8th June 2024 – Volunteer Open Day
Start your volunteering journey with Llangollen & Corwen Railway!
Curious to know more and take a look around?
Join us on the 8th June 2024 to find out more about the roles we have available.
Meet our volunteers, enjoy a ride on the train and take a tour behind the scenes.
Book your place now – Open Day Booking Form
If you can’t make the Open Day in June further dates will be available throughout the year.
Join us as a volunteer…
All ages and abilities are welcome. Make new friends and learn new skills.
To become a volunteer, complete the form below and our Volunteer team will be in touch. If you want to find out more information about volunteering, email vlo@llangollen-railway.co.uk or telephone 01978 860979 during office hours.
If you apply to become an active volunteer at Llangollen Railway, you will have an induction in addition to comprehensive training with the department you join. You will also be issued with an identity card that will entitle you to concessionary travel (Terms & Conditions apply).
We understand commitment can vary and you can volunteer as often as you like. The more frequently you volunteer the quicker you will gain the knowledge and experience in the role you wish to undertake.
We look forward to welcoming you as a new volunteer to the Llangollen Railway.
Volunteer Application Form
We have a wide variety of volunteering opportunities available including customer-facing and non-customer-facing roles.
Station Staff
We have various roles available at each of our five stations including booking office staff, platform staff, retail and catering staff.
Station Staff look after each station. Station masters run teams who greet passengers and give them information, keep stations tidy and take part in working parties to maintain and decorate stations.
Guards
The guard is in charge of the train and their role is to ensure the safety of the train and its passengers. They watch signals and all safety aspects. Only the Guard can give the signal for the train to move. Rules must be learned, and regular exams and assessments to be passed. When only one train is running, Guard also operates the Signal Box at the end of the line to run the Locomotive round the train. A dress code operates for this role and you need to undergo a medical.
Travelling Ticket Inspectors
The travelling ticket inspector (TTI) is the person that most passengers meet. The TTI travels on the train, checks tickets, issues tickets where applicable, and advises passengers on all sorts of things. The TTI may also assist the Guard with some other tasks. You need to enjoy working with the public. A uniform is required for this role.
Events and Administration
Event co-ordination and administration takes a lot of time and volunteers are essential when it comes to running our larger events.
During larger events, especially our Santa Specials, we do require additional staff to help check tickets, guide our passengers, man stations and even dress as Elves to help Santa deliver presents.
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General Maintenance
With a wide variety of buildings covering a 10 mile stretch of line, we have many general maintenance tasks to undertake. This could include mending fences, changing locks, gardening, cleaning, plumbing, general labouring and painting.
Heritage Group
Our Heritage Group enhance the appearance of our stations for our visitors from a bygone era. The mix of work is varied from restoration of genuine GWR and railway heritage to the painting of fire buckets. A great opportunity to contribute and learn.
Signalling Department
Signallers operate the Signal Boxes. There are five Signal Boxes, including one with a Level Crossing to operate. The Signaller controls the movement of trains through the Section using a system of tokens, which are linked to the Signal Boxes at each end of the Section. There are Rules and Bell Codes for the token machines to be learnt, and regular exams to be passed.
Steam Locomotive Cleaner, Fireman and Driver
Many people want to be a steam locomotive driver but it is a long, hard slog to get there.
You will start in the Shed, as a cleaner, cleaning the engines before the day’s work and learning how they work. Early starts are necessary by the way! As a cleaner, you will gradually learn how to fire the engine and manage the boiler. There are operational rules to be learned and exams to be passed before you become a fireman.
From here, you may eventually train to be a driver. Yet more exams and regular assessments to be passed. The whole process will take several years and much dedication to the task.
Other Roles
If you cannot work regularly, we run many special events, such as our Santa Specials. Help is always needed for these events.
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Carriage & Wagon Department
Our C&W Department repairs and restores carriages including both interior and exterior renovations. If you have any of the following skills – metalwork, woodwork, welding, electrics, upholstery, painting, we need your help.
Permanent Way (P-Way)
Our P-Way team are responsible for line inspection, maintenance, hedging and fencing. If you enjoy working outdoors, as part of a team, this is a great department for you.
Motive Power Department (MPD)
MPD covers both steam and diesel operations. (For Diesel Group see next page).
There are two sections detailed here, footplate crew and maintenance.
Training to drive a steam locomotive can take many years. Everyone has to start at the bottom which involves cleaning locomotives and helping in the shed. Very early starts are expected as there is a lot to do to prepare the locomotive for the day’s running.
If you are interested in the mechanical side of locomotives you may be interested to learn more by volunteering in MPD assisting with the restoration and maintenance of our locos. Skilled and unskilled volunteers are required engaging in tasks ranging from cleaning and painting to machining and assembly.
Diesel Group
Our Diesel Group operate 3 diesel locomotives at Llangollen and both skilled and unskilled volunteers are welcome.
You can help with the maintenance, and learn how they work, starting as a traction trainee and then becoming a second man before progressing to driver. This also entails learning the operational rules and passing exams.
Heritage Railcar (DMU) Group
Our DMU Group operate 4 DMU’s and both skilled and unskilled volunteers are welcome.
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![thumbnail__B150040E two people standing next to a diesel shunter](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/thumbnail__B150040E.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![thumbnail__B150011E a man in a workshop looking at plans](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/thumbnail__B150011E.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![_B150077E a man standing in front of a steam locomotive in a shed](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/B150077E.jpeg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Wayne – credit Bill Hancock a stationmaster wearing a suit and tie](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Wayne-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Volunteers working in the tunnel – credit David Tyrer a group of people working on railway tracks inside a tunnel](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Volunteers-working-in-the-tunnel-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Volunteers in action – credit Bill Hancock a man walking on a station plaform next to a diesel locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Volunteers-in-action-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Volunteers at Llan – credit Ian Rayson a group of people sitting in front of a signal box](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Volunteers-at-Llan-credit-Ian-Rayson.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Volunteers at Christmas Santa and his elves on the Llangollen Railway Christmas Sleigh](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Volunteers-at-Christmas.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![TTI – credit Bill Hancock a man wearing a suit and tie standing next to a train carriage](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/TTI-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Track volunteers – credit David Tyrer Volunteers in high vis clothing sat on railway sleepers taking a break](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Track-volunteers-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![thumbnail__B150005E a man in a workshop fixing parts](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/thumbnail__B150005E.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Tim Hines on Loco – credit Owen Hayward a man sitting on top of a steam locomotive whilst watering](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Tim-Hines-on-Loco-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Sue and Peter – credit David Tyrer volunteers behind a fence outside Corwen Station](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Sue-and-Peter-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Steam crew – credit Owen Hayward a group of people standing in front of a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Steam-crew-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Ryan and Doug at Corwen – credit Bill Hancock Two men on a station plaform talking](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Ryan-and-Doug-at-Corwen-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Roger, Pete and Matt – credit David Tyrer Three volunteers stood next to a diesel locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Roger-Pete-and-Matt-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Roger – credit Bill Hancock a train guard wearing a hat stood at the end of a carriage](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Roger-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Phil Coles – credit David Tyrer a man stood on a station platform](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Phil-Coles-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Paul Evans passing out at Fireman – credit Andy Maxwell A volunteer being presented with a certificate in front of a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Paul-Evans-passing-out-at-Fireman-credit-Andy-Maxwell.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Paul and Ryan – credit Bill Hancock Two men looking out of the window of a signal box](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Paul-and-Ryan-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Paul and Roger – credit Bill Hancock A driver and guard stood next to a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Paul-and-Roger-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Martin – credit Bill Hancock a man wearing a suit and tie stood next to a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Martin-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Mark inspecting – credit Owen Hayward a volunteer peering inside the workings of a locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Mark-inspecting-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![LLan Station a man standing next to a clock on Llangollen Station](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/LLan-Station.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Karl and George on Diesel – credit Terry Pickthall Two volunteers inside the diesel loco cab](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Karl-and-George-on-Diesel-credit-Terry-Pickthall.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Joe on Austin 1 – credit Owen Hayward A man sitting on the edge of a steam engine under a bridge](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Joe-on-Austin-1-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Joe and Tez on diesel – credit Bill Hancock a man standing in the doorway of a diesel loco whilst the driver peers out of the window](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Joe-and-Tez-on-diesel-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Jo, Nick and Iain on 3802 – credit David Tyrer Three volunteers on the footplate of a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Jo-Nick-and-Iain-on-3802-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Jo and Martin – credit Bill Hancock A group of volunteers chatting on the footplate of a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Jo-and-Martin-credit-Bill-Hancock.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![HRA Corwen Award a group of people posing for the camera with an award](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/HRA-Corwen-Award.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Harry in yard – credit Owen Hayward a man walking down a yard next to a train](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Harry-in-yard-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Guard making notes – credit David Tyrer a train guard wearing a suit and tie and making notes in a book](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Guard-making-notes-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Grant cleaning – credit Owen Hayward a man cleaning part of a steam locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Grant-cleaning-credit-Owen-Hayward.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![George working on DMU A man working underneath a heritage railcar](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/George-working-on-DMU.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![DMU team working Volunteers fixing a window on a heritage railcar](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/DMU-team-working.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![DMU discussions a group of volunteers discussing heritage railcar repairs whilst inside a railcar](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/DMU-discussions.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Diesel photo – credit Terry Pickthall a group of people standing next to a diesel locomotive](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Diesel-photo-credit-Terry-Pickthall.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Corwen team a group of people posing for a picture at Corwen Station](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Corwen-team.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Corwen team on a break – credit David Tyrer a group of people sitting and standing in front of a building on a platform](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Corwen-team-on-a-break-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Corwen Staff a group of people standing on a platform](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Corwen-Staff-e1717688726340.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Corwen Office volunteers – credit David Tyrer a group of volunteers behind the counter at Corwen Station](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Corwen-Office-volunteers-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Corwen Gang – credit Pete Neve a group of worker in high vis clothing stood behind a buffer stop at the end of a railway line](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Corwen-Gang-credit-Pete-Neve.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Civils gang at Glyn – credit David Tyrer a group of volunteers working on the platform at Glyndyfrdwy Station](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Civils-gang-at-Glyn-credit-David-Tyrer.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![Awards Dinner a group of people sitting at a table with wine glasses](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/06/Awards-Dinner.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)
![20240512_125935 two people sitting in a train carriage reading books and listening to the radio](https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5069/2024/05/20240512_125935.jpg?resize=133.33333333333%2C133.33333333333)