Bluebell Railway volunteering

[Joshapple23]

Hi there, I'm starting volunteering as a Porter for the Bluebell railway, cant decide what station to choose to work out of; Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote or East Grinstead- so any of you have any information?

Also does anyone have any photos of the uniform I would wear?

 

[james_the_xv]

These would be great questions for the volunteer coordinator at your railway

 

[Ashley Hill]

Probably black jacket,trousers and waistcoat. A peak cap is also desirable.
Many railways have a store of old uniforms so the Bluebell may be able to fit you out.
EBay also has old railway uniforms for sale at various prices. Or you could try the Heritage Operations website (HOPS) in this link:-

HOPS Shop | HOPS

Operations support, data processing, tools and consumables for heritage steam railways and preserved locomotive owners.

www.heritage-ops.org.uk

 

[Joshapple23]

Ooo I hope so, I want to be fully kitted out!

 

[30907]

The uniform policy for the railway I serve on has a specific dress code for trainees. Again, your volunteer coordinator or equivalent should tell you, as no two railways have identical procedures.

Enjoy!

 

[Joshapple23]

The uniform policy for the railway I serve on has a specific dress code for trainees. Again, your volunteer coordinator or equivalent should tell you, as no two railways have identical procedures.

Enjoy!

What is it for trainees

 

[simonw]

What is it for trainees

Ask via email

volunteer.coordinator@bluebell-railway.com

 

[30907]

What is it for trainees

This is KWVR (I just happened to be checking it today, don't think it's confidential):

White (preferably) or light blue shirt or blouse.
Plain coloured or official uniform tie
Plain waistcoat in navy blue or black or black or dark blue pullover
Black, navy blue or dark grey trousers or knee or similar length skirt
Blazer type jacket in navy blue or black
Black (or brown) shoes (not trainers)

Remarkably like secondary school uniform, and not much a typical newcomer is unlikely to have.

 

[Joshapple23]

This is KWVR (I just happened to be checking it today, don't think it's confidential):

White (preferably) or light blue shirt or blouse.
Plain coloured or official uniform tie
Plain waistcoat in navy blue or black or black or dark blue pullover
Black, navy blue or dark grey trousers or knee or similar length skirt
Blazer type jacket in navy blue or black
Black (or brown) shoes (not trainers)

Remarkably like secondary school uniform, and not much a typical newcomer is unlikely to have.

Oh I like the sound of that!

 

[158760]

Hi there, I'm starting volunteering as a Porter for the Bluebell railway, cant decide what station to choose to work out of; Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote or East Grinstead- so any of you have any information?

Also does anyone have any photos of the uniform I would wear?

Kingscote and East Grinstead tend to be the ones shortest on porters, so they appreciate any help they can get. My advice would be choose whichever station you like the most, and pass out there. However, if you wanted to, you can be a porter at more than one station.

In relation to what each station has - Sheffield Park tends to be the busiest station, with Horsted as a close second. The other two can be more quiet.

 

[43055]

This is KWVR (I just happened to be checking it today, don't think it's confidential):

White (preferably) or light blue shirt or blouse.
Plain coloured or official uniform tie
Plain waistcoat in navy blue or black or black or dark blue pullover
Black, navy blue or dark grey trousers or knee or similar length skirt
Blazer type jacket in navy blue or black
Black (or brown) shoes (not trainers)

Remarkably like secondary school uniform, and not much a typical newcomer is unlikely to have.

The blazer I use is my old school one

Hi there, I'm starting volunteering as a Porter for the Bluebell railway, cant decide what station to choose to work out of; Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote or East Grinstead- so any of you have any information?

Also does anyone have any photos of the uniform I would wear?

For my first day I just had a Plain shirt and that was it so as long as you are smart I think it will be OK. The waistcoat, tie and hat I how have came from HOPS (link in post 3) and they normally come in a couple of days. If you have an induction this should cover the uniform and stations to work out of.

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

Hi there, I'm starting volunteering as a Porter for the Bluebell railway, cant decide what station to choose to work out of; Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote or East Grinstead- so any of you have any information?

Also does anyone have any photos of the uniform I would wear?

I think the uniform depends on the station. Sheffield Park is finished as LB&SCR and certainly some staff dress accordingly. Horsted Keynes is in SR livery, and it looks as though they dress as such.
(Not a Bluebell member, so I may be talking spheroids!)
Pat

 

[158760]

I think the uniform depends on the station. Sheffield Park is finished as LB&SCR and certainly some staff dress accordingly. Horsted Keynes is in SR livery, and it looks as though they dress as such.

The stations are meant to be themed in eras, getting newer the further north you go. The list is as follows:

Sheffield Park - 1880s
Horsted Keynes - Mid 1930s
Kingscote - Mid 1950s
East Grinstead - Early 1960s

The majority of porters do wear the uniform correct to their station era.

 

[Joshapple23]

I think the uniform depends on the station. Sheffield Park is finished as LB&SCR and certainly some staff dress accordingly. Horsted Keynes is in SR livery, and it looks as though they dress as such.
(Not a Bluebell member, so I may be talking spheroids!)
Pat

Thank you for the info!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jan 2025 ==

The stations are meant to be themed in eras, getting newer the further north you go. The list is as follows:

Sheffield Park - 1880s
Horsted Keynes - Mid 1930s
Kingscote - Mid 1950s
East Grinstead - Early 1960s

The majority of porters do wear the uniform correct to their station era.

Oooo this sounds exciting! I live in Worthing so I just wanna decide which is the most convenient to drive to!

 

[etr221]

Thank you for the info!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jan 2025 ==


Oooo this sounds exciting! I live in Worthing so I just wanna decide which is the most convenient to drive to!

Based on that, my advice would be to look at map as to how to get there, choose which looks the most convenient drive (based on your definition of 'convenient'), and give it a go - and when you get there have a chat with existing staff to introduce yourself, and give them a chance to sell their station as 'the best'. Then either say 'yes, this one', or try another.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The uniform for East Grinstead is probably more obtainable.

 

[James Wake]

Being a Bluebell volunteer, I work primarily at Kingscote and occasionally East Grinstead and Horsted Keynes. We certainly are shorter of staff up at KC and EG, and Kingscote is a beautiful station to work at but you can work at both to get variety. Horsted is lovely too and was used for most filming on the railway. Certainly happy to help and could potentially put you in touch with the roster person at KC and EG