Guide for Guards

The Guard has a particularly important role to fulfil on the Bala Lake Railway - often the Train Guard is the first point of contact for potential customers on Bala Lake Railway. Train Guards often are required to issue tickets and collect monies from passengers as well ensure passenger safety when travelling and particulalry when getting on/off the train. The Train Guard is in charge of the train - the Driver/Fireman are in charge of the locomotive.

Guards Clothing

You will need to look smart and be part of the corporate image of the railway. This means:

• black trousers or a plain dark skirt
• a white shirt, white work-style blouse or top
• sturdy & comfortable shoes - there is much walking and, in the event of a breakdown you may be required to leave the train and walk along the track to assist
• a set of waterproofs

Charity shops are a often good source of inexpensive work items such as plain waistcoats, waterproofs, headgear, white shirts etc.

Guards Duties

On Bala Lake Railway, guards have three main responsibilities:

• Taking fares from passengers and issuing tickets
• Ensuring passenger safety at all times
• Ensuring the train is clean and safe to use at all times

Dealing with Tickets

At the start of the operating day the Guard will be issued with a ticket rack, money bag (with float) and ticket clippers. The Guard must ensure that the ticket rack contains all of the needed tickets and that the amount of float is correct.

On days when the Booking Office is not manned, the Guard will sell tickets at Llanuwchllyn, Llangower and Bala stations prior to departure of the train. Passengers getting on at other stations will be sold tickets at that point of embarkation or if more practical, during the remainder of the trains journey.Mbr />
At the end of the operating day, the Guard is required to balance the value and number of tickets sold against the amount of money recieved (minus the float) and to ensure that sufficent coinage and notes are available to make up the next days float.

Passenger Safety

Passenger safety is paramount at all times. Guards are responsible for ensuring passenger behaviour on the train does not put themselves or others at risk.

Should something happen that halts the train while enroute, the Guard must first secure the parking break, secondly check the welfare of the passengers and thirdly offer help where practical - this may mean walking to the nearest public phone to summon assistance or accompanying passengers along the track to safety.

Clean and Safe Train

Prior to the day's operations, the Guard should ensure that the carriages forming the train are clean and safe to use; that the emergency braking system is operable; that all doors can be effectively shut and that the windows and seats are are clean, ready for the passengers.

Guards should also check the train at the end of the day for lost property of defects - reporting the defects immediately to the Engineer.

Full training will be provided for any willing volunteer.