INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT ATTRACTING MORE WOMEN TO THE FOOTPLATE

‘Women Teaching Women’ is a new series of events aimed at encouraging more women to get involved in the traditionally male-dominated environment of steam traction and engineering.

The initiative will hold its first event on the Perrygrove Railway in the Forest of Dean on June 22/23 2019 – the second day coinciding with International Women in Engineering Day.

The initiative was devised by 20-year-old Megan Charman, a fireman on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. Since becoming involved with steam railways around four years ago, Ms Charman gained much support from her fellow volunteers, but also encountered attitudes out of step with modern times.

The first event at the Perrygrove Railway will include an extensive timetable on the 15in gauge line, with Perrygrove’s female drivers offering driving experiences on three steam locomotives.

Anyone wishing to attend or offer their services should contact megan.charman62@ gmail.com or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ WomenTeachingWomen