Middleton Railway’s youth team

During these challenging times it has been important for the Middleton Railway to continue at the centre of the community, opening to the public with new COVID precautions in place as well as providing a safe environment for volunteers to continue their valuable work maintaining and running the railway.

Amongst all of this, one project has been particularly important to keep going, the Middleton Railway Youth Team. The scheme started in 2017 with a growing demand for opportunities available to under-18s. Since then the group has had a wide variety of members, some from the immediate area but many from further afield including North Derbyshire and Lancashire.

Sisters Ellen and Ailsa Sayles assisting with track work at Moor Road

Members receive a preliminary safety induction, follow a structured programme of training and supervised activities while also receiving opportunities to qualify in a range of roles as they reach the appropriate age.

Tasks are recorded in a log book and several of the Youth Team have gone on to apprenticeships and degrees connected to what they have learnt with us. Tasks include restoration of locomotives and rolling stock, lineside clearance, routine maintenance of the trains and even learning to operate them.

Those involved take great pride in their work and will doubtless be involved in the future of the Middleton Railway for many years to come.

 

This post was written by John Linkins

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