Best value steam driving experience

Having been on the instructing end of these courses my advice would be:

• go for lines of a decent length but try to get a loco of modest size - they are more fun for novices than cumbersome 4-6-2s shuffling round at under 25mph.
• keep well away from computer simulations - they have no relevance to the real experience & give a false sense of what actually happens causing issues for some participants
• listen very carefully to the instructor & ask if you are unsure of anything
• the experience is better with a modest load but some lines may require an introductory course before moving up to that
• its more interesting if done on a day when other trains are operating making timekeeping necessary

 

Although not the same as actually driving, the IWSR has now introduced a Footplate Experience option which is proving very popular. This is a round trip of the line on the footplate, during a normal passenger service. Quite suitable for someone who just wants to enjoy the ride, rather than getting their hands dirty!

 

Well, I learnt some Polish - I can now say 'Oh Dear This Railway Locomotive isn't working'

 

If you wanted something unique, we have the "Tracks to the Trenches" narrow gauge driver experience course. This is a “day in the life” of a WW1 light railway operating company driver at the Apedale Valley Light Railway.
The course not only uses historic WW1 locos, but also uses much of our large and historic collection of (British, French and US) WW1 rolling stock too. It is not just a simple drive-an-engine - the participants have to complete assigned orders during the day - shunting and selecting wagons to achieve certain tasks.
Where else could you drive to a frontline trench (albeit without shelling & gunfire)?

Please see http://www.ww1-event.org/driver-experience-course for more details.

Cheers,

 

Yes , I had a footplate experience on the WSR . I had the pleasure on 6960 Ravingham Hall and it truly was a pleasure . At the bottom of Washford Bank the driver looked across , saw that the boiler glass was full and the preasure was just off the red and said Ah , heaven . So the regulator went into the roof and that Hall barked . Fantastic .

 

Foxfield does Footplate experiences which consist of a full day at the railway for the participants, starting with breakfast (most important) and a safety brief after which there's the option for helping to prepare the locomotive. This is followed by a short light engine run for each participant to familiarise themselves with the controls then each attendee does a complete round trip as driver and one as fireman, plus the option to shadow the guard for a run and a visit to the signalbox. Also included is lunch and families are welcomes to come along and join in the day.

Everyone who attends leaves very happy and usually quite tired!

 

Only had one paid for which was a pass ride rather than driver experience. That was over the mid-Hants and very enjoyable (loco - Bittern). I think if I was asking for an actual drive as a gift I would go for somewhere small, possibly even a narrow gauge/miniature line on basis it might be more friendly with less hassle than a big railway running service trains on the same day.

Nb. Have had footplate experience also as a trainee fireman years ago but that is outside the scope of the question.



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Well as I'm from a railway in the South West, it seems only fair to post the basics of what we offer on the East Somerset Railway! There are various extras included with each course, such as complimentary tickets etc, more details on our website for anyone who is interested.

We offer Taster sessions for £100, which last for roughly 1hr 30min. It includes a ride with the crew on the footplate for a round trip with coaches and driving a light engine one way over our line.

For £250 you get our Standard footplate course, lasts about 5hr 30min, includes riding with the crew for two round trips with coaches, driving a light engine one way over our line and driving the engine with coaches one way over our line.

Our Premier course, at £350, lasts about 8 hours and includes riding with the crew for 4 round trips with coaches, driving light engine in for a round trip over our line and driving the engine and coaches on a round trip over our line.

All courses have a maximum of two participants, so you can spend the whole time on the footplate if you wish. Family and friends can ride in the coaches while you drive. All courses take place on an ex-British Railways engine, either the relatively powerful 56xx tank, or with the less powerful Ivatt tender engine.


I'd suggest that whatever course you end up doing on whatever railway, you'll be left wishing you could have had longer with the engine! Personally I'd hate to pay good money for a footplate experience course and spend most of the time somewhere away from the footplate.

 

I am going to wave the flag for Narrow Gauge, and advocate the notion that that several short trips require more intervention on the drivers part than one longer trip (or a single part of a longer trip).

The WELSH HIGHLAND HERITAGE RAILWAY www.whr.co.uk runs a couple of options, an evening course or a full day course.

Having conducted several footplate experiences from the qualified drivers position and having seen a wide variety of skills/enthusiasm I think there is a real risk that some people will be hindered/put off if they take part in the wrong type of footplate experience.

We run an evening course which happens after the trains for the day have finished which starts at 4pm with a foot plate trip on the last service train where you will watch the driver complete all of the task required and they will try to explain everything they are doing and why they are doing it. You then get to take the loco on a single light engine round trip, this enables you to get the feel for the regulator and brakes. After this we will couple the loco onto the carriages and you get the chance to complete a full round trip with the stock, this involves running round at both ends of the line and stopping the train at a designated spot on the platform at each end and at Farm Halt on the return. It is amazing how people with a little knowledge can get a huge kick and a sense of satisfaction out of this experience and at £120 it is very good value for money, you are the only person on the footplate other than the qualified crew and it is all about your experience not having to share with other people.

For the more intense option we do a full day course which cost £360, but for this price you effectively get the railway to yourself for the day, you can help light up the steam engine, help oil round and clean the engine, followed by a full day of driving (or firing if you wish to try it.) This can be quite tiring if you are not used to being on your feet all day, but as the course is just for you it can be run at a pace which suits.

Several years ago my dad did an intermediate D.Exp at the SVR, while he enjoyed it, when you boil it down as a driver he Opened the regulator and got the loco moving and then after 10 minutes or so shut it and performed one station stop, on the firing side he shovelled half a dozen shovel full of coal. While it gives the feel of what happens it does not allow any chance to develop any skills/get a true feel for the engine. Horse for courses...

 

I can also recommend the NYMR (North Yorkshire Moors Railway) which offer different classes of Driving or Footplate experience. They don't do small locomotives here, so you know you will get something nice to fire or drive, or if you prefer, and it's cheaper, are the Diesel Drivers experience option. With over 18 miles one way, to run over between Pickering and Grosmont, (some trains do continue onto Whitby, but being Network Metals you are not allowed to go on that section). I found it a great day out when I did mine, (before I took up Volunteering there) and since, I was slimmer and lighter then, so I could board the loco much easier. For full details of what is currently incorporated in the various packages, the costs etc please contact Customer Services at Pickering, who will then send you details, dates and prices etc, for you to pick the package that most fits what YOU want to do.
What ever Railway you do choose, don't underestimate how tired you can get being on the footplate, and firing can be very tiring if not fit. Just enjoy yourself, ask questions and repeat them if any instruction is not understood properly/completely. You will have a great time out to be remember, where ever you choose, and if you do chose the going through the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors, you will be well looked after and have a great time too.

There are many choices for you to stay, be it from Camping through to Posh Hotels, both locally, or slightly further away. At Scarborough as an example by the sea, with everything a holiday maker would want, but within easy distance of Pickering/Grosmont. If you are coming away with family or friends, they can come along to, and travel in the coaches behind.