Volunteering Opportunities

As a Docent you will give talks about the History of the PLA (Niles Canyon Railway), Transcontinental Railroad and how it relates to the building of the west. Also talk about who we are and what we are doing.

work commissary car on train during regular operations selling snacks

Pass out and sell tickets at ticket window

Parking lot crew places signs, and directs passengers where to park.

Lead parking lot crew with placing signs, parking cars and directing passengers where to park.

Parking lot crew places signs, direct cars with parking and directing passengers where to go.

Lead parking lot crew with placing signs, parking cars and directing passengers where to park.

Arrive at Brightside at 2:30 before the train departs for Niles at 3:00pm. Turn on PA system. Give welcome talk to passengers and where the gift shop, snack bars, and restrooms are on the train. Give a short History of the PLA (Niles Canyon Railway). Highlight some spots in the canyon during the TOL. Thank our passengers for riding with us, ask them to throw away their garbage, and take all of their belongings with them.

Pre check generators before start up. Check fuel status and inform Conductor if re-fueling is necessary. Start and turn on AC and DC train line circuits. Handle any minor issues that might arise during ride. Shut down both AC and DC train line circuits.

Prepare and deliver food for crew on operation nights. Either deliver to Brightside by 2:30pm or deliver to Niles Station and put on train by 3:30 when train arrives. Three crock pots worth of food such as stew, soups, spaghetti, etc. for train crew (crock pots on train in snack bar car), one container of 8 cups of food for the Sunol Depot crew and one container of 6 cups for Niles Station parking lot volunteers. Save and turn in receipts to treasurer for reimbursement.