Becoming a Volunteer Crewmember

We would like to invite you to become a volunteer at the Roosevelt Railroad. Your donation of time will help preserve railroad heritage while making this a better place for our visitors.

 The Roosevelt Railroad is one of the greatest places in the world for railfans; you can literally "get your hands dirty" with Railroad activities on Railroad property, for a good cause, and be able to do it legally, and at your own pace. Volunteers just like you handle the vast majority of work at the Roosevelt Railroad, including restoring and operating equipment, maintaining track, helping with tickets and concessions, maintaining the buildings and grounds, assisting with new projects and handling virtually every other task necessary for a fun and successful operation. We welcome you to try some different volunteer activities, and have fun doing it!

We hope that if you would like to volunteer with us as a crewmember, that you will continue to work with us for years to come. We especially want you to be safe while working, and to help us ensure the safety of all of our visitors and volunteers. If you encounter any safety problem at the Railroad, please let us know about it so that corrective measures can be taken.

The information here is only general in nature, and is not intended to cover every circumstance or question. If you have questions after reading this, please ask any senior crewmember for further details. The following is intended to help you decide if you are right for the Roosevelt Railroad, and if we are right for you.

 We hope that if you decide to volunteer at the Roosevelt Railroad, that you will enjoy your work, and receive the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts have made a positive difference in preserving our railroad heritage, and helping the railroad continue to grow.

Volunteer Crewmember Requirements

Volunteer Crewmembers must be at least age 18. All volunteers must sign a waiver of liability before commencing work. We do not discriminate, we gladly accept volunteers of any race, religon, and sex. -Yes, women can help put in crossties, and men can sell concessions if you want to!

Volunteer Crewmembers need no prior experience in railroading, machine operation, acting, business, or other related areas, we are happy to instruct and allow Crewmembers to learn while working. Of course, we value experience and would like to learn from you as well.

Generally, there are no physical requirements for volunteer work at the Railroad, and volunteers with physical limitations are also welcome. However, some of our work can be physically demanding. If you have any doubt as to whether you can safely perform a task, please ask for help. You will not be expected to overexert yourself or work to the point of exhaustion or injury. We are there to enjoy ourselves, and help maintain and restore the Railroad.

Train Operations Crewmembers must be in generally good health, with the ability to communicate verbally, to give and receive visual and audible signals, and to physically operate the equipment for obvious reasons. Safety is of the utmost importance to us....

Safety

SAFETY FIRST! FOLLOW THE SAFEST COURSE AT ALL TIMES!
If you have any doubts about how to safely perform a job or use any equipment, please ask a senior volunteer for assistance before proceeding.

Safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots are required when performing certian tasks and working around certian machinery and/or moving equipment. Crewmembers should use hearing protection and proper dust masks or respirators when appropriate. Additional personal protective equipment may be required for some tasks, such as welding.

Be aware of the specific hazards of any rolling stock or equipment in use, such as electrical cables, oil leaks and spills, flammable liquids and moving components. Crewmembers should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest fire extinguishers, sand, first aid kits, and emergency exits for each work area. Work areas should be kept clean and free of debris and tripping hazards, and safely dispose of all refuse and scrap promptly. If necessary for the safety of others, rope off or barricade any work or storage areas which might otherwise present a hazard.

As you move around the property, please set an example for others. Remember to stop, look, and listen before crossing tracks, because trains may move at any time on any track in either direction. Do not step or walk on rails, which may be slippery. Keep watch for and remove any debris or tripping hazards along the tracks and in public access areas.

If you observe a potentially dangerous condition on a train or one that is likely to affect its operation, immediately advise the operating personnel (flagging them to a stop if necessary).

All injuries to visitors (even if minor) must be reported immediately to the Director of Operations, who will contact the appropriate emergency response units if necessary. Injuries to Crewmembers requiring medical treatment must also be reported. In either instance, a written injury report is required.

General Rules Of Conduct

Crewmembers are entrusted with the operation of the Railroad and the safety of themselves and others, and must conduct themselves accordingly at all times.

Crewmembers must be responsive to the directions of senior crewmembers, and must treat each other and our visitors with respect and courtesy. Any discourtesy to our visitors, failure to comply with safety or operating rules, refusal to cooperate with other volunteers, or inappropriate conduct may be cause for dismissal. 

Alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs are prohibited. Possession of or working under the influence of such substances is a serious offense, and can be grounds for suspension or revocation of crewmember status. Operating personnel are additionally prohibited from the use of any drug, alcohol, intoxicant, or controlled substance during the eight hour period prior to reporting for duty.

Smoking is prohibited at the stations, near the engines, passenger cars, in shop areas, and anywhere an ignition source may present an undue hazard.

Vehicles

 Unless your duties require ready access to your vehicle (for example, to retrieve tools and equipment), please use the public parking lot.

No vehicles may be operated on Railroad grounds in an unsafe manner. Trains have the absolute right-of-way over all motor vehicles. All vehicles must stop at grade crossings. Never park any vehicle on the Railroad tracks unless it is absolutely necessary for a specific task, and then it should be promptly removed. The only exception is a Hy-Rail vehicle with proper authority to occupy the tracks.

Appearance

Always use good judgment in your appearance, as our visitors may base their opinions of our operations on the people they see working here. First impressions do count!

Train operating crews should try to wear railroad-style clothing. Other Crewmembers should wear clothing appropriate to their tasks; that may include overalls, coveralls, work clothes, jeans, etc. All clothing should be reasonably clean and in good repair.

Clothing with confrontational slogans or logos, excessively greasy or torn clothing, shorts, or other inappropriate attire should be avoided. Our volunteers are part of the historic "scene" at the Railroad, and should look like railroaders to our visitors.

Crewmembers should avoid wearing clothing which might prove offensive to visitors or other members. This includes shirts or jackets with racist, sexist, or obscene slogans or pictures, or similar apparel.

 Name tags and ID's will be provided soon to all Crewmembers/Volunteers.

Children

We recognize that it may sometimes be necessary to bring your children along when you are working at the Railroad. For their own safety and welfare, however, the Roosevelt Railroad has regulations which must be followed;

Children under the age of 18 years must be under the direct and immediate control of a designated responsible adult at all times while on the premises. Leaving children to play on their own in any area of the Railroad is not sufficient; they must be within your sight and under your direct control at all times.

Any volunteer who brings a child under 18 onto the premises thereby consents and agrees to assume all liability for any injuries or damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the child's presence, and further agrees to protect, indemnify, and defend the Railroad against all claims arising from the child's presence.

We want your children to enjoy their visits to the Railroad, and be a part of it as well. Please help us keep those visits safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Dealing With Visitors

Even if you work behind the scenes, you will still encounter members of the public from time to time. Please remember that your attitude and conduct toward our visitors can make the difference in whether they have a safe and enjoyable visit, or an unpleasant experience which may harm the Railroad.

If you see a visitor in imminent danger, take immediate action. For example, shout a warning to a person on a track with a train approaching; if they do not respond, take necessary steps (including flagging the train to a stop or pulling the visitor out of danger if possible) to protect them. Remember, most of our visitors have never been close to a moving train, and have little concept of how difficult it is to stop quickly.

Visitors engaged in potentially hazardous activities, such as reaching under or into equipment or climbing on equipment that is not open to the public, should be requested to stop. Politely explain the potential hazard. If the visitor persists despite such cautions, contact a senior crewmember for assistance.

Direct visitors away from work areas which may present a hazard. For example, if an outdoor project involves grinding, sandblasting, paint removal, or emission of steam or compressed air, keep visitors back a safe distance. If visitors are found outside of authorized public areas or in closed display without permission, kindly escort them back to a safe area.

When visitors are found performing unsafe acts, use the opportunity to educate them, not to berate them for their actions. For example, tell children walking on rails that "real railroaders" don't do that because there might be some grease or oil that could cause a fall. Similarly, persons climbing on equipment should be told politely that it is unsafe to do so.

Try to answer all questions as completely and accurately as possible. If you do not know the answer, offer to assist the visitor in locating someone who does. Remember that most of our visitors know very little about railroads but want to learn more. If you take the opportunity to help them, they will get a much more favorable impression of our operation.

Unusual Events

In the event of a derailment, visitor injury, or other unusual incident, calmly lend assistance as necessary or as directed. Take all necessary steps to protect the safety and welfare of our visitors and Crewmembers. Do not speak to the media or anyone else about any incidents, refer inquiries to the Director of Operations. A misinterpretation or distortion of facts can be very harming to any operation.

Promoting The Railroad

Our Crewmembers are our greatest asset in public relations. Sharing your enthusiasm about the Railroad's activities is the best possible promotion.

Crewmwmbwrs should use every opportunity in your contacts with our visitors to act as a goodwill ambassador for the Railroad. If you help them by answering questions or providing directions or information, they will be more likely to have an enjoyable experience and to return for another visit or make a donation. Walking near a display with visitors and describing the history of a piece of equipment is helping to educate people!

Most of our visitors will not know that we are not supported by public funding, let them know! When appropriate, explain the benefits of the opportunity to volunteer, and mention that applications are available at the ticket booth, or online. If visitors are interested in volunteering or donating funds or materials, try to introduce them to a Senior Crewmember or the Director of Operations.

Feel free to hand out flyers to friends, co-workers, neighbors, and others who might be interested, and tell them about your own experience at the Railroad. We have found that we are an "Unknown Railroad," with many first-time visitors having never heard of us until recently, so please help get the word out! Small quantities of our brochures are available. If you need larger quantities, please speak with the Director of Operations to make the necessary arrangements.

From time to time, members of the press may be at the Railroad in connection with stories on our work and activities. Please be responsible and only answer questions that you know the correct answer to. Please look out for the reputation and credibility of the Railroad and it's members.

 We sincerely hope you consider becoming a volunteer crewmember at the Roosevelt Railroad. Thank you for your interest!