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Get on board!

Volunteering at the Bodmin Railway

Have you always wanted to get hands on at a heritage railway? Do you love talking to the public about your passions? Would you like to be part of a friendly team who work together to make a difference?

Your skills could be just what we need!

Without the help of our volunteers, our railway could simply not operate. All roles at the railway are open to volunteers – from office and station duties, booking office, shop and buffet, train crews (both steam and diesel, including drivers, firemen, guards, and ticket inspectors), Permanent Way and Signal & Telegraph work, and the maintenance, repair and restoration of carriages, wagons, and locomotives. All these activities and more are undertaken with the enthusiastic support and guidance of our full-time professionals.
Volunteering with us offers a fantastic opportunity to try your hand at something different, learn new skills and experience life behind the scenes at a heritage railway and much-loved visitor attraction. Better still, you’d be helping us to ensure that our heritage railway survives for another generation.

To find out more about the general requirements for volunteering please read this briefing note.

Did you know, the majority of our team are volunteers?

The railway is maintained and operated by its volunteers with the support of a small team of dedicated and professional staff. Whether it’s the train crew, the booking office clerks, the office staff or the people who carry out the restoration and maintenance work that helps to keep the railway in first class condition, we’re all passionate about what we do and want to make a difference.

Volunteering is good for you!

Whether you’re looking to make friends, gain valuable skills, or just do something different, the benefits of volunteering are plentiful.

The Roles Available

Click the role to view the job description to see if you would be suitable and find out more.

Fireman

Guard

Signalman

Station Staff

Shop and Booking Office Staff

Catering Staff

Workshops Fitters

Track Gang/P-Way

Signal & Telegraph Technician

Coach Cleaning Team

Here at the BR, our volunteers receive a number of additional benefits, including:

Free travel on all service trains
Discounts on our event trains and private hire
15% discount on the majority of items sold in the Gift Shop
Free tea and coffee from the Cornish Rail Coffee Co. at Bodmin General
Travel concessions on several other heritage railways
The opportunity to purchase a Heritage Railway Association Inter-Rail Pass
Invitations to staff/volunteer events

Who can volunteer?

Our volunteers are people of all ages over 14, all backgrounds and genders, but who all share a common aim – to do their bit towards ensuring a bright future for the BR.
Some joined as school children, others when they retired. Some have particular skills, others are totally unskilled. All are equally welcome and have an important part to play in the continued future success of the railway.

So – whether you wield a paint brush or a sweeping brush, a hammer and chisel or a computer or a till, we need you! Why not come along and join the team!

If you are considering volunteering but have a disability or you want to apply on behalf of someone with a disability then this briefing note will give initial guidance.

If you would like to volunteer please fill out this application form and either email it to [email protected] or post it to: Bodmin Railway, Bodmin General Station, Bodmin, PL31 1AG.

How to join

There are always vacancies and new volunteers are warmly welcomed to the friendly team who keep the Railway’s wheels turning.

Simply fill in the application form to Volunteer, and we will be in touch to welcome you to the team.

If you have any questions please contact our volunteer co-ordinator Terry Newton: Email [email protected] or telephone 01208 73555.