The Dean Forest Railway is holding a Volunteers Open Day on Sunday, September 19.

The day starts at 10am with a brief overview of the opportunities for members. These are to not only to help run the railway but also to maintain and develop practical skills and to be trained in new skills as well, such as operating signals and points.

Wayne Crowley, the railway's volunteering co-ordinator, said: "We'll take a trip up the line to Parkend, return for a tour of the main Norchard site and meet heads of department to discuss specific functions over a buffet lunch in Whistles Café.

"Our critical roles are trained to a similar standard as the mainline railway, with the same emphasis on safety. We are here not just for our customers to enjoy a great day out, but also for their safety. You simply cannot separate those two aspects."

The Dean Forest Railway Society is a registered charity, its main purpose is to support the railway by raising funds and by guiding members in running a railway to professional standards.

Alastair Clarke, chair of the society's board of trustees and the company's director of operations said: "We are now operating our full timetable and coping very well with the remaining restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.

"Everybody has been so pleased to be back running trains for our visitors. Apart from celebrating the industrial history of the Royal Forest - and the Severn and Wye Railway - it's why we exist!"

Click on https://www.dfrsociety.org.uk/event-info/volunteering-open-day-2021  to register for the Open Day, or if you're interested in helping to run the railway in any role but can't come then, reach Wayne on volunteering@deanforestrailway.co.uk 

The Dean Forest Railway is operated almost entirely by volunteers, working members of the society. Some work in groups such as the wagoneers, the Monday Gang, the signal and telegraph group, permanent way, lineside, Dean Forest Locomotive Group, the DMU Group, Dean Forest Diesel Association and Carriage & Wagon.

DFR also has customer-facing roles in the shop, the museum and Whistles Café - not to mention firing and driving trains, working as crossing-keepers, guards, signallers and platform staff: it's quite a team!