Volunteering Opportunities with Ribble Steam Railway & Museum

About

Ribble Steam Railway’s origins can be traced back to Steamport Southport. The Southport Locomotive and Transport Museum Society was formed back in 1971 with a view of creating a museum to be based in the then derelict Southport Steam Shed, which was in a poor state of repair after it had been abandoned since its closure in 1966. Whilst negotiations took place progressed with British Rail, the society went about various fund raising activities, and began restoring essential services to the site. By 1973, an agreement had been reached with British Rail for a lease on the site, and the first locomotives, buses and other exhibits began arriving on site. At this point, the charity Steamport (Southport) Ltd, a company limited by guarantee and Registered Charity was established to administer the project. The site opened to the public on Spring Bank Holiday 1974, and continued to develop and operate for over twenty years on site, offering train rides on a short demonstration line, but featuring a number of authentic railway artefacts, such as a working signal box, water tower & turntable. As development in the area began to progress, the organisation wanted to be in charge of their own destiny, and in 1984, following significant fundraising, the site was purchased from British Rail. The shed had originally been built by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1890, so over 100 years later the building was proving difficult to maintain & provide a museum facility fitting for the era – and coupled with the short running line and limited extension opportunities, the charity began to look for a new home for the collection. If you would like to get more involved with our railway, please check out our volunteering page . Volunteering is a great way to build new skills and experience. A chance to share your existing talents, or to try something new in a supporting environment (training is given). It is an opportunity to give back to your community and to meet new friends and colleagues. We currently have volunteering positions in our Workshop, Front of House and Museum. We have all kinds of special projects happening, in the heart of Preston’s Dockland.