The Churnet Valley Railway at Froghall in Staffordshire is close to realising its 40 year dream of extending services to Leek so that trains can once again call at the Staffordshire market town for the first time since 1965.
 
Although the re-opening is so near, future services can only operate if there are enough people to operate them.
 
Its well-renowned friendly team of volunteers operates the Churnet Valley Railway's current train services, but whilst the railway does not presently run an intensive service, it expects this to increase with the extension to Leek.
 
The entire railway revolves around its volunteers, as it cannot run trains without them.
 
Whilst trains are the common factor, there is so much more to volunteering than driving trains.
 
The railway needs to be prepared for when services can operate through to Leek.
 
To prepare for this, it is inviting people to become involved within the Operations Department, which is the department that supplies the guards and crossing keepers for the railway.
 
It would like to hear from anyone who wishes to volunteer and has suitable past experience.
 
This could be through employment on the national network, or as a volunteer on other heritage railways.
 
Anyone who has more than 12 months of experience as a guard, or crossing keeper, and is interested in joining the Churnet Valley's team in operating Staffordshire's Premier heritage railway is invited to get in touch now.
 
Volunteers will need to pass a conversion course that will enable the railway to assess their experience and align them with its own rules.
 
For those with sufficient experience, this should be only a formality.
 
If you are interested, then please complete a Volunteer Enquiry form available on their website.
 
Include a short summary of your experience, and someone will respond to you as soon as possible and welcome you into the CVR's railway family.
 
The Churnet Valley offers over 10 miles of varied lineside, with the tranquil valley floor weaving alongside canal and river contrasting with the far-reaching moorlands on the steeply graded Cauldon Lowe branch.
 
The railway is always looking for volunteers for right across the railway.
 
Roger Smith.