Railroad Crew

How to Apply

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1. Create a profile and apply for this opportunity at https://www.volunteer.gov/
2. Type "Indiana Dunes National Park" in the search field and look for this opportunity.
3. Click Apply 
4. Once you have completed the on-line application process from volunteer.gov , your completed application will be reviewed by a hiring official and compared with other applications for the same volunteer job.

5. The volunteer program office will contact you directly if you are being considered for a volunteer position.

6. If selected, more information about the volunteer position, uniform, etc. will be sent to you.
7. For any questions, contact the volunteer program office by calling [phone] or sending us an email. 

 

Railroad Crew volunteers educate the public on the National Park Service's history with America's railways

Ride in railcars and interact with visitors while riding through historic sites

Learn interpretive and communication skills while helping to enhance train rides for passengers

 

Beverly Shores Train Depot

Credit: Paul Kemiel/NPS Volunteer

Rail Rangers

A partnership between the Indiana Dunes National Park and the Midwest Rail Rangers Corporation. The partnership provides riders on the trains with information and interpretive programs about Chicago's nearest national park, Indiana Dunes National Park, and the National Park System. Volunteers will be stationed on selected South Shore Line Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) trains to provide information and interpretive programs to train riders on the South Shore between Chicago, Illinois and South Bend, Indiana through the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks.

 

Photo of Car 33 at East Troy Railroad Museum

Credit: Greg Markey/NPS Volunteer

East Troy Railroad

The National Park Service and East Troy Rail Road Museum, in East Troy, Wisconsin, host a joint interpretative program in July each year featuring historic South Shore Railroad Cars during the Museum’s annual "Chicago Day" event.

Nineteen historic South Shore Railroad Cars were conveyed to the National Park Service in 1984 after they had been decommissioned by the Chicago, South Shore, & South Bend Railroad. In 2010 East Troy Railroad Museum was chosen by the National Park Service as the recipient of eight of the historic cars, because they demonstrated the ability to preserve, maintain, and operate the cars through a large contingent of dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers and Rangers will travel to Wisconsin for the annual "Chicago Day" event to assist with the Interpretation of the history of Indiana Dunes National Park, the South Shore Railroad, and East Troy Railroad; all while riding on historic rail cars. The train route, seven scenic miles through the Kettle Moraine countryside, is the last segment of electric interurban railroad in Wisconsin. East Troy’s annual visitation is around 25,000. Learn more at https://easttroyrr.org/, and contact us to volunteer for the next Chicago Day event!

 

Volunteer Resources & Documents

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Volunteer Handbook
Hours Sheet (PDF) - submit every month to your supervisor and to [e-mail]
Monthly Volunteer Newsletter Signup 

Rail Ranger Service Description and Job Hazard Analysis
OF-301a Rail Ranger Service Agreement 

East Troy Service Description (Railroad Crew - East Troy Railroad Docent Position Overview)
OF-301a East Troy Service Agreement 
 

 

The Park Connection

"Connecting People To The Park"
For any questions, contact the volunteer program office by calling [phone] or sending us an email. For emergencies, please call 1-800-PARK-TIP (1-800-727-5847).