Heritage rail seeks new helpers

THE Victorian Goldfields Railway is looking for more volunteers to maintain and grow its operation.

The VGR operates heritage train services between Castlemaine and Maldon twice a week and is looking for help in different roles.

Volunteer coordinator Andrew Key said the importance of people who give their time and expertise to the operation couldn’t be overstated.

“We’re 99 percent run by volunteers,” he said. “Maintenance of the buildings, the track, and everything else as well as selling tickets, manning the train, marketing, advertising, administration; it’s all done by volunteers.”

Mr Key said VGR need new people in every role, but some were more pertinent than others.

“We really need mechanical roles,” he said. “Fitters, boiler makers, welders, anything like that.

“But we’ve got a heap of other roles we need help in as well. Customer service type roles, booking officer, conductor and then we’re also looking for people to operate the train.

“So, drivers, guards, firemen, signalmen, that sort of thing.

“You apply to become a volunteer. Then you attend a safety session and an information session and then it’s a matter of just walking through the different steps involved.

“If you want to become a train driver, you must do all the training and safety work, this covers signalling and shunting and all sorts of things.

“But if you’re willing to work your way through the steps you will become a fireman, and then finally a driver. It does take some years but can certainly be done.”

Providing a more well-rounded experience and not just a train ride is something VGR hope to achieve by getting in more helpers Mr Key said.

“We are consistently rated in the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide by TripAdvisor,” he said. “But by increasing the number of volunteers we can improve our services and offer even more.

“We want to turn a train ride into more of an experience. Painting more of a picture of the roles of the signalman and the fireman who operated the trains back in the day.”

People interested in becoming a volunteer with the VGR can contact [email protected].