No Experience Required
Volunteers can learn alongside experienced members, with tasks allocated according to ability, confidence and site requirements.
Volunteering
Get Involved
Volunteer with the Class 58 Locomotive Group
Help preserve the history and engineering heritage of one of British Rail’s most distinctive heavy freight locomotive classes through the Group’s spare cabs, archives and activities.
The Class 58 Locomotive Group welcomes people who would like to give their time, learn practical skills and help protect the Class 58 story for future generations.
The Group’s two surviving spare cab shells provide a direct and unusual opportunity for volunteers to become involved in practical railway preservation. These cabs were built at BREL Doncaster as contingency replacements for the locomotive fleet but were never required during regular service.
Group membership offers ways to contribute to the spare cabs, events, archives and publications. It does not provide opportunities to work on independently owned Class 58 locomotives.
You do not need to be an experienced railway engineer. Many useful jobs require patience, enthusiasm and a willingness to work safely as part of a team. Guidance will be provided by experienced Group members and, where applicable, the host site.
Practical Heritage Skills
Gain experience in cab conservation, preparation, painting, documentation and the care of historic railway artefacts.
Keep the Class 58 Story Alive
Help care for the Group’s spare cabs, share knowledge and preserve records of the class for future generations.
Where Volunteers Can Help
The work available will vary according to the Group’s projects, location, access arrangements and the requirements of the host site.
The Two Spare Class 58 Cabs
The Class 58 Locomotive Group owns both surviving spare cab shells built at BREL Doncaster. Volunteers can help protect, restore, complete and interpret these unusual survivors through organised Group working parties.
Heritage Displays and Interpretation
Help tell the Class 58 story through displays, photographs, written material and interpretation of the Group’s spare cabs and collection.
Activities are arranged by the Group, with the agreement of the host site where required.
Events and Sales Stands
Volunteers are needed to help at diesel galas, exhibitions and heritage events. Tasks may include setting up the stand, speaking to visitors, selling merchandise and promoting Group membership.
Research and Behind-the-Scenes Support
Assistance with historical research, photography, archives, publications, website content, administration and fundraising can be just as valuable as practical engineering work.
Membership and Group Volunteering
Membership of the Class 58 Locomotive Group provides the principal route through which supporters can become involved in organised practical activities.
Practical volunteering is focused on the Group’s two spare cab shells. Members can also help at events and sales stands, contribute to publications or assist with archives and administration.
Activities depend on the Group’s work programme, suitable tasks, available supervision and the host site’s safety and access requirements. Please contact us before attending.
Typical Cab and Group Tasks
Cab work will depend on the condition of each cab, the work programme and the skills available on the day. Cab and wider Group tasks may include:
- Cleaning, preparation and general housekeeping around restoration areas.
- Removing loose paint, treating corrosion and preparing surfaces.
- Repainting cab components, panels and other suitable equipment.
- Identifying, cleaning, repairing or replacing suitable parts.
- Helping with routine inspection and care of the Group’s spare cabs.
- Photographing and recording restoration progress.
- Sorting drawings, documents, photographs and historical material.
- Helping at events, exhibitions and Group sales stands.
Upcoming Volunteer Working Parties
Confirmed working parties, practical volunteering days and other Group volunteer opportunities will be listed here. Places may be limited and attendance must always be agreed in advance.
More Group volunteer dates will be added here
We will update this section whenever further working parties or volunteer opportunities are confirmed. If no dates are currently displayed above, no public or member volunteering sessions have yet been formally arranged.
What You Can Gain
Volunteering offers an opportunity to learn about British diesel locomotive engineering, restoration methods and the practical challenges involved in caring for historic railway equipment.
It can also provide useful hands-on experience, introduce you to other enthusiasts and allow you to contribute to the care of the spare cabs and the preservation of Class 58 history.
Some tasks are physical, while others are better suited to people who prefer research, organisation, photography, writing or meeting the public. The Group aims to match volunteers with appropriate and useful activities wherever possible.
Everyone Is Welcome
Whether you have engineering experience, practical skills, historical knowledge or simply enthusiasm for the Class 58, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Access and Safety
Access to the Cabs and Host Sites
Access to the Group’s cabs, work areas and host railway sites must be agreed in advance with the Group and the host site. Membership does not provide access to independently owned locomotives.
All visits and volunteering activities must comply with the host railway’s rules, operating procedures, induction requirements, personal protective equipment requirements, safety arrangements and insurance provisions. These requirements may differ between sites and activities.
Access cannot be guaranteed and may be restricted, amended or withdrawn at short notice because of operational requirements, engineering work, weather, safety considerations, insurance restrictions or other circumstances beyond the Group’s control.
Volunteers, members, supporters and visitors must not attend a working site without a confirmed arrangement. Please contact the Group before making travel plans to obtain the latest information about available activities, locations and participation requirements.