SWANAGE RAILWAY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS! - July 2011

Announcement from Matt McManus - dated 20th July 2011
Deputy Operations Manager, Swanage Railway.
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Seen in 2009, this photograph shows the youngest 'Wessex Belle' train crew in the history of the Swanage Railway with ex-Great Western Railway 0-6-2 tank locomotive No.6695. 22-year old driver - now Deputy Operations Manager - Matt McManus (centre) with his fireman, 21-year old Billy Johnson (left) and 24-year old guard George Rashbrook (right). Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Matt McManus, Swanage Railway's Deputy Operations Manager, writes:

The Swanage Railway is actively looking to recruit new volunteers in the Operations Department.

The Swanage Railway thrives as a busy seaside railway. It relies on its mainly volunteer workforce to enable it to operate one of the most intensive private railway services in Britain.

We are looking for all types of people from young to old to get involved with the running of the award winning Swanage Railway.

If you are interested in joining our happy band of volunteers then please get in touch. We will arrange to show you round, meet our existing volunteers and staff and introduce you to the railway on a personal level

You may be unsure of what you want to do?

We will be able to show you the many opportunities that exist within the department during this induction and point you into an area that is most suited to you.

From Porters and Locomotive Cleaners, to Signalmen, Guards, Drivers and Firemen, they all come under the banner of the operation.

There is the opportunity to get involved in our exciting Heritage Railway NOW!

If you know what you want to do on the railway then you may be interested to know that we are currently in need of more Locomotive Cleaners, Trainee Porters/Guards and Trainee Signalmen. See the sections below for more details:

• Locomotive Cleaners - The first Step on the locomotive department ladder. Promotion to Swanage Railway Fireman / Driver is possible and full training will be given.

Work on our fantastic collection of steam locomotives and see first hand what's involved in keeping these locomotives running in the 21st Century.

We need more Locomotive Cleaners urgently! If you are interested call the operations office direct on 01929 475203



Visiting ex-LB&SCR A1X 0-6-0T Terrier 'Martello' with ex-L&SWR M7 tank No. 53 (30053) being cleaned and coaled at Swanage loco shed on Thursday 9th September 2010 in readiness for the annual Steam Gala. Photo Peter Milford

• Trainee Porters/Guards - Become the public face of the railway, meeting and greeting our visitors but also ensuring safety of train operations.


Volunteers are the public face of the Swanage Railway, meeting and greeting our visitors.

• Trainee Signalmen - We will be running our next Signalman's Training School shortly.

The Swanage Railway's Signalman Training School is considered to be one of the best in preservation.

If you would like to join the next class please contact Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or email him at mike.whitwam@corfestation.f2s.com

Successful completion of the training school will allow you to work our fabulous new signal box at Corfe Castle along with our award winning Signal Boxes at Swanage and Harmans Cross.

Swanage Railway's volunteer liaison officer and S&T department volunteer Mike Whitwam (right) shows Bob Richards (centre) around Corfe Castle's new 'Victorian' signal box on Monday, 3rd January 2011 Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

For Operations Department enquiries you can contact the Operations office direct on 01929 475203 or drop us an email at operations@swanage-railway.co.uk

For all other Swanage Railway Volunteering please contact Mike Whitwam, Volunteer liaison officer by phone on 01929 475212 or by email on mike.whitwam@corfestation.f2s.com

We look forward to welcoming you to the Swanage Railway!

Please also visit our dedicated Swanage Railway Volunteering and Jobs Page here for full background details on our various departments and downloadable brochures on how to become a volunteer with our thriving railway, and don't forget to visit our dedicated Swanage Railway Volunteers In Action Page here to see numerous photos of the Swanage Railway's volunteer workforce in action on and around the railway.