With around half of its 75 guards due to retire over the next 10-15 years the Severn Valley Railway is launching a recruitment drive to attract up to 100 volunteers to replace them and avoid a staffing crisis.
Although 75 guards may seem like a lot of staff , in reality it’s barely enough to cover the rostered turns. This is mainly because many volunteers have other commitments, such as their family, and can only volunteer on the SVR for one or two weekends a year.
A typical weekend in August can require up to 10 guards to work the trains and some guards are being asked to do 30 or 40 turns a year.
