DEAN Forest Railway Society has launched an appeal to find skilled volunteers to assist with “major” upcoming projects after returning to a full timetable of events last month.

One year on from the restoration of its “momentous” colliery wagon in Parkend, the heritage railway society is looking for local people to join the team in completing a range of projects, including the restoration of trains, platforms and footbridges.

The railway is operated almost entirely by volunteers, who, along with working members of the society, are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of infrastructure, performing customer-facing roles at stations as well as on-board and firing and driving the trains themselves.

Last summer, the railway’s ‘Wagoneers’ group rebuilt and installed the Parkend Colliery wagon opposite the station in the village as a momento to the railway’s origins on a short length of track in 1971.

A combination of woodworking, metalwork and engineering skills returned the wagon to life, which the society says “so epitomises the Royal Forest’s industrial history.”

Wayne Crowley, the railway’s volunteering coordinator, said: “Our ‘Orange Army’ between them commission the Parkend Signal Box, install new sidings, relay running track, build the new Parkend Shelter, paint station buildings, restore, maintain and repair locomotives and rolling stock, lay the new platform surface and install lighting at Lydney Junction and restore footbridges.

“With some major projects on the close horizon we will welcome and have roles for everyone - from people who already have relevant skills and trades, to those with enthusiasm and commitment to learn - there’s a role for everyone, male, female, young, old, at the Dean Forest Railway.”

As well as the Wagoneers, volunteers with the society are divided into various groups including the Signal and Telegraph Group, Dean Forest Locomotive Group and Dean Forest Diesel Association, in addition to customer-facing roles in the shop, museum and Whistles Café, firing and driving trains, and working as crossing-keepers, guards, signallers and platform staff.

Alastair Clarke, chair of the society’s board of trustees and the company’s director of operations, said: “We are now operating our full timetable and coping very well with the social restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.

“Everybody is so pleased to be back running trains for our visitors. Apart from celebrating the industrial history of the Royal Forest - and the Severn and Wye Railway - it’s why we exist!

“If you’d like to join us and help run the railway in any role, please email Wayne Crowley on [email protected].”