You might be surprised to learn that the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is an entirely volunteer-run enterprise – and our number of volunteers is growing daily.  During 2006, the number of people who give of their time – whether in a small way or helping to undertake major projects such as the extension to Broadway or overhaul of steam and diesel locomotive – passed 500.

Why not become a working member and help the railway grow faster? Volunteers are always needed in all departments and as we expand we are always in need of new faces to join us. As the line extends, track laying, building, hedge and fence repairs, signalling, clearance work and other tasks are required. We need to restore, repair and clean locomotives, rolling stock, stations and buildings. On operating days the volunteer in charge of the car park is as important as the engine driver or the signalman. Our customers expect an efficient service everywhere on the railway, no matter what they are doing. We are proud of our well-earned reputation for being "The Friendly Line in The Cotswolds". The GWR operates as a team in which everyone plays a vital part. You could be part of that team.

There are various areas in which our volunteers work:

• Steam Locomotive - overhaul/operation & maintenance
• Diesel Locomotive - overhaul/operation & maintenance (click here for more details)
• Traffic - guards/shunters/ticket collectors
• Signal & Telegraph - restoration & maintenance
• Signaling - operational signaling of trains
• Carriage & Wagon - restoration & maintenance
• Permanent Way - re-laying & maintenance
• Building Services - restoration & maintenance
• Station Staff - booking office, platform, etc.
• Station Shop - retailing of railway items
• On-train catering - refreshment sales on the trains
• Communications - handling post, phone calls and emails in the booking office
• Commercial - organisation of special events, advertising, press relations, marketing
• Fire Department - fire fighting, first aid, vehicle maintenance
• General Duties - help where/when needed

Training will be given before we let you loose! If you have any specialist skills, experience or talents to offer the railway please let us know. Examples include welding, legal, medical, fire fighting, plant/machinery, administration, electrical, building, web/graphic design...

Several of our volunteers bring their wives, husbands or partners and make a day's working on the GWR a family event. We can arrange for you to work with your partner if you wish.

For more details, or to offer your services, please contact us. To help us deal more efficiently with email enquiries, please select “General Enquiry”, and include “Volunteering” in the subject.