Working on a heritage line.

[sayhall]

Hi folks, first post from myself.

I've been debating and thinking of how I could join a preserved railway and work my way up through the ranks of the footplate. Being from northern ireland it aint easy getting across to the "mainland" and just wondering how I could do this. As in previous research there's usualy a required number of turns each year and some locations it is a lot of them. Especially when if I did say 2 weeks on a line I wouldn't donthe full 10 days on the footplate/roster.

In addition I am a member of the RPSI and footplate fireman over here, I don't know if that helps any but I doubt my experience woukd carry at all.

Any advice would be appreciated as im very keen to stretch my legs and get more varied experience.

 

[Belfastmarty]

Would the DCDR at Downpatrick be an option ??

 

[sayhall]

Would the DCDR at Downpatrick be an option ??

Not at present they haven't been running steam for the last couple years. Im also looking something of a longer line, more than just a couple miles. Aka a challenge

 

[YorkshireBear]

Gaining and keeping the competence would be the main issue, but assume you have available Annual Leave/Time/Resources I would suggest somewhere that is easy for you to get to from Northern Island.

Where has regular Ryanair or other cheap flights, or near a ferry terminal to be able to reduce the cost and maximise the benefit of each trip.

Where offers free accommodation for volunteers?

 

[sayhall]

Gaining and keeping the competence would be the main issue, but assume you have available Annual Leave/Time/Resources I would suggest somewhere that is easy for you to get to from Northern Island.

Where has regular Ryanair or other cheap flights, or near a ferry terminal to be able to reduce the cost and maximise the benefit of each trip.

Where offers free accommodation for volunteers?

On that one if driving over via ferry its the ffestiniog. Which is an hour from holyhead has good cheap accommodation nearby. As you say the issue of getting over often enough is the problem and it not costing me an arm and a leg every trip. Plus being a railway thats very very popular. I fear progression would be slower and harder getting rostered days.