All heritage railways are heavily dependent on volunteer workers to run services, maintain and refurbish locos and rolling stock, maintain and extend the infrastructure, sell tickets, man the shop and do all the other jobs that result in a first class attraction.

In our railway, all members of the Trust are automatically included in our insurance, enabling them to work on the track and stations, and in our depot at Wolsingham. Unfortunately, current Health & Safety legislation restricts the tasks and work for youngsters, but there are still plenty of opportunities open to them under supervision.

To go to Volunteers' Corner

The Loco Group (the Weardale Railway Locomotive Preservation Group) was the first of these groups of volunteers. They have now spent many years acquiring historic items of stock to renovate and use on the Weardale Railway. This was the the volunteer force that first secured and developed the Wolsingham site that has now become our depot. They also completed most of the early track clearance and laid the first of our sidings. Now that we are up and running, they can concentrate on the task of refurbishing heritage locos and rolling stock to see them in use once again.

If you have some time to spare, and have an enthusiasm for bringing new life into traction & rolling stock that deserve to be seen running in Weardale, this could be the group for you.
To find out more go to their own website www.wrlpg.com

The W R Locomotive & Carriage Trust may be more in your line if you do not have the time or enthusiasm for "hands-on" refurbishment work, but wish to help by raising funds. This group was formed with the intention of contributing towards the purchase of rolling stock (particularly coaches and steam locos) for use in Weardale. All donations are gratefully accepted, but to become a voting member of the group a minimum annual donation of £100 is required.
Further details from Dr. Michael Wood  mykewud@hotmail.com

The North Eastern Heritage Diesel Group is a group of enthusiasts wishing to acquire and base diesel motive power in Weardale. If this is your thing, you can visit their own web page to find out more by clicking www.nehdg.org.uk

Other groups will continue to be added as needs are identified. For example, we need station groups to keep everything tidy, do a bit of planting and gardening, etc. and as we grow there will come a need for signalling.
If you have a particular interest that is not already catered for, contact the Trust office for information and advice.