Join Us - Membership

Membership Information

The Avon Valley Railway is run by volunteers, and new members are always welcomed. We have a growing membership who all have one thing in common - a desire to see the return of steam to the Avon Valley itself.

Members receive a number of benefits:

• Three complimentary tickets to travel on the trains, each valid for a whole day, for as many journeys as are available that day. You can either use them yourself, or pass them on to friends or family so that they may enjoy the experience.
• Half price travel for yourself on as many days as you wish throughout the year (special events excluded)
• The Avon Valley Railway's official members' magazine 'Semaphore'. This twice-yearly magazine is a mine of information about the Railway, its history and future plans, reports from the various departments, and a forum for letters and views of all members. Containing many photographs, this quality full colour illustrated magazine spans approximately 30 pages. We have also recently created a new website, Semaphore, where members can find online versions of some of the stories appearing in both our magazines, as well as various other late-breaking news-stories and reports.
• Ground Signal, a supplementary newsletter published bi-monthly for members, between issues of Semaphore. In Ground Signal, you can catch up on all latest news of progress on the railway.
• 10% off certain items available for sale in the shop (cash purchases only).
• Social events, organised throughout the year, including members' evenings, skittles matches, day trips, meals and all sorts of other social get-togethers.
• The chance to help run YOUR railway, with opportunities to be trained in a variety of activities connected with the operation of the line, from Ticket Inspector to Engine Driver.

Membership prices are very reasonable, yet each new member that joins us makes a fantastic difference to the future of the Avon Valley Railway.

Membership Prices

* Premier Gold Membership gives you additional advantages over and above standard membership, and in most cases works out cheaper as well. Premier Gold Membership lasts for five years (Adult or Over 60), or three years (Family). The Adult and Family subscriptions offers a saving of around 12% over the standard, annual subscription, and of course all Premier Gold Members need pay no more during their membership period, no matter how much the annual subscription rate may rise.

In addition, Premier Gold Members receive a gold 'credit card' style membership card which entitles them to unlimited free train rides on most days (Santa Specials excluded). Other 'one-off' benefits are also offered to Premier Gold Members, for example, reserved seats were offered on the very first trains to travel south of Bitton into the Avon Valley when that part of the line was opened.

Payment for all types of membership can be made by cheque, postal order, standing order, or credit card.

Please come and join us! You don't have to do anything more than become a member, but of course the opportunity is there for you to become more involved with all aspects of running the railway, should you choose to become a volunteer. Whatever your choice, you'll find a warm welcome, and our sincerest gratitude - we never forget that without our members, nothing of what we've already achieved with the restoration of the railway, would ever have been possible!

To become a member please contact us. You can pay with a cheque, postal order, credit card or standing order mandate by post.

We look forward to welcoming you as a member of the Avon Valley Railway!

last updated: andy stone, Sun 9th Jan 2005