Get involved
Becoming a volunteer
An opportunity to contribute to an iconic educational and tourist attraction, practise and learn a variety of skills, and join a passionate team.
We're growing our volunteer team. If you've not volunteered on a heritage railway because of the formality, extended training or specialised roles, please think again.
Volunteers keep our tramway and museum running and help us build for the future. We operate a real railway, regulated by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, and we're proud that we run a safe and professional, authentic heritage operation. To do this, we need real volunteers.
Being small, we have a minimum of formality and plenty of opportunity. You'll often have the chance to do things your own way, while benefiting from the essential safety systems of an operating railway.
What volunteers do
While we need people to honour commitments made, we don't have formal requirements for time or task. You can help one day a year or as often as you'd like. We're a small, friendly group made up of locals and people from across Victoria.
- Driving a train
- Being a guard
- Selling tickets or shop items
- Being a platform host
- Laying track
- Maintaining or repairing heritage machinery and equipment
- Helping with back office tasks
Different jobs need different training and supervision, but we provide these. All roles require a Working with Children check (free for volunteers), and roles classified as "rail workers" require a medical. Trade skills and railway experience are especially valuable, but many tasks require no prior knowledge.
Volunteer teams
Engineering team
The engineering team is responsible for maintaining, operating and developing the tramway. The mechanical and engineering skills of this team keep our fleet of steam, diesel and petrol locomotives operating safely. They also look after active and display exhibits — undertaking scheduled and ad-hoc maintenance, repairs and modifications. Volunteers with skills and qualifications in boilermaking, steam engine operation, and diesel and petrol engine fitting are especially welcome.
Operations team
Runs the trains and welcomes our visitors on operating days — drivers, guards, station staff and hosts.
Site team
Looks after our grounds, buildings and displays across the five-hectare precinct.
Ready? Get in touch or come along to the next working bee.