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North York Moors Historical Railway Trust - NYMR
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Railway Conservation. Run by Volunteers. Not for Profit. 

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  • volunteer-qa
  1. FAQs

Volunteer Q&A

What are the benefits of volunteering?

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To ensure the railway's viability and long term sustainability, it is run as part of the local community, with its day to day function carried out by an army of volunteers.

Becoming a volunteer presents you with many opportunities including; meeting new people, gaining worthwhile skills and more importantly knowing that you have helped and supported a not-for-profit charity. 

Volunteering for a heritage railway results in a real sense of achievement because you are preserving its historical assets and infrastructure for future generations to enjoy. 

As a volunteer you receive other benefits including a travel & discount card, which enables free travel whilst volunteering along the line and  discounts to the tearoom & gift shops. 

Published: 27th February, 2000

Updated: 13th March, 2020

Author: Laura Strangeway

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Who do I speak to regarding volunteering?

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The railway has a dedicated Volunteer Liaison Officer, John Bruce, who has an extensive knowledge and over 40 years experience of volunteering at the railway. The Volunteer Liaison Officer's role is to guide and support volunteers during the recruitment period and act as a mentor/guide to the existing members. 

Published: 26th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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What roles are available?

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The NYMR is multi faceted, as a railway operator, tourist attraction and charity. There are many roles available across the various departments including Administration, Education & Archives, Customer Service & Marketing, Catering & Retail, Station Groups, Infrastructure, Operating and Traction & Rolling Stock. 

Published: 24th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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Can I volunteer if I don’t have a railway background?

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The NYMR is multi faceted, as a railway operator, tourist attraction and charity. Whilst experience and knowledge in train operating and traction & rolling stock is welcome, we also need volunteers to support the various departments along the line in delivering an excellent passenger experience. 

Why not get involved with our front of house departments which include customer services and catering and retail? 

Experience is not essential as we have excellent training schemes in place. What we really need are enthusiastic volunteers wanting to join the team, meet new friends and interact with passengers.  

Published: 24th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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How often do I need to volunteer?

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Many of our volunteers give a day or two each week, others a week per month and others spend their holidays working as a volunteer on the railway. We expect most volunteers to attend at least twice a month (or equivalent) during the season. 

Published: 23rd February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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If I volunteer, can I bring my family?

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There are plenty of opportunities that enable families to get involved, including volunteer roles which are not directly linked to operating trains. Many of our younger volunteers sign up to our Junior Volunteers scheme as we try to capture the enthusiasts for the future.

Published: 22nd February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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What happens when I apply?

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Once you have agreed your preferred role, the Volunteer Liaison Officer will arrange for you to start the Induction process with a Welcome Induction in the Learning Centre at Pickering. There, we will take you through the history of the railway, details of the line, what being a volunteer means, our values and general safety.

If you are going to be trackside whilst volunteering, we will also arrange for you to complete Personal Track Safety (PTS) training, usually on the same day.

The Volunteer Liaison Officer will arrange for you to go to your chosen department for a First Day Briefing, where you will learn everything you need to know. This may take a few weeks to arrange, depending upon the time of year. We will also agree the dates of your first four or five turns with us and after that we will review your progress with you. If we like you and most importantly if you like us, you will become an established volunteer. 

Note: If you intend to become a member of the footplate crew or to work in the Motive Power Depot (MPD), you will attend a separate induction session at Grosmont. This consists of the Welcome Induction and First Day Briefing all in one go. It is slightly different because of the unique safety risks associated with the MPD.

Published: 20th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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What happens if I don’t like the role and would prefer to do something different?

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Advise your department manager or mentor at the review session if you are not happy in your role and they will endeavour to find you something more suitable, after all we really would like to keep you.

Published: 19th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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Are there any specific health requirements?

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A reasonable level of health and fitness is required. The precise requirements depend on the roles for which you volunteer.

Drivers and firemen, for instance, will need good eyesight, the physical strength to shovel tons of coal on a rocking footplate and the agility to crawl into the bowels of a locomotive whilst preparing it. Signalmen require good hearing and an ability to work alone for long periods whilst maintaining concentration.

All new volunteers are required to complete a self-declaration medical form on their volunteer application form. This must be completed honestly.

Published: 18th February, 2000

Author: Laura Strangeway

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Uniforms and travel expenses?

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During your First Day Briefing we will discuss whether you will need to purchase any specific clothing, which is dependent on your role. The railway supplies ties, scarves, name badges and Hi-Viz jackets as necessary. All other items are your responsibility. We will be able to give you details of outlets that sell the correct clothing of good quality and at reasonable prices.

Personal expenses, including travel expenses and clothing are not paid. 

Published: 18th February, 2000

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Laura Strangeway

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Back to top

Showing 10 of 10

Latest

  • Paid Seasonal Vacancies - Pickering Tearoom Assistants

    Paid Seasonal Vacancies - Pickering Tearoom Assistants

    We are looking for someone to cover 2-5 shifts per week at Pickering Tearoom to include weekends, shifts will be approx. 4-5 hours long.

  • Full steam ahead for 2021 season opening

    Full steam ahead for 2021 season opening

    We are pleased to announce we're reopening from Saturday 15 May!

  • Paid Permanent Vacancy - General Administrator (Infrastructure)

    Paid Permanent Vacancy - General Administrator (Infrastructure)

    Join our Infrastructure team, reporting to our Infrastructure Manager and working mainly from our office in Pickering.

  • Wagon Appeal

    Wagon Appeal

    Please donate to allow the NYMR to continue the overhaul and repair work on our wagon fleet.

Most read

  • Grosmont Station Webcam

    Grosmont Station Webcam

    See what's going on at Grosmont Station & the movement of our fleet with our live webcam.

  • Grosmont Station

    Grosmont Station

  • Map of the Railway

    Map of the Railway

  • Goathland Webcam

    Goathland Webcam

    See our heritage engines climb Goathland Bank with our live webcam.

  • Directions & Parking

    Directions & Parking

  • Heartbreak after vandals attack heritage railway carriages

    Heartbreak after vandals attack heritage railway carriages

    In the early hours of Sunday 23rd July 2017, North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s (NYMR’s) historic teak carriages were deliberately vandalised. The carriages were parked in the siding, at the far side of the main visitor car park at Pickering.

  • Steam Experience

    Steam Experience

    Relive the golden age of steam and experience a truly unforgettable journey on a heritage steam locomotive footplate.

  • Goathland Station

    Goathland Station

  • Newsletter Thank You

    Newsletter Thank You

    Thank you for signing up to the NYMR Newsletter.

  • Pickering Station

    Pickering Station

Tag cloud

Infrastructure Railway in Wartime Risk Assessment Special Event

Latest tweet

  • With our exciting announcement of reopening from the 15 May, we are recruiting for some additional Seasonal roles:… https://t.co/ZTTc6dnlPZ

    16thApril, 2021 @nymr
  • RT @Disc_light: I haven't posted a train photo for a while so here is one. 34081 92 Squadron heading up moorgates towards Pickering… https://t.co/X9PymPbL7T

    16thApril, 2021 @nymr
  • RT @brucerollinson: Paul Middleton @piglet6619 and his award winning restoration of a 1890 Brussels steam tram named Lucie See video… https://t.co/YuwGZqePwi

    15thApril, 2021 @nymr

Covid-19 Mitigations


We have received Visit England’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation to ensure that we are Covid-19 secure. These measures include:


✔  Travel in groups of a max of 6. #Ruleof6
✔  We've an enhanced cleaning regime between services.
✔  We Zoono ‘fog’ our carriages and all public areas.
✔  We ask that everyone wears a face covering whilst moving around the railway.
✔  We’ve reduced capacity on board our trains.

View our Frequently Asked Questions

Join Our E-Mailing List

Services


We're so excited to welcome you back from Saturday 15 May!
Following the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery we're pleased to announce services for the eagerly anticipated 2021 season will commence from Saturday 15 May 2021.

Click here to find out more



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North York Moors Historical Railway Trust is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 2490244 and registered as a Charity number 501388.

Registered office, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, 12 Park Street, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ.