Volunteers
Volunteer For Us
Our work may involve repairing, maintaining and overhauling our collection of locos – but it doesn’t need to stop there!
We are always happy for volunteers of any age, any gender, any skillset to help us beyond just “fixing trains”. Whether being a steward on railtours, promoting the group and our goals, to even help crewing the locos we work on, the list is endless!
If you would like to start a membership and volunteer for us, please feel free to fill out a membership form or contact us to find out more on how you can help the group.
We also offer a Junior Volunteer scheme which provides volunteering opportunities for young members, aged 13 to 16, who are keen to learn more about the operation of NELPG Locomotives. The scheme is focused on introducing young volunteers to the engineering and leadership skills necessary to maintain our locomotives in the 21st century and beyond. Work is often dirty and tiring but also rewarding and enjoyable.
The Junior Volunteers meet once or twice a month on a Saturday. They may also take part in the activities of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Junior Volunteers (further membership required).
The location of each NELPG meet may vary depending on the location of NELPG Locomotives at the time; typical locations tend to be Deviation Shed, Grosmont, and The 1861 Shed, Darlington.
Safety and Workshop training will be given when joining the group and on an ongoing basis. Junior Volunteers will be expected to bring appropriate workshop clothing including safety footwear and overalls but other safety equipment will be provided as necessary.
Please note that there may be a waiting list for joining the group.
For further details please contact us.
“I started volunteering with NELPG in 2006 at the age of 18. I had no ‘hands on’ skills or experiences. It all started with a visit to Hopetown Open Day one Saturday and the rest, I guess, is history. From the word ‘go’ on my first Thursday night, I found myself with a needle-gun in hand on the inside of the frames of the J72. Further visits I’d find myself inside the boiler, the firebox, anywhere this young, slender guy would fit.
Fast-forward the time and I’d not only help run the J27 at Shildon, start volunteering as a fireman on the NYMR, but I’d spend 8 seasons volunteering as support crew with the K1 in Fort William. I like to think NELPG started it all.”
