The Railway is run by volunteers with a small number of paid staff who are responsible for ensuring its’ safe and proper operation, New volunteers normally have an informal interview including a discussion about where they wish to work and then have a short Induction Course before starting work.. It is recommended that new volunteers choose one area to work in initially before broadening their horizons into other jobs. All volunteers must be members of the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society for insurance purposes. Membership is about £15 per year. Age limits apply to Safety Critical roles.
Volunteers, by definition, receive no pay and do the job for the love of it. You must decide what job you wish to do. Most jobs require some form of uniform or protective clothing which the Railway does not provide but we will give guidance on sourcing clothing economically.
The following gives a guide to the jobs that are available but it is not exhaustive. If you have particular skills that you think would benefit the railway then please .
Steam Locomotive Driver
Responsible for the safe
operation of a steam loco. To reach this position you must have been a Passed
Fireman for several years before commencing driver training. As a general rule
a Passed Driver may operate any steam loco on our railway. You must be
reasonably fit and will need to pass medical and other examinations.
Steam Locomotive Fireman
Working under the control of the Driver. You are responsible for ensuring that
your locomotive’s boiler is safely operated. This includes lighting up,
cleaning, operation and disposal. You will need to spend time as a Cleaner
assisting with locomotive maintenance and operation. You must be reasonably fit
and will need to pass medical and other examinations.
Diesel Locomotive Driver
Responsible for the safe
operation of a diesel loco. To reach this position you must have been a Passed
Secondman for several years before commencing driver training. As a general
rule all diesel crews are expected to assist with the care and maintenance of
the locos. You must be reasonably fit and will need to pass medical and other
examinations.
Diesel Locomotive Secondman
Working under the control of
the Driver to ensure safe operation of the loco. This includes preparation,
operation and disposal. As a general rule all diesel crews are expected to
assist with the care and maintenance of the locos. You must be reasonably fit
and will need to pass medical and other examinations.
Guard
The Guard is responsible for
the safe operation of the train. This includes preparation, operation and
stabling of the train including emergency procedures etc. You must be able to assist with
passenger enquiries, ticket issuing etc. You will need have been a
Travelling Ticket Inspector prior to training as a Guard. You must be reasonably
fit and will need to pass medical and other examinations.
Travelling Ticket Inspector (TTI)
Working under the control of
the Guard on the train but also on behalf of the Booking Office . Checking
passenger’s tickets, issuing tickets and assisting with enquiries. This is the
ideal stating point to become a Guard. No medical or other examinations
required but you will be informally assessed. An ideal position to meet people
and see the railway at work.
Booking Office Clerk
Working under the control of
the Responsible Officer. You are responsible for the issuing of tickets at Bodmin
General Station, assisting passengers with enquiries and giving information
about the railway. Basic computer literacy an advantage. An ideal position to
meet people and see the railway at work.
Shop Assistant
Responsible for the operation
of the shop on day of duty including checking float, setting up sales stands,
operating cash register and cashing up. Working on behalf of Shop Manager.
Assistance usually available from the Responsible Officer. An ideal position to
meet people and see the railway at work.
Buffet Car Attendant (RMB
(Restaurant Miniature Buffet))
Responsible for the operation
of the ‘on train’ buffet on day of duty including checking float, stocking up,
operating cash register and cashing up. Selling pre-packed food including
sandwiches, cakes and confectionary; making tea, coffee, etc and serving
alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Guidance available from Station Buffet
staff.
An ideal position to
meet people and see the railway at work.
Passenger Services
Assistant
Working under the control of the Responsible Officer you will be answering the
phone and providing callers with information including train times, opening
hours; taking bookings for our special event trains and carrying out other
office duties compatible with your abilities.
Dining Train Steward
Working with the Senior Dining
Train Steward. Assisting with the preparation of the dining and kitchen areas,
welcoming passengers, taking drinks orders and serving drinks, taking payments,
and general assisting Dining Train passengers with enquiries. Experience in
operating the RMB is preferred but not essential.
Senior Dining Train Steward
Responsible for ensuring the
train is ready for service by checking bar stocks, ordering, setting up kitchen
areas, ensuring cleaning carried out, filling water tanks and supervising
operation of train. Experience as Dining Train Steward essential. Must be able
to work unsupervised.
Workshop & Maintenance Staff
Our engineering workshops have
a wide variety of opportunities for caring for our veteran rolling stock and
buildings. All work is supervised as necessary and carried out under the
control of the Chief Mechanical Engineer.
Jobs include:-
Machinists for lathes, shapers, borers –
some experience required.
Fitters – dismantling, overhauling and refitting all aspects of railway equipment.
Cleaners & painters
Carpenters
Electricians
This is also an ideal
introduction to becoming a steam locomotive fireman and driver.
Permanent Way Staff
Working as part of a small team
under the control of the Chief Civil Engineer, changing
sleepers, fishplates, packing etc; repairing fences, carrying out hedge and
ditch maintenance including tree clearance and disposal. Mainly working out on
the lineside. You will need to be reasonably fit.
To operate the Signal Box in accordance with the Railway’s Rule Book, Regulations for Train Signalling, Signalman’s General Instructions and other procedures to permit the safe operation of trains. This is a safety critical position. Currently only open to persons age 21 to 70. Click here for full details
Other jobs that are currently done by volunteers include publicity, computer programming, website maintenance and major projects such as relaying the line to Wadebridge as well as running railway related organizations like the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society and the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society.
If you are interested in helping to keep railway heritage alive in Cornwall please join us.