Young volunteers supported to play their part in heritage railways following new safety guidance

Young volunteers supported to play their part in heritage railways following new safety guidance Wed, 22/07/2026 - 10:00 22 July 2026 The Office of Rail and Road has today published guidance designed to help heritage railway and tramway operators give young volunteers, aged from 14 to minimum school leaving age, the chance to learn new skills while making sure the right safeguards are in place. Cover Image Image Body Components Heritage railways rely heavily on volunteers and are often where young people first discover an interest in railways, engineering, customer service or heritage preservation. The publication makes clear that many activities can be suitable for young volunteers, provided operators properly assess the risks, provide the right supervision and training, and make sure tasks are appropriate for the young person’s age, maturity and physical capability. It also gives examples of activities young volunteers are likely to be able to undertake, with appropriate supervision and a suitable risk assessment. These include cleaning locomotives and taking water from ground level, as well as some station duties. Young volunteers may also be able to assist a competent adult wit