| Join Us Be a Volunteer | Be a Member | Our Sponsors | About ASTA 
No
experience necessary!
Railroads were the backbone of the nation and an integral part of American daily life through much of our history, and our rolling museum recalls those glory days by re-creating passenger railroading as it was generations ago. ASTA, as a community-based non-profit, makes that re-creation possible for our public every weekend, and we depend on our fine and friendly corps of volunteers to make the railroading magic happen! We have jobs available to fit almost everyone’s interests, abilities and schedules. There are opportunities as on-board service volunteers, administrative volunteers, maintenance/restoration volunteers, and—after a process of selection, training and hands-on experience—opportunities to be on the operating crews of our trains. Here’s an outline of ASTA’s volunteer opportunities:
Car attendants are assigned to each of our cars on every trip, to help and interact with our passengers, answer questions, explain some of the history of our trains and their routes, and to make sure that every customer’s excursion train experience is as comfortable, fun and rewarding as possible. Our car attendants’ role as the face of the railroad to our public makes them our “most valuable players.” Concession car volunteers staff the car that goes on nearly every train, where passengers can buy soft drinks, snack items, souvenirs, toys, film and the like. The concession car frequently becomes the social crossroads of the train during a run, so our concession-car staff is also essential to making our passengers’ train ride as enjoyable as possible. Office volunteers are often needed to help the professional staff in ASTA’s downtown Austin office take efficient care of all the railroad’s administrative functions, helping with fund development and publicity, handling reservations, taking care of clerical jobs, maintaining computer systems and other essential behind-the-scenes responsibilities.
Ticket agents are needed from time to time to help our customers make reservations, buy tickets and be assured they’re going in the right direction, both for regular trains and special events. Maintenance and restoration volunteers work under our general superintendent’s direction in our Cedar Park home yard, helping with the never-ending but essential tasks of maintaining our engines, cars, fixed facilities and other equipment. Special skills such as welding, carpentry, mechanical, plumbing and painting are always welcome, but general help is needed as well, and it’s a great opportunity to learn some new skills. Maintenance and restoration crews often work during the week as well as on weekends. Operating crews—conductors, engineers, firemen, brakemen and track-patrol operators—are the people who make sure our trains operate safely, regularly, comfortably and on time. Our operating volunteers are all fully trained and qualified for their particular jobs, and ASTA maintains its own federally approved training and advancement program for people who’d like to learn the venerable craft of railroading and be considered for our operating staff.
From stuffing envelopes to laying track, ASTA volunteers have the opportunity to do just about everything it takes to keep a vintage passenger railroad up and running. There are tasks to suit just about everyone’s time and talents, and the rewards include the satisfactions of giving the public an incomparable hands-on experience of golden-age railroading, learning new skills, and working and socializing with a welcoming, diverse and dedicated group of fellow volunteers. Lack of railroad knowledge or experience is no hindrance—we’ll “train” you—and we’d love to have you on board! Seasonal volunteers are critical to the success of our holiday and special event trains, and there are many positions to fill. Instructions and on-the-job training will be provided as needed. Please contact us today by phone or by e-mail with your name, address, and phone number to become an ASTA volunteer. |
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