Enjoy a turn on the footplate under the guidance of our experienced footplate crews. Your own guide to answer questions and give you a tour of sheffield park station, with the opportunity to visit the signal box, steamworks. Bluebell railway one of the best family days out in sussex. Youll then have the chance to experience life on the footplate. Bluebell railway reserves the right to reschedule a driving experience if the minimum number of participants booked on a specific day is not reached, or for any other reason. Budding drivers can get behind the controls and for a few hours, or even a day, enjoy the thrill of driving a giant express passenger or freight engine on britains only main line steam railway. There can be no better or more memorable surprise than to fulfil a childhood ambition and take to the footplate of one of our steam or diesel locomotives. Does someone you know always had a dream to drive a real live train to feel the power of a heritage locomotive in their own hands and experience the wonder of the steam era. Steam experience course heritage railway and steam train. Working on the footplate of a steam engine requires you to be able to do as youre told as the most junior member of the team, and because we all work together and live together, this engenders a very closeknit social scene after hours. Luxury trains and heritage steam train experiences virgin. You will be one on one with the driver, as participants you will help clean and prepare the loco before firing it up and taking it for a spin. Lawrences birthday present was a lesson on driving a steam engine stepney on the bluebell railway.
As the only place in this country where you can drive a steam locomotive on a main line, this is truly the experience. Find fantastic luxury trains and heritage steam gifts for a friend or even treat yourself. Drive a steam train train driving experiences into the blue. Bob is also an experienced steam locomotive driver on the bluebell railway. Footplate taster experiences bluebell railway in sussex. Driver experience day at the bluebell railway youtube. The perfect experience for anyone whos ever dreamed of being an engine driver. Steam train gift experience days the golden age of steam may be long gone, but the chance to enjoy a trip on a steam train is certainly not. If you would like to make a donation, please do so via the link. Please confirm all details of the experiences offered with the railway, footplate experience cannot be held responsible for any errors in the search results.
Then our full steam ahead day might just be what you have. Another view of tornado, as she runs round her train at east grinstead stephen garratt. You will be able to enjoy talks, tours and demonstrations, to see behind the steam at the bluebell railway. Take your pick from the various courses and sign up today. A driving lesson on stepney the steam engine, bluebell railway. East anglian railway museum steam railway experience days. The bluebell railway has announced that 6233 duchess of sutherland will be visiting them for their giants of steam gala in october. Feel the power and smell the burning coal whilst you trundle up the line. The avon valley railway offers you the chance of a lifetime to realise your dream of driving a steam or diesel locomotive. Learn to operate a steam locomotive and about other railway duties and, if you choose the fullday experience, you take control in our signal box, acting as both guard and crossing keeper. Steam train driving and footplate rides are amongst our most popular activities. Bluebell pages elsewhere including photos, audio and video files and filming 2.
Now, thanks to the unique association of clive groome, an ex british rail driver and fireman, with a number of preserved railways, anyone can experience the thrill of driving a full size steam. North norfolk is a great place for a family holiday with a dog and we loved that our dog was made so welcome on the poppy line north norfolk railway. As the only place in this country where you can drive a steam locomotive on a main line, this is truly the experience of a lifetime. The staff were wonderful and the whole experience is something i would recommend to anyone who has a dream to drive a steam loco for real. A footplate trip on the bluebells q class from sheffield park to horsted keynes. Steam train driver experience the bellarine railway.
This unique experience to drive along our 6 mile railway, restored and relaid after a 30 year battle is. Drive a train experience the past today the hiss of steam, the roar of a fire, the deep rumble of an engine and the shrill blast of a whistle, no youtube video or instagram pic can quite do justice to the inimitable experience of piloting a heritage steam or diesel engine. Its full steam ahead as you and an other customer take charge of a locomotive, with a footplate crew in support, for a 16 mile round trip. You will be hauling one of our standard train sets along a challenging route that abounds with sharp curves and steep gradients. We offer a variety of experiences to suit your budget, interest and requirements from footplate rides to half and full day experiences driving a steam locomotive. Purchase a footplate experience voucher for family or friends or both or just for gift to yourself. It is managed by the bluebell railway preservation society. Steam trains train experiences virgin experience days. Weve a range of fantastic and unique experiences ideal as gifts for that special occasion or to just indulge in a childhood dream. We are opening up the railway for behind the scenes tours next week.
A footplate trip on the bluebells q class from sheffield park to. We offer both taster experiences and full day packages. Many, many thanks for the superb steam train driving experience on the railway. Travel on the train as much as you wish and join your relative or friend for lunch, all for just. Featuring a variety of locomotives on various days throughout 2019, this is your chance to hop on the footplate and take control of a mighty steam engine. Michael taylors and ian bowskills audio recordings of bluebell steam on this site. Fulfil your childhood dream drive a steam locomotive. We are delighted to offer a variety of steam driving experience at the spa valley railway, these range from driving the locomotive on its own over a short or long distance to hauling a rake of carriages along part of our railway. Steam trains between sheffield park, horsted keynes and east grinstead.
We are therefore appealing for donations to help keep the essential services of the railway running. Find out more about our drive a diesel train experiences. The puffing billy railway offers train driver experiences in a 120 year old steam engine, a couliett locomotive built in 1886 for use in paris. Steam train experiences throughout england, scotland and wales. The railway runs steam trains on about 23 of the days in each year. This is the weekend the bluebell railway shows off its world class collection of vintage and veteran carriages, some of which passed into preservation from. Drive a loco great central railway the uks only main. Come along and experience firsthand firing and driving one the railway s fleet of historic steam engines b. This locomotive was numbered 861 and consequently the driver experience is referred to as the 861 footplate experience course. The bluebell railway will be running some a very special days for lovers of steam. Heres your chance to drive a steam or diesel train at a heritage railway in the uk. Its designed to fill the gap for anyone missing their steam train rides or visits to the bluebell railway.
As if that isnt just a little bit special, this steam train is red. There can be up to four participants on each course and two people at a time will travel on the engine with our driver and fireman. Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gifts or team building with a difference. Watch the driver as he works the regulator, bringing the train to the stations with inch perfect precision. These hugely popular courses enable you to take part in the experience of a lifetime and relive the golden age of steam. If so, then a footplate experience day at the midland railway butterley is just what you have been looking for. Get absolutely steaming with excitement for these steam train experiences. Filmed at a driver experience day a footplate taster at the bluebell railway 1st february 2020. Did you ever dream of driving a full sized steam locomotive, or do you know someone whose ambition has always been to be at the controls of a steam locomotive. A history of the midland railway route through the peak. Driving experiences mid hants railway ltd watercress line.
We have events to cater for all, choose a category above to see all events of a type, or keep scrolling to see whats coming up next. A wonderful train experience for my retirement from mainstream railway operations, my colleagues bought me an experience day at loughborough driving a classic steam engine. We offer three different experiences throughout the year, from our steam taster, 3 hour diesel multiple unit dmu continue reading. The bluebell railway is a great day out for all ages. From the first greeting and briefing and tour from john, the first touch of the regulator under grahams expert and attentive guidance, to the last shovel of coal under the watchful eyes of robin, it was a truly great experience. Come along and experience firsthand firing and driving one the railways fleet of historic steam engines. Things to do with kids or children on holiday or vacation for a day out in east sussex and west sussex. The bellarine railway offers the opportunity to drive one of our steam or diesel trains. Whilst one participant acts as fireman, the other will take the regulator of a great western railway steam engine. We offer multiple driving experiences alongside our footplate and guard experiences. It was so interesting to get a snapshot of yesteryear and how different things ran compared to todays modern railway systems. Driver and signal box experiences epping ongar railway. Steam train gift experience days activity superstore. Bluebell railway home page of this popular steam railway.
The chance to spend a day at a heritage railway surrounded by steam and diesel locomotives is pure nostalgia and loved by all ages. Perhaps youre already too advanced in your own career to consider train driving for a living, but have always fancied having a go. Footplate taster days at the bluebell railway are a great present for that special occasion. Driving and footplate experiences telford steam railway. As always, my very grateful thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the bluebell. In recent years, all our steam and diesel driving courses have sold out within a few weeks of being advertised. You will drive our steam locomotive, be a fireman and find out how it all works all under the instruction and watchful eye of our qualified footplate crew. Steam train driving experience, drive a steam train. Ideal training courses for train driving hobbyists. Joseph broom 2016 website design by anglebury press ltd our searchable database is meant as a helpful guide only. We have a variety of experiences including bluebell railway steam train tip. The bluebell times is packed with news, quizzes, puzzles and games to keep you informed and entertained while the railway is closed. The perfect gift for family, friends or colleagues.
You could try doing a train driving experience course on one of britains many heritage railways and make train driver your hobby. Well good news we will be running our popular footplate tasters again in 2020. Rail reserve the right to ask participants to produce a letter from your gp confirming that they are fit to undertake a steam experience course as. Footplate experience realise your lifelong ambition. We offer the thrill of firing and driving a fullsized steam or diesel locomotive on one of britains premier preserved railways. On this wonderful experience you will perhaps learn new meanings to old words such as tokens which control possession of the line, or permanent way which is the track and ballast that the trains run along. We walked about 25 minutes into the town of holt and caught a vintage bus back to the train station. Book well in advance for our train driving experiences though, as demand is high. Our driver experience courses are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it was designed.
Welcome to our steam driver experience page where you can book to live that childhood dream. Driver experience days a day out on our railway learning how to drive a steam or diesel locomotive is an ideal gift for a friend or relative, or indeed for yourself. Shared drive of a steam locomotive and complimentary lunch. Driver and signal box experiences steam and diesel driver experience have you ever dreamt about taking to the footplate of a steam or diesel locomotive, feeling the power of the engine as it hauls a train along a full size railway. He has great experience in the planned preventative maintenance of railway rolling stock, the best way to ensure that the safety and reliability of the carriage and wagon fleet is maintained at all times.
A day out on our railway learning how to drive a steam or diesel locomotive is an ideal gift for a friend or relative, or indeed for yourself. Video files of bluebell steam are listed elsewhere on this site. The bluebell railway 2019 branchline weekend youtube. Steam locomotive packages great central railway the uks. For those who love steam trains, this unique opportunity will have you reliving the golden age of steam in the drivers cab of a classic light engine steam locomotive in the high weald countryside. Come along and experience firsthand firing and driving one the railway s fleet of historic steam engines. We boarded the train in sherjngham and went to holt. We offer three different experiences throughout the year, from our steam taster, 3 hour diesel multiple unit dmu or full day diesel locomotive course, all under the expert supervision of our experienced drivers and firemen. Drive a train on a journey of adventure that you will never forget. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime at the controls of a heritage steam locomotive. Footplate experience find your perfect uk steam or.
To many volunteers, the bluebell railway is their second home. How many of us have gazed longingly into the cab of a simmering engine as the crew prepare her for the journey ahead. Whatever the name people from all walks of life and of all ages have a love of trains and would relish the chance to drive a real life steam or diesel locomotive engine. Bluebell railway footplate taster experience days youtube.
An information pack with full details will be posted to you upon booking. Nothing compares to the industrial beauty of a steam locomotive feel the thrill of working on the footplate with the driver and fireman. It uses steam trains which operate between sheffield park and east grinstead, with intermediate stations at horsted keynes and kingscote. Bluebell railway official heritage steam trains and days. The scenic bluebell railway, which runs between sheffield park and east grinstead in lovely sussex, is arguably englands best steam railway experience as britains oldest preserved standardgauge railway, it shows off the areas beautiful bluebells as they come into bloom each spring. Two people take control of steam locomotive secr pclass 178 60 tank engine at sheffield park on. This unique experience to drive along our 6 mile railway, restored and relaid after a 30 year battle is available to purchase for you and members of your family. Tornado at the bluebell railway the a1 steam locomotive trust. The west somerset railway offers a range of one day and two day courses to realise your ambition and make your long held dreams become reality. Ever wanted to drive a steam train at bluebell railway. Luxury trains and heritage steam train experiences. Look for classic experiences such as bluebell railway, watercress line, great central railway, swanage railway and severn valley railway. Footplate experience find your perfect uk steam or diesel.
Driving experience bluebell railway, uckfield traveller. Bluebell railway drivers eye view sheffield park to. We have a choice of the most lovingly restored and maintained steam railways so you can take a journey back in time on a train from the past. Visitor information, timetable, events and news from the bluebell railway. Now you can relive those bygone days when the most powerful steam locomotives in the land headed great named expresses like the south yorkshireman and the master cutler, as they raced to the capital. Standing on the bridge as one of the powerful steam locomotives travels beneath you, definitely is an exciting experience. For the safety of our trains and visitors, drones or similar airborne photographic platforms must not be operated from bluebell railway property or within 50m of bluebell railway property, except where specific authority is given. Driver experience days gloucestershire warwickshire steam. Have you or someone you know ever dreamt of driving a steam or diesel train. The bluebell railway is a not for profit railway which has been impacted hard by the closedown and has no income during this period. Be it steam or diesel, a drive a train experience makes for a fantastic gift for a family member or a friend, you can even purchase an open voucher so that the lucky recipient can choose when they want to. Steam locomotive packages great central railway the uk. All course tuition is operated on a one to one basis with our qualified driver and fireman.
A fantastic footplate experience from dartmouth steam railway. Get your engine drivers hat on for a steam train experience at spa valley railway where you get to be the driver. Hop aboard some classic steam trains and prepare yourself for a day to remember. Experience the thrill of driving a full sized steam locomotive on a driver experience course. Footplate experience is the only searchable footplate experience database of uk steam and diesel train driving and riding packages. Largest collection of southern steam locomotives, one of the top 10 tourist attractions in sussex. See the bluebell railway as the driver sees it, thanks to the locomotive crew and the bluebell railway kindly granting permission to attach a camera to locomotive no. If youre looking for gift ideas then virgin experience days can offer a wide range of different kinds of gift experiences such as steam trains.
Live your dream and join the east lancashire railway on one of their drive a steam train experience days. The trip between sheffield park and east grinstead includes breakfast and a buffet lunch. Bluebell railway reserves the right to cancel bookings were the participant fails to meet the required health standards. Drive a steam train train driving experiences into the. Bluebell railway one of the best family days out in.
Whether youre the handson kind of person looking to take one of these glorious locomotives out for a spin, or after something more refined like, for instance, wine, weve got a first. We have a variety of experiences including bluebell railway steam train tip and visit to wakehurst place botanic garden for two, west somerset railway rover 2 adults and steam locomotive driving experience. The victorian goldfields railway offers the opportunity to drive one of our heritage steam or diesel locomotives while in charge of a goods train. Browse below to find the perfect present today from virgin experience days. To feel the power of the locomotive with their own hands and experience the wonder of a bygone era.