Become a Volunteer

Join the volunteers who operate trains, maintain scenery, work on structures and wiring, and talk with visitors.

Start with a Conversation

No model railroad experience is required. Email us about your interests before attending a volunteer work session. The message opens with a list of volunteer roles; keep the ones that interest you.

Email Us About Volunteering

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Train Operations

    Run trains during events and open houses

  • Maintenance & Construction

    Help build and maintain the layout

  • Scenery & Detailing

    Create realistic landscapes and structures

  • Photography & Documentation

    Document our work and history

  • Docents & Visitor Engagement

    Welcome guests, answer questions, and interpret railroad history

Volunteers at Work

A few scenes from construction, scenery work, and day-to-day upkeep on the layout.

Volunteers constructing layout at Nevada County Fairgrounds
Volunteers constructing the layout at Nevada County Fairgrounds
Volunteer working on layout scenery and trackwork
Volunteer working on layout scenery and trackwork
Volunteer detailing structures on the model railroad layout
Volunteer detailing structures on the layout
Volunteer at work on the N.C.N.G. layout scenery
Volunteer at work on the layout scenery

New Members Welcome

Members, junior members, docents, and teachers are all welcome.

There is useful work to do whether you like train operations, scenery, carpentry, wiring, research, photography, or talking with visitors during open houses.

Work Sessions

First Saturday and Third Wednesday of the month — usually 11 AM to 2 PM

Work sessions are for volunteer work, not public visits. Email us before attending so we can confirm the session and entry arrangements.

We are open to the public only during events published on this site. See published events.

Docents Needed

Docents help greet visitors and explain the history of the railroad and the layout during open houses. If you like talking with the public and sharing local history, this is a good place to help.

Junior Members (Ages 12-18)

Junior members ages 12 to 18 are welcome with an accompanying adult member. It is a good way to learn model railroading, layout work, and local railroad history together.

School Teachers

Teachers covering Nevada County history or transportation history can email us with questions about bringing a class to a published public event.