RPSI
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Contents - About Us
How
you can help us
The RPSI is a voluntary-run
organisation. Our volunteers preserve, conserve and restore railway
vehicles from the era when steam trains were common. Our volunteers
operate mainline steam trains throughout Ireland and throughout the
year. Being involved in railway preservation is great fun but more
- it rewards the volunteer with new friends, new skills, exposure to all
that railway heritage has to offer. Would you like to become involved
in restoring or operating our trains? We are passionate about the
steam trains we run and we always welcome new volunteers. Check that
you meet the pre-requisites and if you are still unsure,
then take a look at what
you are missing!
Finally, don't take
our word for it. A little research shows that volunteering is very
good for your health.
James learning new skills
at Whitehead. Just like him, you too could be helping Irish steam.
Photo by P.Lockett |
Have
you a yearning to do something productive with your spare time? Would
you like to work in a team towards a real goal? Think of what you
might be able to gain -
you will meet friendly
people with a common interest
you will learn new skills
or maybe try out something you have always wanted to do.
you will be out and
enjoying our green and pleasant land at its best - from a train, at our
engineering bases in Dublin and Whitehead or maybe as part of our Dublin
and Belfast Area Operations Committees.
in our hectic modern
lives, you can have a hobby that rewards and relaxes. Stress relief.
whatever you do with
the RPSI, you will be ensuring that steam trains continue to run for the
good of the whole community
|
We are asking for
whatever help you can give us, from stuffing envelopes one evening a quarter,
to regular physical volunteering at our bases in Mullingar and Whitehead.
The jobs range from administrative tasks to heavy engineering. We
require to complete every possible business activity you can imagine in
between!
You too can be like The
Milky Bar kid here, too long in the loco department does strange things
to a man....
Photo by A. Richardson
Vacancies exist in the following
departments:
-
On train staff - catering, marshalling, seat
allocation
-
Steam Locomotive roster (become a cleaner/steam-raiser
and then work up the grades to shunter, fireman or steam driver)
-
Locomotive Workshop department - restoration
of preserved steam (and diesel) railway locomotives
-
Carriage & Wagon department - restoration
of Irelands largest collection of vintage railway carriages
-
Permanent Way department - track, fencing,
buildings and structures
-
Sales and marketing - book, toy and railwayana
sales and shopkeeping
-
Fundraising - an often overlooked job, but
vitally important
-
Operations teams - organising every aspect
of the steam trains we operate throughout Ireland
If you would
like to become a RPSI volunteer then you
must be:
-
Be aged 14+. 14-16 year olds must be
accompanied by an adult.
-
An RPSI
Member (required for insurance purposes)
-
Suitably dressed - for physical work at Dublin
or Whitehead, old clothes/overalls, steel toe capped boots are essential
(you won't be allowed to work without them). Don't wear anything
that you want to see clean again!
If you would like to become a RPSI volunteer
it will help if you have:
-
Minimal / no / some / lots of previous experience!
Any training required will be provided.
-
An ability to laugh :-)
-
An ability to drink tea!
-
An ability to think laterally & literally!
Would
you like to know more?
Volunteers are welcomed at both Whitehead,
Northern Ireland and Dublin/Mullingar, Republic of Ireland.
If you are interested in becoming an active
volunteer (even for one day a year, or less!!) then :
In Northern Ireland
Turn up in person any Saturday or Sunday
to our engineering depot:
Whitehead Excursion Station,
Castleview Road,
Whitehead.
|
In the Republic of Ireland
Please write to:
RPSI Volunteering
Ashgrove House
Kill Avenue
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
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Or contact us by email
(click here) for more details.
The RPSI has nearly 1000 members – one
member spending one day with a paintbrush or a pen can make all the difference!
Give it a try
- we know you'll enjoy it!
