Volunteering

Opportunities to get involved in the work of the RCTS

The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS) is Britain’s leading organisation for people interested in all aspects of railways past, present and future. Since 1928, the Society has been highly regarded by both professional railway people and enthusiasts.

The Society is run entirely by volunteers at both Branch level and nationally and there are many ways to contribute. Whether you have specialist skills or simply some time to offer, you can make a meaningful difference.

Volunteering roles across the Society include:

  • Publishing
  • Image preparation
  • Archiving
  • Branch or Zoom talks
  • Managing events
  • Software and web administration
  • Branch administration- everything from making the tea to Chairman 
  • Research
  • Authorship
  • RO section compilation
  • Librarianship

We warmly welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Many roles can be shaped around the time you have available and done from the comfort of your armchair.

For some roles, volunteers need to be members of the RCTS. If you are not yet a member, we are very happy to discuss how to join. The process is quick and straightforward, and membership brings a wide range of benefits.

Image preparation and archiving can prove to be an enjoyable past time, and on occasions you might find yourself looking at a picture that has never seen been seen since the day it was taken. This view of Gunnislake might be of interest to some one interested in stations, goods wagons, carriages or even cars.

What do Branches do?

Our Branches organise monthly meetings, talks, visits, and community activities. They are the heart of the Society’s local presence, providing spaces where members can learn, share knowledge, and enjoy railway history and contemporary developments together.

Branch volunteers help with:

Organising meetings and speakers
Running events
Managing communications
Supporting local members
Maintaining the Branch’s presence on the website

What are “Central Teams”?

Central teams support the Society’s national work and specialist activities. These include:

  • The Library and Archive (based at Leatherhead station)
  • The Railway Observer (our monthly magazine
  • Book production and publishing
  • Membership services
  • Photographic, digital, and paper archives
  • Website development and digital content

We warmly welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Many roles can be shaped around the time you have available and done from the comfort of your armchair.

For some roles, volunteers need to be members of the RCTS. If you are not yet a member, we are very happy to discuss how to join. The process is quick and straightforward, and membership brings a wide range of benefits.

Volunteers in these teams help preserve the Society’s heritage, support research, and contribute to publications and digital resources.

The Society will re-imburse reasonable expenses and provide equipment needed. Some of the hidden benefits of volunteering are at a personal level such as a sense of achievement, being part of a team and the satisfaction to be gained from helping others all as part of being in a charitable organisation and contributing to its goals such as providing a research facility for the benefit of all enthusiasts.

Current Volunteer Vacancies

Below you will find a list of current vacancies, including what each role involves and who to contact for more information.

Many Branches and central teams also welcome additional volunteers even when no specific vacancy is listed. If you are interested in getting involved more generally, please get in touch.

Society Webmaster
Role summary: The Society’s website hosts national and Branch events, meeting reports, the online shop, Railway Observer content, membership services, and the digital archive. The site is currently undergoing a refresh, and this role supports its day‑to‑day operation.
 
Key responsibilities: Managing the website on a daily basis; Adding new products, publications, and magazines to the shop and Members’ Area; Monitoring and responding to website‑related email inboxes; Handling shop queries and monitoring shop activity; Managing licences for associated software;
Supporting members with login queries and password resets; Remotely monitoring the server located at Leatherhead. Training: Full training will be provided.
Role summary: The Advertising Assistant supports the Strategy Group in managing the Society’s advertising activity in the railway press. This includes helping to promote membership and the Society’s publications throughout the year.
 
Key responsibilities: Liaising with advertising teams at major railway publishers; Assisting with placing advertisements and negotiating rates; Keeping track of documentation and payment processes; Supporting the lead Strategy Group member responsible for advertising; Using Google Books (helpful but not essential). Further information: This is a part time volunteer role with scope to contribute ideas and suggestions.

Role summary: The Strategy Group meets around four times a year, both in person and via Zoom, to help shape the future direction of the Society. The group provides strategic input, discusses priorities, and contributes ideas to support long term planning.

Key responsibilities: Attending quarterly Strategy Group meetings; Contributing views, ideas, and suggestions on the Society’s development; Representing perspectives from your Branch and the wider membership; Supporting the Group in identifying priorities and opportunities for the Society’s future. Further information: Two vacancies are currently available. This is a part time volunteer role suited to members interested in contributing to the Society’s strategic planning.

Role summary: The Reviews Editor coordinates the Railway Observer’s book review process. The role involves liaising with publishers and the existing team of reviewers, managing the flow of review copies, and preparing the monthly reviews section for publication.

Key responsibilities: Receiving books for review from publishers; Advising the review team of available titles; Sending books to reviewers; Receiving completed reviews and compiling them into the monthly RO reviews feature; Providing the Managing Editor with a single, consolidated report each month. Other information: There is no requirement for the Reviews Editor to write reviews personally unless they wish to do so.

Role summary: Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and oversight of the Society as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Board manages the affairs of the Society, ensures compliance with the Constitution and Rules, and makes key operational and policy decisions.
 
Commitment: The Board meets around five to six times per year, usually in person but occasionally via video conference. Eligibility: 1) Must be a Member of the Society; 2) Must be aged 16 or over; 3) Must not be disqualified from acting as a charity trustee under the Charities Act. Appointment Trustees are elected for a three year term at the Annual General Meeting. The Board may also co opt individuals at any point during the year.
Role summary: The South Wales Branch meets monthly (except August) in Radyr and delivers a varied programme of talks throughout the year. Committee members help organise and host these meetings and support the work needed to sustain the Branch’s activities, such as promoting events online and running the book sales stand.
 
Committee members bring a wide range of experiences and skills. Commitment The Branch Committee meets approximately four times a year. Tasks to support Branch activities are shared flexibly between meetings.
The Society has an Archive and Library at Leatherhead in Surrey, as well a digital photography archive.
 
Role Summary: Volunteers are always welcome to assist with scanning new items, cataloguing, sorting, and covering books, etc.
Role Summary: The Society has an Archive and Library at Leatherhead in Surrey. A volunteer is sought to become an additional keyholder. This will involve being responsible for opening the Archive approximately once per month and providing general assistance to visitors.
The Surrey Branch holds a monthly series of talks, and other activities during the year.
 
Role Summary: The Branch Secretary is responsible for organising and minuting Branch Committee meetings. They also act as the key point of liaison between the Branch and national society.
The Surrey Branch holds a monthly series of talks, and other activities during the year.Role Summary: The Branch Committee is responsible for the overall running of the Branch, including arranging meetings, welcoming attendees, and various administrative tasks.
 
Commitment: Committee membership will involve attending committee meetings (approximately four times a year) and being present at monthly public meetings when possible. Administrative tasks can be undertakien flexibly between meetings. Additionally, the Branch is also looking for an individual to act as a meeting report writer (summarising the monthly talks) – this could be a committee role but it is not essential to join the committee.

For all vacancies in the first instance, please click here to contact the Liaison Officer, advising which vacancy you are applying for and any other information that you think would be useful who will be happy to help.