Steam Footplate Experience Days
with 0-4-2 IST "Joan"

Experience a day out on the footplate of steam loco 0-4-2 IST "Joan", light the fire and prepare the engine for a trip down the line. Hook up to a rake of coaches, set off down the line and be an engine driver for the day.

It's just you and our expert instructor on the footplate for the day, so if you are not driving, you will be firing. Activities on your day out will include full training, from how to use a steam injector to climbing one of our steep banks hauling a full train.

The day out may be a gift or birthday present, but it will be an adventure to remember, experience the smell and sound of a steam locomotive in steam, which you have been the one to fire and drive, pulling 4 coaches, the full length of a NG railway line.

During the day, participants will be able to experience lighting the fire, raising steam, oiling round, driving and firing the loco light engine under supervision to gain driving experience, before driving a train with coaches.

The day starts at 08-00 and finishes at 16-00 (or other times to suit the participant(s)). Our routine takes the participants through the whole normal day for a GVLR fireman and driver. The following is a typical day's schedule assuming a 08-00 start.

08-00 - Induction, safety brief with hot drink, draw loco out of shed, check boiler, light fire.

08-45 approx Steam raising, loco cleaning and preparation, learning to drive a Diesel loco and using this for a preliminary road learning trip, lunch.

12-15 Light steam engine trip on the whole main line, followed by trips with coaches, with gradually increasing train weight on our steeply graded line. Expect a total of 5 - 6 return trips.

15-30 Dispose loco, wash up, presentation of certificate(s).

Footplate experience days will take place on the following dates in 2010

Fri 23rd April
Fri 30th April

Fri 14th May

Fri 11th June
Wed 23rd June

Fri 9th July
Fri 16th July

Fri 24th September - Booked

Fri 8th October - Booked

All remaining 2010 scheduled Footplate Experience Days have now been booked.
But if you are interested in participating in an experience day before mid November, please get in touch, to see if we can agree a mutual date.

Footplate Experience Days in 2011, no firm decision has been made about running these next year, but as soon as we have any news, it will be posted on this page.

If you are interested in participating in any of the days please download the booking form, or contact us, using the "Contact Us" page