The Heritage sector relies on a volunteer workforce which requires constant refreshment and suitable training. Heritage railways provide a valuable service in both educating the public and providing wider employment in their local area. To operate as living museums, they require a skilled workforce capable of restoring, maintaining and operating historic artefacts The skills required are no longer mainstream and their preservation is essential if the sector is to survive and thrive.

We have a small group of skilled operatives who are willing and able to pass on their expertise to a new generation of volunteers but they also need to find new ways of solving the problems that arise with old technology - their further development is as essential as the task of training new entrants to the sector. Using the platform of a steam locomotive restoration, we are committed to preserving and developing mechanical engineering skills both for a new and existing volunteer workforce.