Do you want to work on Steam Engines ?
Members of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society are eligible to volunteer to work in the Locomotive Department.
The Locomotive Department is broadly split into two parts:
Most volunteers opt for one or other of these, although there are many who do both.
- Footplate grades
- Locomotive works - see also the new Workshop working group
Footplate Grades
Left: A team of cleaners at work preparing the Q1 for the day's work.
All volunteers start as "cleaners", and as the name suggests, the main task is to clean the engines each day to a high standard, but many other labouring jobs connected with the servicing and daily maintenance of steam engines are also required.
There is a lower age limit of 14 years, and an upper age limit of 70 for footplate work. However, bearing in mind the physical nature of the work, we prefer new entrants to be as young and fit as possible. There is no sex discrimination in the department. We currently have 8 rostered females in the footplate grades.
Training and promotion
You need know nothing about steam engines whatsoever when you join. Full training is provided to NVQ level, and with this training and footplate experience, you can progress through the grades to become a fireman, and eventually a full steam engine driver.
Social Aspects
Working on the footplate of a steam engine requires you to be able to "do as you're told" as the most junior member of the team, and because we all work together and "live" together, this engenders a very close-knit social scene "after hours". To many volunteers, the Bluebell Railway is their second home.
How to Join the Loco Department Footplate Grades
Simple, isn't it? Hope to see you soon.
- You must be a member of B.R.P.S.
- Come on one of our introductory "Find out more days"
- Be prepared to arrive at the Bluebell Railway Loco Yard at 7.00 am, dressed in overalls and steel toe-capped boots, and the "Running Foreman" will give you a job to do.
Locomotive Works
If you have mechanical or engineering skills you can volunteer to help in the Locomotive Works on maintenance and restoration projects.
As well as weekday working, under our Works Manager, we also have a Locomotive Workshop working group set up by David Pratt and Stephen Lacey, which is a good way into working in the department.
To find out more, come on one of our introductory "Find out more days"
The steam reverser on "C-class" No 592 having some attention.
Remember however that you must not enter the Locomotive Works without permission.
The Locomotive Works has many volunteers who are retired and work both at weekends and midweek. There is no upper age limit as long as you are still physically fit with no serious impairment to sight or hearing.
Copyright © 7 April 1998 by Lewis Nodes.