Start your own journey – North Yorkshire Moors Railway launches major volunteer campaign

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has launched a major volunteer recruitment campaign to fill hundreds of varied roles across the organisation, as it prepares for its 2022 season opening in April. 

A registered charity, the NYMR requires between 300-500 hours of volunteer support every day to bring its story to life 

As well as working on the locomotive footplate, volunteers are needed in the NYMR’s Infrastructure and Motive Power departments, to assist with the full breadth of civil engineering, building, electrical and mechanical work – not to mention the maintenance, repairs and overhaul of its fleet of steam and diesel locomotives.

Other volunteer roles include travelling ticket inspectors, signalling and telecommunications, customer service, retail, catering, fundraising and education. 

Volunteers play such an important role at the NYMR that a new role, Head of Volunteer Development, was created in 2020. Thanks to the funding received by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this role was specifically designed with longevity in mind as part of the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project, to focus on the future of volunteers and the whole volunteer journey. 

Marcus Aldrich, Head of Volunteer Development for the NYMR, commented: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; it’s a challenging but hugely rewarding opportunity – with the offer of experiences that money just can’t buy. 

“You don’t need to be a train enthusiast or know all the lingo, and we’d love a whole cross section of people to apply. We’re particularly eager to recruit more female volunteers across every department.”

Phil Akester, Steam and Diesel Driver at the NYMR, has been a volunteer for over 13 years. 

He explained: “I’ve been at NYMR since I was 11 years old – I’m now 24. It’s my life – I live and breathe it; even the bad days are good. I’d pay to do it if I had to. It gives me an immense feeling of enjoyment, pride and gratitude to drive, and be responsible for, our steam locomotives, the trains and our passengers.”

Join one of the most popular heritage railways in the UK and an accredited museum, helping to deliver the aims of the Charitable Trust, providing education for all ages. 

Apply to be a volunteer at Nymr.co.uk/volunteer

Photo credit: North Yorkshire Moors Railway

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