Young Members Group day 28 August 2010

Young Members Group running the railway...

One day a year, the Young Members Group take over the railway and most jobs, including the Controller, Blockmen, Guards and Drivers were covered by our qualified younger volunteers.

They were kept very busy by an intensive timetable, with extra trains running including the 'diesel driver for a fiver' running between Wharf and Pendre, engineering train Footplate Experiences between Wharf and Brynglas as well as manning the regular passenger trains. There were also free steam engine rides at Wharf and a Wharf - Pendre shuttle for works tours, hauled by a spotless looking 'Alf'.

One volunteer, Christina, got an extra special 18th birthday surprise as her friends clubbed together to buy her a footplate driver experience. She was a bit shocked to find out on arriving at Wharf that she'd be driving the engine! Also seen on the driver experience was YMG President Phil Sayers, who hadn't driven a steam engine since the 1960s and fancied a go.

There was also an excellent display on Wharf platform informing people what the YMG do and explaining the various jobs you can volunteer for on the railway. The young members not involved with running trains held a working party at Wharf, continuing the work achieved so far on smartening the station up.

Well done to the YMG Committee for arranging a very successful and entertaining day!

Photos by Marc Smith, Matt Peat and K Willans