Full steam ahead to find new recruit

The job now waiting in the sidings at a North Yorkshire attraction is ready for the ideal applicant to drive it away at full steam.
The chance to drive away with a dream job at Newby Hall. Picture Charlotte Graham.The chance to drive away with a dream job at Newby Hall. Picture Charlotte Graham.
The chance to drive away with a dream job at Newby Hall. Picture Charlotte Graham.

A rare opportunity to drive miniature trains all day for a living is up for grabs at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

one of North Yorkshire’s most popular tourist attractions.

The successful applicant will drive three types of narrow-gauge railway engine – steam, battery and gas-powered – and be in charge of train, the 1.2km track and station maintenance.

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A spokesman said: “The job will be just the ticket for someone who loves being around people as around 50,000 passengers each year travel on Newby’s miniature railway.”

Lockdowns saw a renewed interest in model railways and hobbies with annual sales at toymaker Hornby increase by 28 per cent.

Stuart Gill, Operations Director at Newby Hall, said: “This is a chance to perhaps turn your hobby or childhood dream into a career, particularly if you feel your job aspirations have been shunted into the sidings.

“We need someone who has a real passion for trains and engineering, preferably with previous relevant experience, and they also need to be great at managing our team of amazing railway volunteers.”

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Another unusual part of the job will involve jets - not high-powered aeroplane but H2O!

As well as keeping the trains on time, the successful applicant will also be responsible for the upkeep of Newby Hall’s interactive Tarantella water fountain in the children’s play area.

Newby Hall is a William and Mary house located between Ripon and Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, built in the 1690s until the guidance of Christopher Wren. John Carr remodelled the house in the 18th century, with interiors by Robert Adam and furniture by Chippendale.

Owner Richard Compton is the 10th generation of his family to live at Newby.

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The House and Gardens are open to the public from April to September, attracting around 140,000 visitors each season.

More information on the train driver job, go to: www.newbyhall.com/jobs/train-driver-and-engineer

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