The Ultimate Full Footplate Driving Experience 2024

 

The Ultimate Full Footplate Driving Experience at the Bluebell Railway.

The ultimate footplate experience day for any railway enthusiast or lover of steam is now available at Bluebell Railway.

You can now take part in a very special Footplate Experiance where you are in control of one of our larger locomotives and your very own train!

Your day starts at 7 am and you join your crew and help prepare your locomotive for the day at Sheffield Park Shed. Savouring the sights, sounds and smells of a working steam shed, here you’ll get the chance to be introduced to your Bluebell engine crew and locomotive and be alongside the other crews and engines running that day before you head out onto The Bluebell Railway later that morning. You’ll also get your chance to sample an experience very few people are lucky enough to have experienced before, a behind-the-scenes look into how you prepare an engine and how it's achieved. You will be part of that whole experience with this Ultimate Footplate Taster Day!

After starting in the shed, you head into The Bessemer Arms for a Full English Breakfast at Sheffield Park at 9 am. (Extra guests are welcome, catering requirements can be booked in advance, and an additional fee is required for guest catering.)

After this, you then re-join your engine in the shed, and after coupling up with your allocated coaches, you’ll then take the train up the along the line to Horsted Keynes Station. You'll be in charge of your very own train, something that your guests (who can join you on this very special day) can enjoy as well, as they travel on the train you will be in control of.

You will share it with another three participants and enjoy their Ultimate Footplate Taster Day alongside them on the footplate. During this, you’ll have the chance to take turns both driving and firing the locomotive throughout the day.

Lunch will be served once again at Sheffield Park around 1 pm and your day will finish off at 4:30 pm

This special experience is a real must for anyone who’s always wanted to be an engine driver or wanted their chance to join the footplate crew!

 

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The price for this exclusive experience is £999.00 per person

Up To 10 Guests are allowed to join your special experience and ride on the train you will be driving and firing! Please note NO food or drink is included for guests, but purchase can be made from our catering outlets. 

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Schedule for Footplate Driving Experiences 2024

 

The course is designed for 4 Candidates

7:00am	Arrive. Sign on. Introduction to the crew. Safety briefing. Help with locomotive preparation.
9:00am	Crew, guard and participants to the Bessemer Arms for breakfast.
10:00am	Candidates rejoin the locomotive, shunt to the platform and couple to Set
10:30am	Departure from Sheffield Park  Candidate 1 drives from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidate 2 fires from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidates 3&4 ride in the train
11:00am	Departure from Horsted Keynes  Candidate 3 drives from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidate 4 fires from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidates 1&2 ride on the train.
12:00pm	Departure from Sheffield Park Candidate 2 drives from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidate 3 fires from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidates 4&1 ride in the train
12:30pm	Departure from Horsted Keynes Candidate 4 drives from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidate 1 fires from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidates 2&3 ride on the train.
12:45pm -2:00pm	Arrive at Sheffield Park All candidates and crew to the Bessemer Arms to have lunch.
2:00pm	Departure from Sheffield Park Candidate 4 drives from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidate 1 fires from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidates 2&3 ride in the train
2:30pm	Departure from Horsted Keynes Candidate 2 drives from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidate 3 fires from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidates 1&4 ride on the train.
3:30pm	Depature from Sheffield Park Candidate 3 drives from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidate 4 fires from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes Candidates 1&2 ride in the train.
4:00pm	Departure from Horsted Keynes   Candidate 1 drives from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidate 2 fires from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park Candidates 3&4 ride on the train.
4:30pm	Arrive at Sheffield Park Leave the Set in Plat 1 (or shunt as required). Engine on shed. Get all candidates together for a debrief.

        

 

 Participants must:

• Be at least 18.
• Be reasonably fit and in good health - able to ascend and descend a ladder unassisted.
• Wear suitable protective clothing, which covers arms and legs at all times. Clothing that may easily melt or catch fire if it comes into contact with hot surfaces/material is not suitable (e.g. polyester/nylon). Gloves are also advisable.
• Wear sturdy footwear.
• Not attend the experience under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Read the Medical Brief and meet the standards required in the Medical Self-Assessment Questionnaire before being allowed to take part.

Please note:

• Participants will be required to complete a Medical Self-Assessment Questionnaire prior to taking part.
• Bluebell Railway reserves the right to cancel bookings where the participant fails to meet the required health standards.
• Bluebell Railway reserves the right to reschedule or cancel a driving experience if the minimum number of participants booked for a specific day is not reached, or for any other reason.
• The locomotive used for this experience may vary subject to availability