A railway preservation club for young steam train enthusiasts, the 9F club meets monthly at the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex and attracts members from throughout the South East.
The Bluebell Railway
The Bluebell Railway opened in 1960 as the first preserved standard gauge passenger line in the world (Bluebell Railway website). The railway quickly acquired a number of old steam locomotives destined for scrap, and was immortalised in the much-loved Thomas the Tank Engine series by Rev W Awdry.
Today the Railway runs steam services daily along a 9 mile section of track, and work is well underway to extend the line to East Grinstead, finally linking to National Rail services. The Bluebell Railway has the UK’s largest collection of locomotives from the former Southern Railway. Visitors can view many of these locomotives at Sheffield Park Station, as well as viewing heritage coaches and wagons in the Carriage Shed at Horsted Keynes.
Membership of the 9F club
Junior members of the Bluebell Railway are invited to apply to be members of the 9F club for young volunteers. Annual membership of the club costs £7 for the 2011 season, and members are entitled to discounted travel on the railway, quarterly copies of the Bluebell Railway magazine, and of course to attend the monthly working visits.
Members are also issued with club badges and hats to wear during the volunteer sessions but they will need to provide their own overalls and steel-toe-capped boots to work on the railway. There is currently a waiting list to join the club.
A typical 9F club meeting
9F club meetings take place on either a Saturday or Sunday each month from March to November. Members must book onto each session they wish to attend so the Railway can ensure adequate supervision is arranged in advance. The young volunteers take part in many activities such as cleaning and maintenance of locomotives, clearing out ash pits, and various small tasks throughout the Railway.
The day usually includes a trip on one of the steam trains, and young members may also take track walks along the restored line. Occasionally, members may get the opportunity to assist the Stationmaster or Guard.
9F club promotes skill development
The 9F club provides young people with the opportunity to develop a range of skills, and to get involved as a volunteer in railway restoration. They meet with other young people with similar interests, allowing them to develop social skills.
The 9F club proposes to take their activities to a new level in the near future by introducing apprenticeship-type opportunities for members, allowing them to develop specific skills in a particular area by working one-to-one with skilled older volunteers and technicians.
Veronica Mitchell - Veronica studied veterinary medicine at Cambridge University before becoming a secondary school science teacher. She enjoys writing about ...
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