Volunteer and Membership
Volunteer at the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum
We are looking for volunteers to become, docents, gift shop cashiers, Tuesday Crew workers, and staff members. The assignments take little of your time and are interesting and rewarding! The City of Tehachapi owns the museum. The Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) operates the museum.
The museum showcases the long history of railroading in the Tehachapi Mountains. It is a very popular tourist destination, hosting over 10,000 visitors yearly. Be part of this centerpiece of our community!
Be a Docent
As a docent you will guide visitors through the museum, engaging them in our railroad history and explaining the exhibits. You’ll also be an ambassador for our community. We’ll train you and team you up with experienced docents. You will learn about railroading and local railroad history, and share that knowledge with our guests. Railroad expertise is NOT a requirement for this duty. Liking people and having a willingness to learn something new and fascinating is all that’s needed!
Be a Cashier
As a cashier, you’ll focus your time in the gift shop. You’ll be the first to welcome our visitors into the museum and help them make the most of their visit. You’ll assist our guests as they select and purchase items from our gift shop,
as well as recommend local places for them to visit and to find a bite to eat.
Be a Tuesday Crew member
You will showcase your handyman talents on the Tuesday Crew. While the exterior of the depot is maintained by
the City of Tehachapi, there are numerous tasks taken on by the Tuesday Crew, such as painting, moderate construction, electrical work and artifact display. The name comes from the day of the week the crew meets. Tuesday is a day the the depot museum is not open to the public.
Get on Board Our Train
You are invited to become a member of the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD).
Membership rates are: Individual $20/year and Family $35/year
Applications are available at the depot where you can pay with cash, check or credit card,
or download the form from our website above.
Mail your completed FOTD application form and payment to:
FOTD — 101 W Tehachapi Blvd. — Tehachapi, CA 93561
Please stop by the museum to further discuss the opportunities available to you as a member of the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot. Sign up for one of our Volunteer Training classes. Requirements are a sincere desire to contribute to a worthwhile organization, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to serve. You are asked to serve once a month, but more often is desired. We schedule you at your convenience and are very flexible in meeting your requests.
To learn more and to sign up for a training class contact us
Phone # 661-822-8017 or Email: [email protected]
Membership Benefits
Becoming a member of the FOTD not only brings you into a great community-oriented family, it includes the following:
The opportunity to volunteer at the depot. Once you are a member, you may serve as a docent, cashier, Tuesday Crew member, or in a variety of other staff positions.
Quarterly General Membership Meetings that include refreshments, a short business meeting a a presentation on a railroad or community-related topic.
FOTD Christmas Dinner catered by a local restaurant to celebrate a successful year. Minimal Fee
Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner that honors our all-volunteer staff.
Movie nights in the Freight Room with popcorn, sodas and a railroad-related movie.
Discounted rates when renting the depot for your special events.
Access to the FOTD Library. Members may borrow books, magazines, and movies from our extensive collection.
Spring and summer trips and tours utilizing the Metrolink trains from Lancaster to Los Angeles. Nominal fees apply.
Quarterly newsletter to keep you abreast of FOTD activities, depot news, and railroad facts and history.