How You Can Join the Railroad
Walkersville Southern has many volunteer positions
available for the railroad enthusiast. There are volunteer jobs for all skill levels--heavy
jobs and light jobs, office jobs or outdoor jobs. To inquire about a volunteer job at the railroad,
call 1-877-363-WSRR and let us know you'd like to help, or come to the railroad and see what it's
all about for yourself. You'll meet a great bunch of people.
We have about 45 or 50 volunteers, some of whom come only once or twice a year, some every week.
The average age of our
volunteers is about 50, but anyone age 18 and up can volunteer. There is a place for everyone . . .
young and old, men and women. Over the course of time, you'll receive training, and your
responsibilities and duties can grow as big as you like.
Jobs on the train operating crew at WSRR include the following:
Engineer - Operates the train, of course, and is responsible for the day's operations.
Fireman - Rides in the cab on southbound excursions and watches the left side of the train. Rides
on the back of the train northbound serving as the eyes and ears of the engineer as the train backs
up toward back to the station. Assists in operating switches and coupling cars.
Conductor - Takes tickets, makes sure passengers are safely seated and comfortable, and guides the
tour on the passenger cars. Answers questions about the railroad.
Brakeman - Rides on the back of the train southbound announcing grade crossings for the benefit of
the flagger who needs to know where the train is. Assists in operating switches and coupling cars.
Flagger - Drives to each crossing and protects the train as it crosses grade crossings. Must have a
driver's license, a car, and must be 18.
Generally, employees begin operating crew training as apprentice brakemen for a short time, and then become brakemen.
After a year as brakeman, a person is eligible for fireman training. Two years of fireman training
make you eligible for engineer training. If you have experience on some other railroad, you will
most likely bypass some of these requirements.
Operating crewmen are also required to undergo annual FRA-mandated training and testing, since our
railroad is under the jurisdiction of the FRA.
There are many other areas of the railroad's operations where assistance is needed, such as:
Stationmaster - Sells tickets and/or souvenirs on an as-needed basis.
Radioman - Knows radios, intercoms, sound systems, etc. Can design, operate, install, and train
novices to use this equipment. A plus, but certainly not a requirement, for this position is a
valid Amateur Radio license.
Photographers - Takes our publicity photos for our brochure and web page.
Railroad Historians - Catalogs, researches, and displays all our "old junk."
Trackmen - A heavy job but a great way to stay fit. If you like outdoor work, this is the job for
you! Install ties, run track machines, etc.
Mechanics - Keeps the train and track machines running.
Electricians - Keeps up all the headlights, crossing lights (again, when we get them), and all
other lights and appliances.
Carpenters - Keeps the station and outbuildings shipshape.
Painters - Paints buildings and rolling stock.
If none of the above jobs suits you, c'mon down to the railroad on any excursion day, let us know
what you would like to do, and we'll try to design a job for you. The bottom line is . . . GET
INVOLVED!!!
Walkersville Southern needs you, and you'll have great fun.