Membership

Members can enjoy

*Free admission to our site on Train Days and visiting main line steam/diesel locomotives.

*A copy of our magazine "The Turntable" published three times a year to keep you up to date with developments and other news..

*The opportunity to join any of our working parties and help improve the facilities.

*Ability to stand for election as a Trustee of the Charity.

Membership £20 a year along with family and junior options. 

To become a member or join our team of volunteers please get in touch or apply in our shop

Yeovil Railway Center is solely made up of Volunteers, we don't all have a background in engineering or railways. Most of our volunteers join to learn new skills, stay active or to enjoy our sociable group preserving local history. We have volunteers of all ages over 16, including a number of Female and Male Volunteers.

Meet a few volunteers

Paul

My name is Paul Gould and somehow I ended up as Chairman of Yeovil Railway Centre That means that I get to do some of the jobs that somehow are left undone!

From an early age, I always had an interest in railways and can just remember steam in daily use with an Ian Allen train spotting book confirming which engines had been seen.

My career was in banking and just after the original group was set up in 1994 to preserve the turntable at Yeovil Junction, I turned up to see what was going on and volunteered. Later I became Company Secretary and joined as a Trustee.

Initially three or four hours hands on work on a Sunday which has now grown, after retirement, into a passion or obsession whichever way you look at it! Life is not boring - we have more ups than downs and coming to site is a time to look forward to.

We have a great group of volunteers who often go well beyond the call of duty to get a job done.

William

Hello I am William one of the volunteers at Yeovil Railway Centre. I have been volunteering for over 12 years learning a range of skills from mechanical engineering through to working on the electronics of the Chard Junction Signal panel. I also look after the locomotive Cockney Rebel. It's not just engineering but a great social group of a wide range of ages and backgrounds. All skills are welcome, from videography to gardening and catering it's not just driving trains.

Andy

Hello, I am Andy, another volunteer at Yeovil Railway Centre. I have been volunteering at Yeovil Railway Centre on and off for about 30 year. I volunteer simply because for the love of steam. I am also one the trustees for the railway centre. Now being responsible for the digital media team. Along with helping co-ordinate events especially Santa specials and Halloween. Yes, Yeovil Railway Centre takes up a lot of my spare time, but it is worth it. It is not all about trains there is also the social aspect of the railway centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need engineering experience? no we have a range of roles from our shop and cafe thought to gardening and site maintenance. Many of our younger volunteers have used there time to learn engineering skills.
• Is it just for old men? We take volunteers age 16 and over and will work with them based on their skills and interest to help find suitable roles/tasks.
• I don't have time?   Although we mostly meet on Tuesdays and Sundays we have a range of working parties. A number of our volunteers are retired but we have many who work full and part time while volunteering. Some roles such as our media team mostly work remotely as well to help support YRC. 
• Is it expensive?  On top of membership starting at £20 a year we ask depending on role volunteers bring there own safety boots, gloves and overalls/work clothes. Additional PPE such as hard hats and safety goggles is made available when required on site.
• I want to volunteer but I am only 14?  Please speak with us as it may be possible to attend site under supervision from a parent/guardian but generally will need to be over the age of 16  or 18 for safety critical roles 
• Can I drive a train on my first day? Unfortunately not we will provide in house Personal Track Safety (PTS) then by gaining operational experience over time though our internal competency schemes you will qualify as guard, engine driver or fireman. Previous experience on other railways will be taken into consideration.    

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Memberships run to 31 December

* Please ask for a separate Junior Membership Application Form.
% 2 Adults and 2 Children aged 5-15.
$ Also covers membership for following calendar year.

An extra donation is invited, minimum £2.50 requested.

NOTES
1. New members are automatically given Associate Membership. Associate Members have the same rights as Full Members except they cannot vote at Company Meetings.Associate Members can apply to the Trustees to become Full Members after one full year of membership. This is not an automatic process.
2. Associate Corporate Membership is available on request from £50 + VAT per annum.
3. All memberships are renewable on 1st January of the year after joining.
4. Members must abide by the rules of the Company, instructions given by Trustees and Officials, and must not trespass on Network Rail property.
5. The Trustees may suspend or terminate membership in any circumstances they deem to be advisable to protect the Company. The Trustees decision is final.
6. In the event of Winding Up, Members undertake to pay a sum of £10 maximum if required.
 

How to join us

Apply online for membership

Complete our Online membership form or call in to our shop for a physical form,  

Alternatively please use our contact form or email to recive a printable PDF form.