This page describes what's involved in working in the Steam Locomotive Department and how you can progress to becoming an engineman. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer after reading this article then please click here for more information.

There's a lot more to running steam locomotives than just driving them, and the Steam Locomotive Department of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is responsible for all that is involved in putting a working steam locomotive on the front of a passenger train. As a volunteer you can be involved in anything from the mundane (but necessary) preparation of a locomotive for traffic and its disposal at the end of the day to assisting with major repairs and restoration, as well as receiving training that will eventually lead to your firing and driving our locomotives.

After health and safety training you will be able to start working in the Department, and you will be looked after by a mentor until you are familiar with the way that the Department runs. If you have special skills, such as being a machinist, then you will be able to work in our well-equipped workshop, otherwise there will be the routine tasks involved with running locomotives and minor maintenance work such as changing brake shoes, springs etc. Training is available for those who want to learn some new engineering skills. As well as Saturdays and Sundays, the 'Wednesday Gang' comes in mid-week to keep things running smoothly.

Not everyone wants to become a footplate crew member but, for those that do, a reasonable level of commitment is required to become and remain proficient in your duties. As a cleaner you will be rostered to help prepare and dispose of working locomotives, and you will usually be able to join the crew on the footplate for one of the day's trips to Cheltenham to give you experience of enginemen's duties. The day starts early, at 7 o'clock, but it all seems worthwhile when you're on the footplate warming yourself by the fire and munching a bacon buttie with people admiring your gleaming locomotive! If you want to read more about one of our volunteers first taste of life on the footplate then click here. Once selected for fireman training you will undergo a medical examination and then receive classroom and practical instruction over a period of around 12 months before sitting a written examination and being assessed by one of the Railway's inspectors. If you are able to attend the Railway around 3 times per month you could expect to be on the footplate as a rostered fireman at least once per month. Driving a steam locomotive is a challenging and responsible task, looking after 300 tons of train and hundreds of passengers, and so selection for driver training is on both merit and experience as a fireman. Driver training follows the same system as fireman training, again with a written and practical examination. We are lucky on the GWR to be the custodians of the City of Truro, reputedly the first steam locomotive to exceed 100 mph over a century ago, and so your first 'solo' driving turn could be in charge of this historic and iconic locomotive - something to tell the grandchildren about.

You can contact us through the website form here. To help us ensure that your enquiry is dealt with efficiently, please ensure you select "General Enquiry", and enter "Steam Volunteering" in the subject line.