Wensleydale Railway. Volunteer Handbook

Transcription

1 Wensleydale Railway Volunteer Handbook

2 Contents INTRODUCTION... 1 VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUP... 1 OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERING... 2 TRAINING... 2 OPERATIONS... 2 INFRASTRUCTURE... 3 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING... 4 COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING... 5 STATION SUPPORT... 5 COMMUNICATION... 7 BRANCH MEETINGS... 8 UNIFORM ITEMS... 8

3 1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Wensleydale Railway. People may volunteer for any of a number of reasons. Some of these could be to fulfil their ambitions, to do good work, or to release their creativity. The Wensleydale Railway could be the place to do this as it relies on volunteers not only to enable the trains to run, but also to provide support in a range of other roles. There are many opportunities for volunteers to make use of any skills that they may be able to bring to the Railway, from administration, through retail and catering, to maintenance/repair activities and on to driving locomotives. The Wensleydale Railway Association (Trust), WRA(T), is currently the part of the Railway organisation that deals with the recruiting members who can then become volunteers. To comply with insurance requirements membership of the WRA(T) is required before you can explore the many options available to you. This Volunteer Handbook gives an insight into the volunteer options and the support available to volunteers. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUP The Volunteer Support Group (VSG) provides support and advice to volunteers and acts as a link between them and the management of the Railway. Typically it has ten members including a chairman and secretary, who are all volunteers; the membership is reviewed regularly and may consult advisors when any issue requires additional expertise. The Volunteer Coordinator is also a member of the Group. The VSG provides a confidential advice service to volunteers who have sensitive issues that need attention. Details of the Group and membership are on the Volunteer section of the Wensleydale Railway website, and it can be contacted by at:- volunteer@wensleydalerailway.com. If you do not have you may write to the Volunteer Coordinator at The Wensleydale Railway Leeming Bar Station Leases Road Leeming Bar NORTHALLERTON DL7 9AR Alternatively you can telephone on

4 2 OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERING Route to Volunteering STEP ONE Join the Wensleydale Railway Association (Trust). Volunteers are WRA(T) members STEP TWO Attend an Induction This gives information about the WR as well as an outline of Health and Safety STEP THREE - Obtain a Personal Railway Safety (PRS) Certificate All Volunteers must have a PRS. It is essential that volunteers can demonstrate safety when working on the Railway STEP FOUR Start volunteering TRAINING The Volunteer Coordinator arranges volunteering with a manager/supervisor who will advise what further training is required for the activity done by the volunteer. All volunteers must have a valid Personal Railway Safety certificate before they can do any work on the Railway and this is arranged by the Volunteer Coordinator (see above). Usually, volunteers will opt for something that they already know about, so minimal training will be required. If however, the volunteer wants to choose something entirely different, appropriate training will be arranged if necessary. The Volunteer Coordinator can be contacted by at:- volunteer@wensleydalerailway.com. OPERATIONS Operations Department runs the trains, with activities ranging from Level Crossing Keeper to Driver. These are also the usual steps to take to become a driver. Level Crossing Keeper the first step on the ladder. There are a number of crossings which have to be manned in order to permit safe passage of the train through them, usually by flag. Volunteers must be alert in order to keep the trains to the timetable.

5 3 Guard a bigger step on the ladder. The Guard is a necessity. No Guard, no go. So it s important, and of course it means rules need to be learned to cover the safety aspect. But if a volunteer is a people person, then they get to meet lots of them. If not, it s a chance to brush up on public relations. In either case they can help fly the flag for the Railway. Signaller recent additions to equipment have meant that more of the line is being controlled by signalling. This of course requires more volunteers to operate the system. Volunteers may even get to work in a signal box. Driver this is a little different from driving a car! Although a diesel multiple unit does have gears they have to be treated with reverence and skill, so the learning process isn t over yet. The line also needs to be learnt, that is, what is the line speed, where are the crossing points, what does that signal mean? But, if friends need impressing, what better than to say you have just driven a 2000hp locomotive. Not to mention that the office is 22 miles of picturesque scenery. INFRASTRUCTURE Working all year round, this department maintains the track and performs associated activities from signalling and telecommunications to electrical work. The associated activities include track work, track patrolling, maintaining ditches, fences, bridges and level crossings. This sounds like heavy and potentially hazardous work so personal protective equipment is essential and consists of hi-visibility jackets/coats, boots with protective toe caps, helmets and heavy duty gloves. Don t be put off though, as there is scope for lighter duties. Track Gangs - replace worn out track and sleepers as well as laying new sections of track. At present there are two gangs in operation, based at Leeming Bar and Leyburn, working every Tuesday and weekends and holding regular departmental meetings to discuss specific infrastructure issues. Track Walker - The track needs to be inspected regularly to ensure that it is in good condition and that any potential problems are reported and dealt with appropriately. This is where those who appreciate the countryside, and their own company, can find their niche, as it is usually one person working alone. Signalling and Telecommunications - Expertise in electrical gear and communications equipment is the name of the game here and will always be in demand on the Railway. Electrical Engineering - Without properly installed and maintained wiring the Railway could not work safely, so we need volunteers with expert knowledge in this field. Don t have the expertise but a willingness to learn? Become an electrician s mate and learn on the job

6 4 Vegetation Clearance - Everyone has heard of leaves on the line, but where do these leaves come from? Well, trees of course. And everyone has heard of gravity? What has this got to do with anything? Put the two together and trees overhanging the railway drop leaves on the line. It doesn t take rocket science to work out that if the vegetation is kept away from the line mishaps and delays are less likely to happen. Just as importantly, approaches to crossings need to be kept clear to prevent accidents to both pedestrians and vehicles crossing the line. Just think of the Railway as one long garden and you ve got the idea the Railway needs gardeners, or to give them a fancier name Vegetation Clearance Operatives. The team meets on Wednesdays throughout the year. Direct Works Team - Railways have buildings, buildings fall down without maintenance. Step up the volunteer with building skills (or a desire to learn some) and become a member of the Direct Works Team and help maintain and preserve these buildings. Recent projects include the refurbishment of the signal box at Bedale and the rebuilding of Scruton Station. Workdays are Wednesdays but the team also meet regularly (on different days?) to discuss any issues arising from the projects in hand. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING This Department maintains the locomotives and rolling stock to ensure that they work safely and reliably. Rolling Stock Group - The group repairs and maintains the works train, which includes ballast wagons, brake vans and the crane. People of all abilities are welcome to the group, with wood working skills particularly useful but not essential. WRA Coach Group - This group is responsible for the restoration of coaching stock and is where wood working, electrical and pipe fitting skills are most useful, but again, not essential. Originally formed to restore a number of Mark 1 coaches, the group gained a certain amount of fame when their efforts were followed in the ITV programme "The Dales". Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the days on which this group meets. Carriage cleaning - Nobody likes to see public transport of any description in a filthy condition if it s like that on the outside, what s it like on the inside? So it s another important factor in the Railway s reputation, and to this end the carriage cleaning group meets as and when necessary, usually by request, and there is no restriction as to how many able bodied people can help.

7 5 COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING Catering - No organisation that deals with travellers and tourists is worth its salt these days if it doesn t provide some form of catering, particularly that involving hot and cold drinks and snacks and/or sandwiches. The Railway does this at Leeming Bar in the Buffet Car, and Leyburn at Arthur s Tea Bar, and certain timetabled trains and special trains (Dining in the Dales) also provide on board catering. There is also a kiosk at Northallerton mainline station which provides simple catering as well as offering newspapers, magazines and WR related merchandise. All of this requires voluntary staff who are happy to work with the public. Volunteers will have opportunities to work either at the Buffet Car or Café, which are open on train operating days as detailed in the timetable; on catering trains as and when they are run; at the Northallerton Station Kiosk which is open daily; or a mixture to suit the volunteers and the Railway s needs. Sometimes travel tickets are sold in the Buffet Car or Café, but not usually on a regular basis. Travelling Ticket Inspector - As that sounds a bit of a mouthful they re probably known as TTIs. They work on the train selling tickets to those who got on at places where tickets aren t sold or were not available at the time. And, of course, they check those tickets already purchased to ensure their validity. They are obviously not the most popular person on the train but with a bit of tact an interested volunteer could turn this into a public relations exercise on behalf of the Railway. Retail - There are shops at Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn, which as well as selling tickets also sell a range of new and second hand goods, the proceeds of which provide vital income for the Railway. This is another good opportunity to work with the public, and the shops are open on all running days. Marketing and Administration - The administrative capital of the Railway is based at Leeming Bar, where a volunteer could tackle things like answering enquiries from the public, either face to face or by telephone; taking bookings for special events such as Santa Specials; sending out leaflets; or helping to put the Railway s magazine Relay into envelopes ready for posting. Marketing activities take the form of staffing stands at external events; distributing timetables and leaflets to Tourist Information Offices, hotels, and other tourist attractions; and helping at money raising events. STATION SUPPORT There are a number of Station Support groups which take responsibility for maintenance and improvements for their particular station(s). This could be gardening, decorating or helping on various projects to develop the facilities. The support groups are: Leeming Bar Station Support Group Bedale Station Group Friends of Leyburn Station (LBSSG) (BSG) (FOLS)

8 6 The Aysgarth Station Project (TASP) Hawes Weighbridge Hut The Bedale Station Group The Group has made big strides in recent years with its improvements there and the station building now has passenger facilities comprising a shop, waiting room, toilets and an independently operated café. In addition there are a training room, meeting room, archive room and small kitchen used by WR staff and volunteers. Not only does the Group look after the station, but also looks after the level crossing and signal box. It tries continuously to improve the setting of the station. BSG works in an informal and friendly manner, is always happy to welcome new members, especially to its customer service team, who staff the station on every running day. Friends of Leyburn Station - FOLS evolved early in 2004 as a very small informal but dedicated group whose mission was to raise money for basic improvements at Leyburn Station (eg plant tubs and pots of paint). With time, the group took on more and more ambitious projects. These included: Refurbishment and refitting of the Station Shop Provision of new flooring, tables and catering equipment for Arthur s Teabar Supply of decorating materials and washroom accessories for new platform toilets Purchase of picnic tables, benches and plant containers for platform Without doubt, the group s greatest achievement was the resurfacing of the platform (including new drainage and fencing) in Presently FOLS is concentrating on carrying out maintenance and improvements - most recently, refurbishment of all platform benches, repairs to roof and gutters and repointing of the access ramp and wall to platform toilets. FOLS also staffs the station shop. There are always openings for new volunteers to assist in the running of the station and shop. There are opportunities for regular or occasional work. The Aysgarth Station Project TASP has been working to build on the success of the open days held there and develop the station into a business island. Following a successful planning application, the Group are now working on: Refurbishing a coach on site and converting it to a café/meeting/education facility Enhancing the exhibition in the goods shed Repairing the Permanent Way hut and mounting an exhibition inside Opening for a maximum of 100 days per year (previous maximum allowed was 28) Providing parking for up to 49 cars Overseeing Parking /turnaround for buses

9 7 Laying track along the goods siding alignment for the purpose of providing visitor rides with a shunter and brake van. Volunteers are needed to undertake the work and support the site during open days. If you are in the Leyburn Hawes area and not presently volunteering with the Railway, why not give Aysgarth Station a try? Any help is welcome, be it painting, parking cars, general tidying up, carpentry, building etc. The volunteer team meets at the station on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hawes Weighbridge Hut The weighbridge hut at the former railway station at Hawes (now the Dales Countryside Museum) was restored in 2014 by the National Park Authority and has been leased to the Railway as an information point. Open Days are held during the season and volunteers to help with these are very welcome. The weighbridge mechanism is still in situ and in working order, and can be demonstrated to the public who can also be informed about the history and future of the Railway. COMMUNICATION There are a number of ways that volunteers can keep up with the activities on the Railway. The Wensleydale Railway web site Rail Link, the monthly Railway newsletter. This should automatically be delivered to WRA members and volunteers but if you are not getting it then contact Timothy Edwards at :- newsletter@wensleydalerailway.com Volunteers regularly receive additional updates throughout the month of issues about what is happening on the Railway. If you are not getting them, then contact Timothy Edwards as above. Volunteer meetings. These are held at intervals through the year, details being notified via Rail Link, but are also available in the Diary of Events on the website. This gives an opportunity for paid staff and volunteers to catch up with developments on the Railway and to provide feedback to the Railway management. Facebook which is full of useful information and chat about the Railway and forthcoming events. to follow the tweets For answers to any query about volunteering opportunities or any other matter then the Volunteer Coordinator on :- volunteer@wensleydalerailway.com

10 8 BRANCH MEETINGS There are branches of the WRA, locally in Northallerton, and at other locations spread around the country. These hold regular meetings with presentations on a range of subjects not always necessarily railway specific. The branch meetings, details of which, together with those of contacts, are included in Relay magazine and are a good forum for volunteers to meet socially. UNIFORM ITEMS The Railway wishes to show a positive image to the public, and volunteers, especially those in direct contact with customers, are encouraged to wear smart clothing bearing the Wensleydale Railway logo. Such volunteers are the face of the Railway and a good impression goes a long way with customers. A wide range of items, including Hi-Vis jackets and vests, are available and can be purchased by contacting Mike Mitton on :- mittonfen14@gmail.com