Volunteering Opportunity: Mini Railway Station Master, Guard and Driver with Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills Co. Ltd

Learn how to set up and run the Mini Railway. Drive the train and help the passengers on and off the carriages, giving a safe and enjoyable experience to RGM s visitors, young and old. You will need to be good with people, capable to drive the train and responsible with the equipment.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Broxbourne

Location: Outdoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons, Weekend Half Days

Practical Considerations: On the main visitor area of the site, accessed by the main entrance in Beaulieu Drive. Vehicles may be parked in the visitor car park. On very busy weekends staff and volunteers park in the overflow car park (adjacent to the visitor car park), or elsewhere by arrangement.

Requirements: Own vehicle or access to a vehicle

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Armed Services, Driving & Transportation

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
Times: Weekends and bank Holiday Mondays in the summer season (April- September) and weekdays during school holidays (including February and October half terms) as this is when the site is open to the public. From 11am to set up (rides begin at 12pm) until 4.30pm. Frequency: When needed. There is a rota for when we are open to the public. Volunteers offer their time, and a rota is drawn up to be sure the duties are covered Duties Include: 1. To prepare the train and carriages each day, ensuring they are in safe working order, clean and ready for use. 2. Inspect the track for any damage, clear any debris and check the points are operating efficiently. 3. To drive the engine with passengers, along the track and back in a safe manner. 4. Ride as guard on the back of the train, ensuring passengers are safe. 5. To assist with the operating requirements of the Mini Railway, including helping the visitors on/off. 6. To place the batteries on charge at the end of the day and fit them in the engine before use each morning. 7. To promote the rides to the visitors. 8. To assist in answering visitors questions in a friendly, helpful manner. 9. To undertake the necessary training and assessment. 10. To keep safe any donations given and/or collect fare money from the passengers keeping it securely until paid into the RGM shop till. 11. To work as part of a team especially with the other Mini Railway Volunteers. 12. To carry out other appropriate duties from time to time. 13. To be prepared to engage with the visitors in a friendly and helpful manner. 14. To feed back comments favourable or otherwise to the duty manager.

1. Complete the training to the required level and pass the assessment. 2. To be physically able to set up the engine and carriages and fit and remove the batteries for charging 3. To be willing to learn about and understand the site s activities and to fit the Mini Railway s operation in with other events and timetables. 4. To be reliable and contact us if there is any change in availability to the rota. 5. A willingness to be out of doors in variable weather conditions. 6. A positive interest in the Royal Gunpowder Mills site.