How to apply for membership

Applications are welcome from rail professionals, at all levels. It does not matter whether your role is within the Operating/Production function or not.

How to complete the Application Form
Application forms should be completed in full, preferably in capital letters for absolute clarity. Please give home and work addresses, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses. We will normally send everything to you at your home address, so if you prefer your work address to be used, you should say so.

You are invited to choose which Area you wish to join: South East, South West, Midlands, North West, North East or Scotland, by ticking the appropriate box on the application form.

Your application form must be accompanied by a full c.v. which supports and exemplifies the experience and qualifications you are claiming.
Your c.v. should be annotated with the 15 spheres of operational/production activity which are listed on the second page of the application form (and on page 3 of this document). This will enable the Membership Committee to understand the full breadth and length of experience, thus providing the means to offer the appropriate grading to you.

You are welcome to attach any supporting documentation to your c.v., such as photocopies (not originals) of:
• training course certificates awarded
• letters of commendation
• any other certificates or documents which prove the length and breadth of your operating experience and your achievements in the field

All application forms, with accompanying c.v. and cheque (if needed) should be sent to:
The Administration Officer,
The Institution of Railway Operators
P O Box 128, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0UZ
United Kingdom

Payment of subscription
If you are employed by a Corporate Member of the Institution (please click here for further information), you will not need to enclose any payment with your application.

If you are not employed by a Corporate Member, please enclose a cheque for £30.00 with your application. This will enable you to be enrolled in the Institution at the provisional level of Affiliate. Once your grading has been decided, you will either be offered Affiliate membership and therefore nothing more is due, or you will be asked to pay the difference between the £30 already paid and the appropriate subscription for your grade.

The application process
1. When we receive your application, it will be recorded in our systems and a letter confirming receipt will be sent to you. If you have sent a cheque for £30, your receipt will be enclosed too. You will be given a provisional membership number – which will be finalised once your grading has been completed.

2. Your application form, your c.v. and any other documentation will then be submitted to the appropriate Area Membership Committee for consideration. The Area Committees meet approximately once a month, so you may find a wait of several weeks is needed before you hear anything further.

3. When the Area Membership Committee has decided on the appropriate grade to be offered to you, the paperwork is returned to the Administration Officer so that a letter can go out to you.

4. The letter will inform you of the grade being offered, and of any additional payment required (in addition to the £30 if you have paid it).

5. Future years’ subscriptions may be made by standing order, or by internet-banking or telephone-banking transfers.