Learn New Skills
There are many jobs on offer to you at our railway and we hope you will come and help us in whatever capacity you feel most suitable.
At Bala Lake Railway you can learn new skills or expand existing abilities while getting plenty of fresh Welsh air and meeting new people.
Skills to Learn
Locomotive Maintenance offers many opportunities for aspiring volunteers. Whilst the finished product is very obvious, much of the behind the scenes work goes un-noticed, but it is vitally important. The work is challenging and almost invariably dirty! Anyone who is experienced with engineering and/or machining will be most welcome but these skills are not essential. There is a wide range of tasks for both skilled and unskilled new members as help is required in all corners of the department. You must possess the necessary personal equipment to work in the locomotive department. Steel capped boots and overalls are mandatory.
Footplate Crews are usually trained from members who have spent a time working on our Railway beforehand, steam locomotives are usually rostered to our service trains. The Railway has diesel locomotives to assist with shunting and other duties. If you are looking for challenging and rewarding ‘hands-on’ work, your contribution will be most welcome.
Guards are responsible for the safety of the train, its passengers. Their tasks include preparation of the stock before the day’s operations, dealing with passengers and issuing tickets/collecting money when the booking office at Llanuwchllyn is closed. Guards have to be smart in their appearance as well as being friendly and approachable when dealing with passenger enquiries.
Eco Maintenance - Bala Lake Railway is 4 & half miles long and has along both sides for most of that distance embankments and open space that need to be managed – that’s 9 miles of trees and bushes that has to be looked after every year.
In addition we have the major station at Llanuwchllyn, which has plants, flowers, trees and bushes and lots and lots of grass that needs to be maintained. Add to that the small halts at Pentrepiod, Glanllyn, Llangower, Bryn Hynod plus our Bala (Pont) terminus and we have a lot of land that requires constant management.
So if you would like to help us help the railway and its passengers but want to be out in the fresh Welsh air, why not offer your services as an Eco-Management volunteer?
Carriage & Wagon Department - Many of the wagons the railway currently uses have been built or modified in the Llanuwchllyn workshop. Similarly, all of the carriages currently in use have been heavily modified by railway staff and volunteers.
Our small, but thriving Carriage & Wagon Department always extends a warm welcome to new volunteers. It is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and restoration of our numerous coaches and wagons, jobs requiring a variety of skills. The work is varied and interesting ranging from engineering on braking systems to paintwork, interiors, carriage cleaning and bodywork repairs and many more.
Permanent Way Department - The main task of this department is to maintain and renew the track & line-side drainage throughout the Railway. This is vital work if the railway is to operate safely. The role of the ‘platelayer’ is ideal for anyone who enjoys working outdoors and a reasonable level of physical fitness is required.
The Permanent Way Dept. is required to operate as a team and, to many volunteers the team spirit is one of the most important aspects of their involvement. New members are always welcome and full training in all tasks is provided. This department makes a significant contribution to the Railway.
Signalman - The Railway signalling system is essential for its safe and efficient operation and if you want to be a signalman you will need to have a thorough knowledge of the signalling systems and of our Railway operations.
Currently our Railway has two operational signal boxes, at Llanuwchllyn Station & at the Llangower passing loop. The Llangower loop box is rarely used as the railway operates a one train in use staff and ticket system at most times. Llanuwchllyn Box has a number of traffic movements to deal with throughout each operating day. We would hope that Signalmen would also take responsibility for routine maintenance of the equipment in their charge.
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