Llangollen Railcars is a voluntary organisation and membership is open to everyone irrespective of background or ability. 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, Butterley. No skills are required as full training for any role is given.
The Group's membership encompasses a wide range of ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Comfortable facilities are provided for meetings, refreshments and meals.
Here some of the members are seen at an Annual Meeting, during which past performances and future aspirations were discussed.
Photo By Ian Bradbury
New recruits are invited to spend a year or so getting to know the workings of the group by joining fellow members in carrying out maintenance, repair and/or restoration work on our railcars. Those who aspire to 'footplate' duties will then be assessed for their suitability and, if successful, required to pass the Railway's medical examination. The career progression from traction trainee through secondman to driver can be expected to take a few years, though this is dependent on how often you can attend. Staff in the footplate grades also continue to take part in maintenance/repair/restoration work.
All maintenance work to our trains is carried out by our members including wheelset 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 vehicles that are now over sixty years old 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.
Photo by Ian Bradbury
We may be able to offer some on-train jobs for people who would like to help out on the train without embarking on a 'footplate' career. In keeping with the train crew grades, new recruits would be required to assist with maintenance/repair/restoration work and to spend a year or so with the group before being assessed for on-train duties.
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 invite you to come and see our operation and, if you're interested in taking part, arrange for a volunteer induction. There is no separate fee for membership, but we encourage members to be members of the Llangollen Railway Trust. Meetings are held regularly at Llangollen Railway and also at the Midland Railway, Butterley where one of our railcars is currently undergoing restoration.
Photo By Ian Bradbury