If you've ever wanted to drive a steam train, now is your chance.
 
Dean Forest Railway is looking for volunteers and driving a locomotive is a "real possibility."
 
Prospective volunteers are hoped will turn up at the railway's open day on Saturday, 6 May 2017.
 
"It must be every childhood dream to be a steam train driver but that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to running a working steam railway." Said Dean Forest Railway Chairman, Stuart Williams.
 
"Driving a steam locomotive is a real possibility for volunteers, after working through an extensive training scheme, but you'll need to get up early! We're looking for volunteers in all departments right across the board, not just at our main Norchard station near Lydney, but also at all of the five stations that we operate between Parkend and Lydney Junction. That could be anything from ticket collectors to guards and signalmen or working behind the scenes with our engineers, repairing and restoring our trains and carriages and maintaining the tracks. We also need help in our retail and catering outlets, and to assist in general fund raising and other commercial activities. If you're enthusiastic and have skills we can use we'll find a role for you, however much, or however little time you have to spare."
 
The Dean Forest Railway new volunteer's open day is on Saturday 6 May 2017 from 10:00 at Norchard station near Lydney so you can find out more about what's available, have a look around, and meet some of the team.
 
Lunch will be provided so please let Dean Forest Railway know in advance if you'll be going along.
 
David Shepherd.