… and so are not our volunteers. The third Volunteers Camp, supported by the National Board of Heritage, was dominated by rather unfavourable weather. On Friday, it was still possible to continue the outdoor works, mostly devoted to the renovation of the turntable and class Ty51-1, but starting from Saturday’s afternoon this area of activity become impossible. At first it was a bit of challenge to find some works inside the buildings. In case of the turntable, renovation effort was focused at the interior of the operator’s booth.

Those interested in the renovation of steam engines could help us by the exhibits standing inside the roundhouse. The help of the volunteers was also very valuable at the exhibition of signalling devices.

On Sunday, our efforts were observed and filmed by the crew preparing a document about the programme Volunteering for Heritage. Not only the volunteers’ efforts were recorded – those willing to, had the opportunity to say a couple of words about their motivation to participate in such programme and why they were specifically interested in Skiernieiwce’s shed.

We would like to thank to the participants of the 3^rd Volunteers Camp and encourage all interested in subscribing for the next part, which will take place from 1^st to 3^rd September.

Volunteers Camp is sponsored by

as a part of programme

Media patronage

Material support

From 4^th to 6^th August, a 2^nd part of our Volunteers Camp took place. The camp is supported by the sponsorship of the National Board of Heritage. At its peak, nearly 30 people were taking part in the camp (including members of PARE). Participants were involved in wide range of works, starting from upkeep of green areas of the Shed, help by renovation of the exhibits, finishing on the aid during the Open Days. Each volunteer, after undergoing the obligatory health and safety training, could find something interesting – we made and effort to provide different activities each day.

One of the most difficult tasks, in which volunteers engaged on Friday, was the replacement of glass panes at the back of the roundhouse. This side of the building, facing the river, is lately a victim of vandals tossing stones at our windows. Volunteers had the opportunity to replace the broken glass and take measurements for the order of new panes from the mobile work platform.

Participants of the second Volunteers Camp also helped by the renovation of our heaviest exhibit – class Ty51-1, which later started to rapidly deteriorate due to constant exposure to the elements outside. Despite the summer heat, volunteers were removing the old paint from the coal box of the tender car and covered it with the first layer of anti-corrosion paint. We intend to continue this work during the upcoming camps. At the moment the main aim is to secure the most rusted parts of the engine from further deterioration.

Participants were also involved in the maintenance of the turntable. We replaced the glass in the operators booth and supplemented the missing electrical equipment (searchlights). The main task was to continue repainting of the turntable – it will return to its look from the 1980′. The final of the works will be the repair of barraging signals lanterns which still need to be completed, both from electrical and mechanical part.

Volunteers helped us in the organisation of the Open Day, upkeep of green areas and painting of further parts of the fence (which was painted for the last time at the time of being erected). The last two activities were supported thanks to the tools sponsored by Castorama from Skierniewice.

We would like to express our gratitude to the volunteers and sponsors!

Volunteers Camp is sponsored by

as a part of programme

Media patronage

On 13^th July 2017 our Volunteers Camp commenced. Similarly to last year, it is supported by the National Board of Heritage, as a part of programme Volunteering for Heritage. First camp took place in the shed from 13^th to 16^th July, attracting nearly 20 people interested in helping PARE in its activities. Among the volunteers were participant’s of the last year’s camps as well as many new faces.

The main part of activities planned for this and further camps focuses on the central part of the shed – the turntable. Majority of refurbishment was already done a couple of years ago, however it still required repainting of the railings and operator’s booth. Thanks to the volunteers efforts, the device is regaining the look from it’s prime time in 1980’s.

Camp’s participants took part in other activities as well. They trimmed the grass, helped in replacing broken glass in windows, removed the waste from the previous’ year’s building renovations and painted the fence facing the Łowicka street. There was also a moment to help with renovation of our exhibits – steam engines class Ol49-4, Tkp 6042 and railway signalling devices.

Volunteers Camp is sponsored by

as a part of programme

Media patronage