So you’ve found my first article and somehow you’ve come to the conclusion that this ‘train thing’ might just be for you. You may be thinking how do I get started, where can I go and what can I see? How do I find what I’m interested in?
To put it in plain and simple terms, it’s dead easy. There are many resources for the UK based enthusiast to start from. You may know your local area, but if you don’t the internet will provide more than enough.
There are countless heritage lines in the UK, many of which can be found on the interactive map on http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php. Social media has also allowed the community to connect with each other, and the likes of Facebook will show up endless fan groups in your local area.
Heritage railways are not unique to Britain of course, worldwide there are museums and preservation societies dotted around. Check out your local area as wherever you are, there is likely to be a heritage railway or museum close by.
You could in fact take it further than a simple visit. Many lines are crying out for extra hands on deck. Your local heritage line may well benefit from your contribution. There’s always going to be volunteer space, and they always need extra help regardless of your skill level. I’ve met some fantastic people on my travels who are not always railway mad. Your local heritage line can in fact offer you various degrees of training and experiences they can offer. There is so much variety on offer, from driving the loco’s, being a ticket inspector, working on the permanent way or serving in the cafe.
The people you meet come from all walks of life with many tales to tell. They love to talk about anything and if you show an interest in what they’re doing, they’ll give you their time and show you what they do. It’s a fantastic way to learn and meet new people. People on the heritage railways love it when you show an interest. Ask nicely and you might even get to see behind the scenes.
To put it in plain and simple terms, it’s dead easy. There are many resources for the UK based enthusiast to start from. You may know your local area, but if you don’t the internet will provide more than enough.
There are countless heritage lines in the UK, many of which can be found on the interactive map on http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php. Social media has also allowed the community to connect with each other, and the likes of Facebook will show up endless fan groups in your local area.
Heritage railways are not unique to Britain of course, worldwide there are museums and preservation societies dotted around. Check out your local area as wherever you are, there is likely to be a heritage railway or museum close by.
You could in fact take it further than a simple visit. Many lines are crying out for extra hands on deck. Your local heritage line may well benefit from your contribution. There’s always going to be volunteer space, and they always need extra help regardless of your skill level. I’ve met some fantastic people on my travels who are not always railway mad. Your local heritage line can in fact offer you various degrees of training and experiences they can offer. There is so much variety on offer, from driving the loco’s, being a ticket inspector, working on the permanent way or serving in the cafe.
The people you meet come from all walks of life with many tales to tell. They love to talk about anything and if you show an interest in what they’re doing, they’ll give you their time and show you what they do. It’s a fantastic way to learn and meet new people. People on the heritage railways love it when you show an interest. Ask nicely and you might even get to see behind the scenes.
In a deviation to the heritage railways, there are also a plethora of museums across the country. The Railway Museum (https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/) is arguably the core of Britains railway museums, and I agree its one of the best, but there are many you can visit. Some have greater specialisations. For example, Steam - Museum of the Great Western Railway (https://www.steam-museum.org.uk/) and Didcot Railway Centre (https://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/), both focus on the GWR. Many sites do offer tours and talks if you go to specific events, and some smaller societies will give you a tour just because you ask nicely.
I will be writing to a greater extent about individual museums in future posts. One thing I will stress, if a volunteer has given you a lot of their time, take kind consideration to the donation box. Dropping some coins in, regardless of how small, will go a long way.
I will be writing to a greater extent about individual museums in future posts. One thing I will stress, if a volunteer has given you a lot of their time, take kind consideration to the donation box. Dropping some coins in, regardless of how small, will go a long way.
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