Behind the Steam: Footplate Experience

Vouchers will be available to purchase from the museum shop soon.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be up close to a real steam engine in action? Now’s your chance. Step onto the footplate of a working steam locomotive, ride alongside the driver and fireman and feel the heat, power, and excitement of steam travel from the best seat in the house.

Terms & Conditions:

Participants must: 

• Be physically fit and aged over 18 at the time of the experience. Our risk assessment process requires that a doctor’s letter be provided confirming that participants over the age of 75 are medically fit and capable to participate in the footplate ride experience. This must be made available to the railway the experience. 

• Be able, in the event of an emergency evacuation, to climb on/off the locomotive from ground level unaided. This may be up to a 1.5 metre (5 feet) vertical climb with steps at up to 0.6M (2ft) spacing. You must also be able to cope with discomfort, variable temperatures, weather and lighting, heights, noise, and vibration. 

• Be able to hear and understand verbal instructions in noisy surroundings. 

• Disclose any medical conditions and treatment/medication that may affect mobility, concentration, dexterity, coordination, consciousness, and ability to understand and follow instructions. 

• Footplate ride experience may not be suitable for those with some disabilities, particularly where these affect mobility, concentration, dexterity, coordination, and ability to understand and follow instructions. We advise you to contact us prior to booking one of our experiences if you believe this may affect the participant to ensure the activities are suitable. 

• Alcohol & Drugs: Participants must not come on the footplate ride experience under the effects of alcohol or any drugs which may affect their vigilance, whether medically prescribed or not, or consume such while on the experience. 

• Safety Information: On the day of your experience, participants will receive a short Safety Briefing relevant to the day’s activities. 

• Mobile Phones / Photographic Equipment: Whilst riding on the footplate, participants are prohibited from, other interactive mobile devices, and photographic equipment. Opportunities for photographs are available once the locomotive has come to a stand and is secured by the crew. 

• We will permit you to transfer the place to someone else yourself, under the same conditions, but you must advise us of the details immediately when they are known. 

• We reserve the right to terminate, without refund, your footplate ride experience if the participant is deemed unsafe on the day. We reserve the right to cancel a footplate ride experience in the event of circumstances beyond our control, but we will provide an alternate date. 

• Locomotives will be used from the current fleet available and cannot be specified in advance.