Infrastructure
This department incorporates a wide range of duties related to the vital task of maintaining 22 miles of railway. Tasks include track work, track patrolling (essential to the continued safe operation and running of trains) and maintaining ditches, fences, bridges, buildings and level crossings. This work is done throughout the year. A wide range of skills can be learned "on the job" and Personal Track Safety (PTS) training is given before you start. The PTS Course is a pre-requisite for working on the line and in Operations. The qualification has a two year validity.
The department meets bi-monthly to address specific infrastructure matters. Work Parties are every weekend and every Wednesday evening. Contact Volunteer Work Party Coordinator (Angus Maude) on 01677 423046 (after 6pm) or General Training Enquiries.
Copies of forms used by the Infrastructure Team (Production Report and Track Patrol Report) can be downloaded and printed from the Forms Centre on the Notice Board Page.
Catering and Ticketing
The ex-Southern Region Class 422
TRBS carriage at Leeming Bar Catering is provided at Leeming Bar Station (static buffet coach), Leyburn Station (Arthur's Teabar) and on the trains.
Staff at these locations also sell the full range of train tickets. This work involves direct contact with our customers and provides a vital service.
Training is provided in all aspects of Customer Care including cash handling procedures.
Contact Amanda Pearson
(Customer Service Manager)
 Arthur's Teabar at Leyburn Station |  On Train Buffet |
Northallerton (ECML) Station Kiosk
The Wensleydale Railway operates this Station Kiosk selling hot and cold drinks, snacks, papers and magazines and a small range of WR related merchandise, inlcuding Relay magazine.
The kiosk is open from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. In addition to providing a valued service to rail passengers at Northallerton it is an excellent means of publicising the Wensleydale Railway. Volunteers are needed to maintain this "shop window" for our railway.
Contact Mike Sheehan on 01609 776518.
Retail
Retail outlets are located at the stations in Leyburn (shop in station building) and Leeming Bar (static shop coach).
| They sell a wide range of Wensleydale Railway branded items, other rail and transport-related goods, videos, DVDs, books, magazines and memorabilia; and local interest items. The shops represent another important interface with the public. Contact Leeming Bar Shop on 01677 423500 or Leyburn Shop on 01969 625182 or email Geoff Clarke. |  A member of the retail team in the converted Mark 2a shop carriage at Leeming Bar |
Working as a Station "Friend"
Opportunities exist to work on specific station projects currently being undertaken by the Minor Works Group (Contact Colin Cooper on 01609 777006) or Friends of Leyburn Station (Contact Betty Ackrill on 01969 625182).
The Leeming Bar Station Support Group (LBSSG) is a volunteer group responsible for management and improvement of the station facilities. There is a variety of work and regular attendance at the station is not necessary for some tasks. Contact Mike Sheehan on 01609 776518.
Friends of Redmire Station (FORS) - Contact Paul Warren - more details coming soon. Click for pictures.
The Bedale Station Group (BSG) has recently been set up with the long-term objective of promoting the development and operation of the station in ways which will be of benefit to both the Railway and the local communities in Bedale and Aiskew.
WR plc has invited the Group to submit ideas and plans for the use of the ground floor of the station building and this is currently being done.
Other tasks are to effect an orderly handover of responsibility from the Minor Works Group (as they come to the end of their mammoth project of decorating the interior) and to make some improvements to the external appearance of the station.
Contact Peter Harbord on 01609 761059.
Aysgarth Station has yet to join the operational railway but in Relay 51 (page 7)Acting General Manager John Ozelton confirmed he is leading a steering group looking at the options for extending the railway towards Aysgarth.
The station is not currently high on the priority list for funding but the building needs regular maintenance to keep the structure in good order until it returns to railway use; this is also of benefit to occupants of the holiday cottage.
The "Friends of Aysgarth Station (FOAS)" has been set up to raise funds, acquire appropriate equipment and undertake practical projects. Work achieved to date (March 2009) has been refurbishment of the kitchen, including fitting a new cooker and some of the furnishing has been replaced. Externally part of the roofing has been renewed and painting of the woodwork is ongoing.
We have a prioritised work plan which is delivered through our team of volunteers. Significant sums of money have already been raised through sales of donated items on eBay, so if you have something of which you have no further need, please email David Gibson and he can give you a view based on condition, size and location.
If you would like to help or receive more information, please register your interest by email or write to FOAS c/o Handsel House, Walden Close, Great Totham, CM9 8UJ.
Marketing and Administration
Will you help us to increase awareness of the Wensleydale Railway and travel opportunities ? 
Taking bookings There is a need to advertise and promote our presence at every opportunity. We host and organise special events (including "Day Out with Thomas" and "Santa Specials") and promote the railway at external events such as the Great Yorkshire Show.
We also mount displays at local libraries.
We need to distribute our timetables and leaflets to Tourist Information Offices, hotels and other tourist locations. Help with this and routine activities such as addressing and filling envelopes with publicity material and the packing of "Relay" magazine is always welcome. Contact Mike Sheehan on 01609 776518.
Social Committee
The Social Committee is chaired by Diane Sykes and plans and arranges social events for the Association. Diane would like to hear from any member who would be interested in joining the panel. This is volunteering of a different kind that may appeal to those who do not have the ability to fell trees or hump ballast.
Diane also welcomes feedback following events and on proposals for the future. You can contact Diane by email or on 01677 426877 (Home) or 01748 822282 (Office).
Cleaning Group
Daytime volunteers are needed to act as mobile cleaners while the trains are running. If you have some time to spare please talk to Maureen Stockbridge on 01748 822267.
Temporary Volunteers
If you cannot commit to regular volunteering or if you are friend of a regular volunteer and want to help at a particular event (eg Thomas) then there is now a temporary volunteer category. You do not need to be a WRA member and can simply sign up using the Temporary Volunteer Registration. Please also note the Temporary Volunteer Conditions.
Operation SpringClean (Angus Maude)