New guidance opens the door for more young volunteers across heritage rail and tramways

New guidance published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will make it easier for heritage railways and tramways to welcome young volunteers, providing greater clarity around opportunities for 14 to 16-year-olds to gain valuable experience in the sector.

The guidance follows a successful campaign led by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) to address outdated legislation that had unintentionally restricted volunteering opportunities for young people.

For the first time, heritage railways and tramways now have clear guidance on the types of activities that young volunteers can safely undertake, helping to remove uncertainty that has prevented many organisations from offering placements in recent years.

Appropriate tasks include supporting the preparation and cleaning of steam locomotives, assisting on station platforms and learning about the restoration and maintenance of rolling stock, all supported by suitable risk assessments.

Research by the Heritage Railway Association found that around half of the UK's heritage railways and tramways had been unable to offer volunteering opportunities to under-16s because of uncertainty surrounding historic legislation.

It is estimated that more than 1,500 young people may have missed the opportunity to begin their railway journey as a result. The publication of the guidance marks an important step forward in supporting the future workforce of both the heritage and wider rail sectors.

Many professionals working across today's railway first discovered their passion through volunteering on heritage railways and tramways, gaining practical experience and developing skills that have gone on to shape long-term careers in transport and engineering.

 "Volunteering has inspired generations of railway professionals so it's great to see guidance that will help more young people take those first steps."

- Dan Hill, Knowledge Manager, UKTram

The guidance follows changes to employment legislation introduced in late 2025, which required the ORR and HSE to produce practical advice for organisations supporting young volunteers. The Heritage Railway Association has welcomed the publication, describing it as a significant milestone for the sector that will help inspire and develop the next generation of volunteers and railway professionals.

The announcement aligns with UKTram's growing focus on future skills and workforce development, recognising the importance of creating pathways for young people to discover the variety of opportunities available across the light rail sector.

The full guidance on volunteering opportunities for young people aged 14 to 16 is available from the Office of Rail and Road, here.