Llangollen Railcars is a voluntary organisation and membership is open to everyone irrespective of background or ability. Members range in age from 14 to 76 years of age. We meet at the Llangollen Railway on various days each week and prospective volunteers are invited to sign up for our internal newsgroup which keeps members informed of any working parties which are planned. We also have regular meetings at the Midland Railway Butterly. No skills are required as full training for any role is given.
The Workers Membership is drawn from a wide range of ages, abilities and backgrounds. The group is also lucky that we have modern facilities for meetings, refreshments and meals. Here some of the members are seen at the Annual Meeting, during which past performance and future aspirations are discussed. Photo By Ian Bradbury
Anyone joining us can volunteer for training as traincrew and anyone can make driver, although it takes about five years of hard work as there are external examinations to pass and many hundreds of miles of train driving have to be undertaken before a licence is granted. Other footplate jobs include Traction Trainee and Secondman and there is also a chance to be a Guard, if that is what you would prefer.
All maintenance work to our trains is carried out by our members including wheel changes, such as this one here. Skilled staff are always present to guide less able members and to ensure that they work safely. There is great satisfaction in keeping 50 year old vehicles in tip-top condition.
Full instruction is given to any new member who does not have a background in railways. Here two of our younger members are taught how to couple up two of our multiple units. Photo By Alex Beadon
Many traditional skills are kept alive in our workshops. Here a compressor from a diesel engine is overhauled to improve its performance. Picture Ian Bradbury
There are plenty of on-train jobs, too, for potential members who'd like to go out on the line and meet members of the public but who don't perhaps want to be drivers or secondmen. These can include revenue duties, or becoming a train guard. Photo By Ian Bradbury
If you think that Llangollen Railcars might be for you then please contact us at contact@llangollenrailcars.co.uk. We will arrange to call you and discuss membership and there will be someone on hand to show you round at your first meeting. There is no seperate fee for membership but for insurance purposes all members must be members of the Llangollen Railway Trust. Meetings are held regularly at Llangollen Railway and there are also working parties at other sites from time to time on other vehicles in our fleet which are either stored, undergoing restoration elsewhere or hired out. Photo By Ian Bradbury