How to Work on British Steam Locomotives?

[Steam]

Hello everyone,


I'm looking for some knowledge in regards to whom, where and how to work on British steam locomotives, and I believe the RailUK forums could be a good place to start.

I'm interested in what kind of skills and experience one would need prior to applying to a role; are steam drivers engineers by trade? or are they on the same level as a 'normal' freight or passenger driver?

Also; where is a good place to look for possible opportunities?


Thank you

 

[JBM 37404]

Volunteer on a preserved line and work your way up through progression I would say is your best bet. Most people in the UK have one within an hour or two's journey. The mainline is more tricky although you could contact groups who operate on the mainline who use support crews and see what they say. I recommend the preserved lines first though to give you some grounding.

 

[Crawley Ben]

Have a butchers at the link below. Might be of some interest to you.

http://clan-line.org.uk/membership-page

Ben

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

You could get driver training at some narrow guage railways. Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway gave out certificates 2 years ago at least. Not sure if they still do. That must be the start, it was costly though.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Hello everyone,


I'm looking for some knowledge in regards to whom, where and how to work on British steam locomotives, and I believe the RailUK forums could be a good place to start.

I'm interested in what kind of skills and experience one would need prior to applying to a role; are steam drivers engineers by trade? or are they on the same level as a 'normal' freight or passenger driver?

Also; where is a good place to look for possible opportunities?


Thank you

Presumably you are from abroad?
Volunteer for a preserved railway, work up through the grades from cleaner (ie labourer) - fireman - driver. Expect this to take a considerable number of years. Requires considerable commitment and aptitude. However, you will only be qualified to work on that particular railway.

Mainline - the short answer is existing professional railwaymen, and very few of them.

 

[TDK]

Mainline - the short answer is existing professional railwaymen, and very few of them.

In most cases however I do question this on many occasions

 

[Steam]

Presumably you are from abroad?
Volunteer for a preserved railway, work up through the grades from cleaner (ie labourer) - fireman - driver. Expect this to take a considerable number of years. Requires considerable commitment and aptitude. However, you will only be qualified to work on that particular railway.

Mainline - the short answer is existing professional railwaymen, and very few of them.

Thank you for all your replies, much appreciated.

I'm actually from the north of England. I've contacted Tanfield Railway to see if they have anything available and to my surprise they're wanting volunteers. Cleaner, fireman, driver - in that order!

I'm going to go to their open day / weekend and see if I can commit to volunteering.

Thanks again all

 

[E&W Lucas]

In most cases however I do question this on many occasions

The lifting of suspension letter to WCR mentions them only using their "more experienced" crews. I wonder if that means we seen the last of the "back door" ones?

 

[Nick82]

Hello everyone,


I'm looking for some knowledge in regards to whom, where and how to work on British steam locomotives, and I believe the RailUK forums could be a good place to start.

I'm interested in what kind of skills and experience one would need prior to applying to a role; are steam drivers engineers by trade? or are they on the same level as a 'normal' freight or passenger driver?

Also; where is a good place to look for possible opportunities?


Thank you

May I ask where in the North of England your located, are you near Tanfield

 

[E&W Lucas]

Thank you for all your replies, much appreciated.

I'm actually from the north of England. I've contacted Tanfield Railway to see if they have anything available and to my surprise they're wanting volunteers. Cleaner, fireman, driver - in that order!

I'm going to go to their open day / weekend and see if I can commit to volunteering.

Thanks again all

If you fancy working on large locos, or find a railway that operates 7 days a week during the season easier to fit in with, please also give the NYMR a thought.

 

[Steam]

May I ask where in the North of England your located, are you near Tanfield

I'm located 15 miles away from the Tanfield Railway, aprrox.