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It is probably fair to say that most visitors to the railway don't realise what exactly it is that the PW (Permanent Way) department do.
This is understandable, as (for obvious reasons) we can't work on the track when trains are passing!
So, this page aims to give you an insight into just what it is we get up to.
about us
We are responsible for maintaining the 9 miles of track between Sheffield Park and Kingscote, the sidings at these stations, and (within a variety of sub-groups) the 18 miles of lineside along the way.
This includes 'jacking and packing' the joints in the rails, oiling and replacing fishplates, changing expired sleepers, keeping lineside vegetation down - and that is just scratching at the surface of what we do!
Although much of the work requires a reasonable standard of fitness (since you're on your feet for much of the day), there are also less physical jobs, such as painting lineside signs and maintaining our range of power tools.
However, in no way do you need to be 'superfit' - we like to refer to ourselves as a '9 mile long gym', and like any good gym, you work to your own pace and ability.
Additionally, you don't need any previous experience - we have newcomers working alongside current Network Rail employees.
You'll find that we're a friendly bunch, always willing to help explain things.
One of the few requirements is that you have to be a Bluebell member aged 16 or over (for insurance purposes) - we have a very broad age range in the department, with students to retirees working together.
For safety reasons, you must appreciate that railways are potentially very dangerous environments, and it is everyone's responsibility to maintain the excellent safety record that the Bluebell has built up.
To this end, we will give you a safety briefing on joining - most of us relish the challenge of working safely and efficiently to complete the work without delaying any service trains.
benefits
Aside from working on the best preserved line in the country, you'll be within comfortable waving distance of all passing trains!
Seriously though, we're friendly people with a (mostly!) excellent sense of humour, and you get the satisfaction of knowing you've done your bit to keep the Bluebell running.
Plus, we're in the middle of the beautiful Sussex weald, with an abundance of wildlife on tap.
Best of all though, the starting salary is an unbeatable £0 per hour, doubling after your first year with us!
how to join us
Firstly, you will need to get a few items of clothing (in addition to the usual items of course!).
Steel toe-capped boots are essential since a lot of the equipment used is not of the weight that you would want to drop on your foot!
You will also need your own gloves, and, dependent on the weather, waterproofs, a suitable hat and suncream.
An ORANGE hi-visibility vest or jacket is required - these can be provided as long as you let us know in advance.
All tools and rails are provided!
Secondly, see what takes your fancy from the list below.
Please note that these are the usual meeting days and are provided as a guide - please check with us first rather than just turning up.
Dependant on the work location and time of year, this allows us to tell you whether you'll need to bring your own food and drink, meeting times / locations and any other special arrangements.
Saturday Track-Walk
- The weekly track inspection is a very important job in ensuring the line remains safe for our trains.
It involves walking the entire length of the line tightening fish plate bolts, checking for cracked fishplates, replacing fallen chair keys, as well as identifying any problems to be tackled in later meetings.
Meet at Horsted Keynes around 8.15am.
Email: P-Way Team.
The Sunday Gang
The gang's core activity is routine maintenance of the main-line, making for varied and interesting meetings.
They also lend a hand in one-off projects as and when they come a long, such as helping out our colleagues in the Carriage and Wagon depot or on the Northern Extension.
Meet weekly at Horsted Keynes from 8.30am.
Email Jon Bowers, or
Phone: Paul Norris, on 020 8644 6975.
The Thursday Gang
The mid-week equivalent of the Sunday gang!
As weekdays generally have fewer trains running than at weekends, the work can be more varied, and special works trains are often arranged in the low-season.
Meet weekly at Horsted Keynes from 8.30am.
Email: P-Way Team.
Lineside Clearance Gang
- Meet at 9am on Wednesdays at a pre-arranged location, the gang remove vegetation, clear culverts and ditches, and maintain fencing.
Email: Ian Aitken.
General weekday volunteer work under the direction of our acting PW supervisor, Matt Crawford, has its own programme of maintenance and renewals.
During the summer, regular working evenings are also held, often to tackle specific jobs that could not be undertaken when trains are running.
For more information on these, or any of the above meetings, please contact Matt via the railway or email us for more information.
Major maintenance is usually undertaken in 'Working Weeks'.
These usually occur Monday to Fridays during January and November whilst we are not running mid-week trains.
Hot lunches are provided and volunteers from many departments join in.
Details of these weeks (when known), will be provided on this page.
So, why not give us a try for a day - you never know, you might just get hooked!
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