The 'Rangers' as they are known, welcomes boys and girls from ages 12 to 16 who want to have fun, whilst learning about all the intricacies of railways.
From the age of 12 you can take advantage of the supervised days (generally saturdays and holidays) at Ropley yard, where you can take part in cleaning and preparation of the locomotives, restoration tasks on locomotives that are under-overhaul, and generally having a good time with many like minded people.
We have a friendly base of rangers who regularly visit the railway of a weekend, helping with all the various tasks assigned to the Rangers (generally the muckiest and best fun). After reaching the age of 16 you will be able to move onto the footplate crew, so in essence the Rangers is the first step on the ladder to becoming the driver of a Steam Locomotive.
The necessary documentation (which your parents have to sign) can be downloaded here, along with our code of safe conduct which we ask you to read carefully.
To request more information, or to join please follow this link to contact us, and select the volunteering option.
We look forward to working with you soon.
2012 INTRODUCTION DATES
Sunday 8 January at 09.30am
Sunday 22 April
Sunday 8 July
Sunday 21 October
These meetings are held at Alresford in the Goods Shed (Upstairs). Times are TBC, please check Latest News for announcements. A presentation on what its like to be a Ranger will then be followed by a trip by steam train to Ropley to have a look around the shed as well as meet the gang!
'Working on the Mid Hants is great fun, you get to work with some great people while working on these ‘iron horses’. I would recommend it to anyone. Starting as a Ranger is one of the best ways to learn about how a steam loco works as your in and out of fireboxes and smoke boxes, cleaning the engines inside out and at the end of it there also a chance of being invited on to the footplate for a ride around the yard. Then of course there’s all the friendly arguments in the mess room at lunch over which is the best loco on the line or which big 4 company was the best, the list goes on!! So come on and join us at Ropley loco dept and join in preserving our industrial heritage while having a great time!' Tom Homewood - Former Ranger