Vounteer at Bluebell Railway
If you would like to volunteer at Bluebell Railway but are unsure about which department you would like to join, please email volunteering@bluebell-railway.co.uk.
Our Find Out More Days are currently postponed – please check back for updates on when these will be reinstated.
We are currently recruiting for the following volunteer roles:
Chairperson
This non-executive position as head of the operating company will be responsible for leading and directing one of the premier preserved railways in the UK through the next phase in its development as a major visitor attraction and modern business operation.
Evidence of proven leadership achievement, ideally in a volunteer-led organisation, and background in successful business management at senior level are essential. An interest in steam trains and their heritage and the how railways operate would be beneficial.
This is a volunteer post that carries no remuneration or specific hours of duty. However, the successful applicant will require sufficient time and flexibility to effectively undertake this role and have the appropriate technical competences to meet the professional requirements of the post.
For a full job description and candidate specification, email Personnel & Administration Manager Lisa Boyle lisa.boyle@bluebell-railway.com
Closing date: 7 May 2021
Locomotive Director
The successful applicant will be responsible for planning and co-ordinating the strategy for the restoration, overhaul, and maintenance of all forms of motive power (steam and diesel) and will have professional and technical responsibility for the company’s locomotive fleet.
The locomotive director is expected to attend board meetings and contribute to the company’s business decision-making.
For a full job description and candidate specification, email Personnel & Administration Manager Lisa Boyle lisa.boyle@bluebell-railway.com
Closing date: 7 May 2021
Medical Officer
The successful applicant will be responsible for the medicals required for the railway’s safety critical staff, and must be fully registered with the GMC and a current licence to practice, holding membership of a medical indemnity organisation.
Experience and health qualifications in Occupational Medicine would be beneficial and the appreciation of the medical factors which could affect fitness to preform safety critical work on an operational railway.
Hours are flexible and payments and expenses (TBA) will be offered.
Please contact Lisa Boyle on 01825 724884 or email lisa.boyle@bluebell-railway.com for further information.
Volunteer Car park attendants
We are looking for volunteers to help during our busy events to oversee our visitor parking by directing and managing our customers to available spaces and helping answer relevant queries.
Applicants should be self-motivated, enthusiastic and a good communicator. The role would require duties for 3 to 4 hours at a time, usually morning or afternoon.
Applicants must have their own transport.
Please contact Charlotte Archer for more information: charlotte.archer@bluebell-railway.com
Education Volunteer
The education department of the Bluebell Railway is expanding and needs you!
Roles may include;
- Be part of our exciting and interactive SteamWorks! exhibition as an interpreter
- Conduct fun science experiments.
- Assist with family event days.
- Guide school parties around our exhibits.
- Facilitate outdoor education.
- Escort school parties on the steam trains.
- Get creative.
- Dress up and role-play in our ‘WW2’ evacuation experience.
- Gain experience and build an attractive C.V.
We are looking for people with an interest in Heritage Learning. If you like working with people of all ages, are a good communicator, want to learn new skills and share some of your own, then this could be the volunteering opportunity for you.
Contact Ruth Rowatt on 01825 720800 or email education@bluebell-railway.com
Locomotive Works department volunteers
The locomotive workshop is open 7 days per week and is seeking skilled machinists to join the team to carry out the maintenance, overhaul and repair of the railway’s historic collection of steam locomotives.
Volunteers must have either completed an engineering apprenticeship or have other equivalent qualifications. Skills essential for this post include machining and fitting mechanical parts with demonstrable competence in the use of manual operated lathes and milling machines.
Please contact Chris Shepherd by email on chris.shepherd@bluebell-railway.com
Retail Volunteers
Our Sheffield Park Gift Shop is looking for volunteer retail assistants
Have you an excellent customer service aptitude? To assist and provide friendly support to our retail team?
Our gift shop at Sheffield Park Station welcomes visitors throughout the year, stocking everything from books and DVDs, to railway models and special souvenirs.
You would ensure customers have a memorable experience and receive a high level of service at all times. You would provide information on all the railway’s products and help them find the perfect gift or memento.
Applicants should be highly motivated, enthusiastic and a strong team player and commercially focused.
Hours are flexible, mid-week or weekend working.
Contact Lisa Boyle for further information on 01825 724884 or email lisa.boyle@bluebell-railway.com
Catering Assistant Volunteers
We are currently seeking Volunteer Catering Assistants to work in our buffet carriage at East Grinstead Station.
The Grinsteade Buffet is a beautiful dining carriage, serving teas, coffees, cakes and snacks to our customers every day when trains are running. This includes weekends, special events, school holidays and every day over the summer.
You will need to be enthusiastic and willing to learn, possess excellent customer service skills and be able to work under your own initiative. Ideally you will have some retail experience with till operation, but full training will be provided.
The number of hours per week can vary to suit your needs, and uniform and meals on duty will be provided.
Contact Megan Laughlin to find out more: megan.laughlin@bluebell-railway.com
Friends of Kingscote
The Friends of Kingscote (FoK) exists to maintain the station and its environs, representing the early 1950s British Railways era.
The friends maintain two platforms with canopies and the usual facilities, a Goods Yard with two dock sidings, a picnic area with a kiosk serving summer refreshments, a kitchen garden and flower beds along the platforms.. In 2017, part of the picnic area was converted into a children’s play area with swings and various features.
The FoK force consists of three teams, although volunteers will move between them:
- Fixtures and fittings – upkeep, repair and repainting of all the station buildings, sheds, fencing and paths
- Gardens – maintaining flower beds, forecourt, kitchen garden and grass cutting of the lawn areas
- Lineside maintenance – scrub clearance, grass cutting, removing fallen trees, sundry maintenance issues
If you are interested in joining as a volunteer, an application form is available here.
