NO – Although many of the Society members are engineers there are also other members who have either NO engineering training or very limited skills. For those who wish to learn some of these skills there is a vast pool of knowledge available from members – all you need to do is ask. The only problem you’ll experience is just whose advice to take.

NO – Many members don’t own their own locomotives. The club owns various locomotives Steam, Electric and Petrol, and provided you have the necessary skills and meet the safety requirements then you’re free to drive those.

YES – Provided the loco has all the appropriate certificates (current hydraulic and steam test) then club members are free to use the track at any time (as long as you don’t interfere with public running – the track is fully signalled), the only limitations are that members MUST NOT run Locomotives on their own for Safety reasons. So provided there is another member in attendance then the track is available for use. If members don’t own their own locos then they are free to run the Clubs locos at “Steam Ups” provided they are qualified to do so.

CERTAINLY – As much help as you need, there is a vast pool of knowledge within the society and all you need to do is ask for help. In fact one of the main reasons to join is to be able to tap into this knowledge.

NO – There is no “required” working, the Railway is maintained and operated on a voluntary basis, the only commitment we like members to accept is to help crew the railway during public running periods. This usually amounts to four Sundays between Easter and September where we operate the Railway between about 1.00 and 4.00 pm. even this isn’t compulsory.

Volunteers usually work Saturday afternoons, with the occasional All Day Saturday dependant on work load, and Wednesday evenings on Track Maintenance, Refurbishing Buildings etc but this is totally voluntary.

YES - Although they are only small they operate just like a full size Steam Loco but as well as being the driver you’re also the fireman. So provided you meet the safety requirements and age limits then club members can teach you how to operate and, more importantly, “look after” a steam loco and once it’s felt that you are competent you would be qualified (subject to age limitations) to carry the public during Public Running.

You can also learn to drive the Clubs Electric and Petrol Locos which although they are less involved they still have their peculiarities.

NOT a problem either; we have several members who are not really interested in Model Engineering but just like to be involved in operating a railway. For Public Running we usually operate with a crew of four. So in addition to the driver there is a Guard, who is really in charge of the Train – (you need to be qualified for that seat!)

There is also the important job of manning the Ticket office, whilst the fourth member does the running around and is in charge of the platforms, this involves marshalling the public, helping to load and unload the passengers, assisting the engine driver in keeping the loco running (supplying Coal, water etc) , clipping the tickets when the train is loaded (that’s the fun bit) and generally keeping an eye on what’s happening.

YES – During the year we organise several “Steam Ups” where Members their Friends and Families meet at the track for an afternoon of just “Playing Trains” and enjoying themselves. At these events we usually arrange for BBQ food to be available as well as Hot and Cold drinks. Also we hold regular meetings featuring talks, Slide Shows and Videos. We also have an Annual “Bring and Buy” Sale which usually has a good selection of Tools and materials as members try to make room in their workshops - for more tools and materials!

IF you want to learn more about the Society then please come up and see us, although members are often at the track during the week there is always someone there on Saturday Afternoons who will be more than willing to talk to you about the society and show you around. If you’d like to join the Society then just complete the application form on the web site and put it in the post to us.