Get Involved
Your Roundhouse Needs YOU!
There are many ways in which you can support the Roundhouse.
Join the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society…
Anyone can become a member of the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society.
Membership benefits include:
- The Barrow Hill Magazine, full of news and railway stories, three times a year.
- Free entry during standard weekend opening hours.
- Discounted entry to the Roundhouse monthly social evenings.
- Volunteering opportunities.
To join the Society and play a part in our exciting adventure, simply download an application form below.
If you have any questions about membership or are unable to download the form please click here to send us an email.
Membership Rates
The rates below are applicable to residents of the UK only. We welcome interest from countries outside the UK. Please note that it is necessary to add a charge to the rates to cover additional postage costs.
Adult – £28.00
Junior – £10.00
Concession – £25.00
Family – £40.00
Life* – £350.00
Life (over 65)* – £250.00
*Life membership may be spread over 10 equal monthly instalments.
Become a Volunteer…
We are always looking for help. If you can spare the time we will be able to put it to good use.
The opportunities for volunteering at Barrow Hill are varied and include the maintenance, repair and rebuild of our rolling stock, assisting in general maintenance and housekeeping at the Roundhouse, working in the Shop, dealing with weekend admissions and helping visitors, and working in the Café assisting with clearing and tidying. Volunteers are also encouraged to assist with stewarding and car park marshalling at our events (Open Days, Galas and Special Events), archive work and school visits.
The Roundhouse is not an operational railway and trains only run during certain events for which volunteers may be trained and assessed to carry out Safety Critical (SC) roles including permanent way (trackside) work, signalling, points operation, passenger train guards and platform dispatchers. We are not able to offer footplate/driver opportunities.
The majority of voluntary work is undertaken on Saturdays and Sundays (10am to 4pm), when the Roundhouse is also open to the public. However, some of the special events and galas take place outside these days and times and there may also be opportunities for voluntary work during the week dependent upon the type of work being undertaken.
Please note that a requirement of volunteering is to become a Member of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society in order to comply with our insurance requirements.
For more information please email: volunteers@barrowhill.org
Work Experience & Placements
School work experience
At Barrow Hill Roundhouse we offer opportunities for young people to gain experience of working at a unique heritage site.
Roles range from engineering placements with our partner businesses on site to heritage education and learning.
We can only offer places to a limited number of students each year so please contact us as early as possible to confirm your place.
University and college work placements
With the rise in demand for work placements as part of your course, we can be flexible to your needs. We are always interested in engaging students in small projects which can contribute to your course as well as providing a beneficial outcome for us.
As a public heritage site, we are always keen to gain student contributions in a range of departments including but not limited to:
- Education
- Marketing
- Museum studies
- Graphic design
- Digital media
- Events
- Catering
Volunteering
We can also offer opportunities for young people wanting to gain experience at a working site to volunteer and build their CV.
Please contact us if you are interested in doing so.
For more information about work experience and placements, email our Learning Team at: