I've finally volunteered.....

[evilatco]

Hi guys,

I've finally taken the plunge and volunteered on the RH&DR. Did my first day a few weeks ago and spent the day out at Greatstone cutting back trees and vegetation with the team. I really enjoyed it... despite being freezing cold, wet and shattered at the end of the day Am in again tomorrow (19th Jan) and again about 4 times between now and the end of Feb.

If any of you work on the RH&DR then do come over and say hi... I am the new guy with the very very bright orange jacket (always a giveaway).. Would love to meet you all

And Tim.... It's all your fault.... Thanks for a fantastic Driving Experience Day... I enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to get involved

I'm hoping to add to the fantastic collection of photos that already exists on the web, so feel free to check out my gallery at http://www.halophoto.co.uk and leave comments

Maybe see you soon

[JSReeves86]

Hi And welcome, both to the forums and to the mad world of the romney!!

Having been a volunteer and seasonal member of staff for around 5 years now i can honestly say you will not regret it. even if it is cold down at Dungeness this time of year.

I probably wont meet you for a while as i can only be down the railway for a limited time during the winter during the break from uni and its a long way to travel from Sheffield.

All the best

JR

http://www.jrsrailwayphotography.fotopic.net

[evilatco]

Hi JR, and thanks for the welcome

I will look forward to meeting you when you next make it down. I have committed to doing at least one day on every set of my days off (I work 6 on and 4 off) so I tend to be around at all sorts of unusual times. So far everybody I have met has been really nice and welcoming and I'm really enjoying getting stuck in

I really like your photos and I hope to add to the growing collection on the net. The more there are out there, the more publicity the railway gets

http://www.halophoto.co.uk

[timbgray64]

And Tim.... It's all your fault....

Nothing new then, as whatever happens it always seems to be my fault

Glad you enjoyed the driver-ex, and i can confirm that they are addictive, i did mine in November 2000 and now i drive nearly 3000 miles on Romney loco's each year.

Must add i have a very understanding wife!!

see you at the Romney again soon

Tim

[evilatco]

I have to admit... I'm pretty lucky having an understanding wife as well... She was also partially responsible but even weirder than that is that she actively encourages it I think she knows how much I am really enjoying it.

I am down again on Thur Feb 8th and then Sat Feb 17th and might sneak down on a service day to get some more photos for the website as well.

I must say... I am really impressed not only by the total professionalism of everybody there, but also by how friendly everybody is I wish I could do more of it but unfortunately the stresses of my regular day job make this a bit tricky.

Tim.... If you fancy a visit to the tower sometime then let me know... Don't be scared of rekindling your love of flying

http://www.halophoto.co.uk

[evilatco]

I meant to ask as well......

Have you guys got any hints and tips for me?

I seem to be strangely enjoying cleaning carriages and cutting back trees and vegetation lineside

[allypally]

Summat weird about volunteering - my railway is a bit bigger stock wise but smaller route mile wise, and working on the station, I still find myself enjoying it, despite getting stuck into such foul tasks as toilet cleaning. It's incredibly rewarding to see a result to the work.

[timbgray64]

Tim.... If you fancy a visit to the tower sometime then let me know... Don't be scared of rekindling your love of flying

Thanks for that, I may just have to take you up on that offer, although the PPL is not going to see the light of day again, the wife would kill me for sure

I should be at Romney on the 17th Feb, so maybe see you then

Tim

[timbgray64]

Tim.... If you fancy a visit to the tower sometime then let me know... Don't be scared of rekindling your love of flying

http://www.halophoto.co.uk

Thanks Mark for the trip to the new heathrow tower yesterday, words cannot describe how amazing it was, once again many thanks

Tim

[evilatco]

My pleasure

You can come and visit anytime!!

For the rest of you... Don't forget...

RH&DR 80th Anniversary weekend this Saturday and Sunday. Everything serviceable will be out running and there will be lots going on at every station. Don't miss it.. It's going to be a H U G E ! ! ! !

[daniel533]

For the rest of you... Don't forget...

RH&DR 80th Anniversary weekend this Saturday and Sunday. Everything serviceable will be out running and there will be lots going on at every station. Don't miss it.. It's going to be a H U G E ! ! ! !

I for one will not be missing it, i will be going saturday and maybe sunday if i can persuade my mum to take me.

Daniel

[timbgray64]

I for one will not be missing it

Me neither, i'm turn 1 on saturday and as far as i know i should be on sammy

[evilatco]

I will be there on Sunday and in full-on photography mode I'm planning on starting at Hythe and covering the entire line to capture everything that will be happening.

It's just a shame that I will be straight of a night shift on Sunday morning and can't actually participate as a staff member

[JSReeves86]

Well im the Bar Car attendent both days, good way to see everything going on.

As each station has a diffent era and some of the staff are in period costume i think the Bar Car is going to be a TARDIS for the weekend.

Also there are to be cardboard tickets issused this weekend so those collectors out there, for one weekend only you have a chance to add some to your collection.

JR

[JSReeves86]

Well for anyone interested i have added a few photos from the 80th weekend i managed to snap on my phone to my Fotopic site:

http://www.jrsrailwayphotography.fotopi ... 95984.html

JR