At the beginning of June, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR)) is holding its annual Volunteers Week when two drop-in sessions where prospective volunteers can find out more about the railway during its recruitment campaign

The railway needs from 300 to 500 hours of volunteer support every day to keep services running.

It is these dedicated volunteers that have inspired and brought smiles to visitors on the heritage railway for the past 50 years, and hopefully will continue to do so.

This year’s Volunteers Week takes place from Thursday, 1st to Tuesday, 7th June, and the two ‘drop-in’ sessions are part of its ongoing ‘Put Yourself in the Picture’ recruitment campaign.

The first session will be held in the Great Western Saloon on Platform 4 at Grosmont Station on Monday 5th June from 10 am-12 pm.

The second session will be on Wednesday,7th June from 1 pm-4 pm in the Classroom on Platform 2 at Pickering Station.

Anyone who is interested in joining the railway as a volunteer can meet staff and volunteers to find out how to get involved, what it means to be a volunteer on the railways, and the lifelong rewards it brings.

There is a need for volunteers to work on the locomotive footplate, and in the Infrastructure and Motive Power departments to help with civil engineering, building, electrical, and mechanical work, as well as maintaining, repairing and overhauling the railway’s fleet of steam and diesel locomotives.

Besides the locomotive department, volunteers are needed for station staff, signalling and telecommunications, customer service, retail, catering, fundraising, and education.

They are also required to carry out community engagement, administration and even remote working.

This is the third year that the NYMR has spearheaded a “Love Your Railway” national campaign which highlights a theme for all heritage railways and organisations to share stories related to those themes.

From 5th to 11th June, the theme is Volunteers, so now is an ideal time to get involved and ‘Put Yourself in the Picture’ by applying at nymr.co.uk/volunteer

Michelle Baggaley, Community Engagement Manager for the NYMR, commented: “Every day we see the incredible work and dedication of our volunteers, they are the lifeblood of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Seeing visitors engage with them and the joy it brings to both sides is incredibly rewarding.

“We’re always open to new volunteer opportunities, whether you’re a rail enthusiast keen to learn more or someone who simply wants to have a positive impact and support a much-loved charity.“

This year the railway is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Terry Newman is one of its longest-serving volunteers, from his first visit in 1968, and said “Volunteering for the NYMR has been an interesting and enjoyable journey.

“Throughout my working and volunteer life, it’s been a pleasure to watch people continue to be fascinated by steam locomotives. Alongside the fascination,

“I have seen visitors’ and volunteers’ knowledge and skills expand, and I feel proud to know I’ve been a part of that. Engaging with the public and hoping I’ve contributed to the smile on their face is a wonderful feeling.”