Railway Conservation. Run by Volunteers. Not for Profit.
Our volunteers play a vital role in all the work we do. You do not need any previous experience of working or volunteering on a railway; there are hundreds of volunteers up and down the line performing a variety of enjoyable, meaningful and challenging roles which extend beyond operating and maintaining our trains. We also offer roles within our lineside conservation, education, development, fundraising and infrastructure departments along with improving our visitor experience and helping to support our junior volunteers. Most of all we aim to be friendly and welcoming ambassadors of our heritage railway.
Whilst some positions within the Operations Department require a significant time and training commitment to progress, many of the roles also operate within a roster to support our timetable of activity and other roles can be of a lighter touch, with a minimal time commitment. If you want to get your hands dirty, there are plenty of opportunities, but if manual work is not for you, there is also a wide range of choices. In some cases, you do not even have to come to the railway to help us.
Volunteering presents you with the opportunity to meet new people, from all walks of life, gain worthwhile skills and results in a real sense of achievement. We will attempt to find the right role for you to fit in with your circumstances and the commitment you wish to give.
We will assess your requirements, along with our current needs, during the recruitment process to fulfil the opportunities that are currently available, which are continually reviewed. Not all roles currently have vacancies and once we have established where you would like to start your volunteering experience, we can discuss that with you. Of course, you may be able to start in another role or change roles if it is available and suitable for you.
We look forward to meeting you soon and welcoming you to the NYMR Volunteer Family.
*As of 1st June 2023, working volunteers will no longer be required to be members of the NYMR. Should volunteers wish to, there is still the option to join as a full Adult Member, at a cost of £40.00 (£38.00 if paid by direct debit) or as Joint Adult Members at £72.00 (£70.00 if paid by Direct Debit). Junior membership is £20.00. This will entitle you to 4 copies of Moors Line and will entitle you to have voting rights at the AGM. Please be aware some roles require disclosure of certain medical information or a requirement to undertake a DBS check, this will be made clear during the recruitment process. We are unable to guarantee that you will be offered any volunteering opportunity within the NYMR, or within a specific role, we can decline or withdraw an offer of volunteering at any time.
Get Involved Q&A Role Profiles
Four short video introductions of some of the volunteer roles at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Read more
The Department has to provide Guards, Signalmen, Control Staff, Ticket Inspectors, Booking Clerks & Platform Staff. Read more
Utilise existing skills or gain new ones working on maintenance and heavy overhauls of our fleet of locomotives or heritage carriages. Read more
We have a large number of structures and buildings along the line, which all need maintaining, and, in many instances updating. Read more
Whether preparing, cooking or serving the food we need enthusiastic people with a passion for local food. Read more
Assistance is needed in delivering our education programme and maintaining our valuable archives. Read more
Each of our four main stations has a supporting Station Group, helping maintain and improve the standard of its station. Read more
Join the Customer Services team and help our passengers with inquiries about services and general information about the Railway. Read more
Help support the safe working of the railway by managing vegetation; surveying and managing habitats to conserve and enhance biodiversity and more. Read more