Packaging Options
All orders are sent in plain packaging so as not to ruin the surprise.
Premium Gift Pack
Our Premium Gift Pack includes a stylish gift box, which holds your personalised gift voucher and your activity voucher guide booklet. The premium choice.
£4.99 (+ £3.95 shipping charge)
Standard Gift Pack
Our Standard Gift Pack comes with a smart envelope that includes your personalised gift voucher and your activity voucher guide booklet.
Included in the £3.95 shipping charge
E Voucher
Our E Voucher is an instant voucher delivered by email, with your personalised email message and a downloadable .pdf of your personalised gift voucher.
FREE
Extra 20% off e-vouchers under £250! Use code 20GIFT at checkout! - T&Cs apply
What's Included
- Drive a steam engine on the main line
- Join the crew on the footplate with hands on tuition from the experienced Driver and Fireman
- Accompany the crew as they take a passenger train over the line
- Take a turn at driving the steam engine only, one way over the line (around two and a half miles of driving)
- Experience last approximately one and a half hours
- Two complimentary day rover vouchers for family and friends to use on the day of your footplate course or another operating day
- Certificate of completion and a fridge magnet as mementos of your day
- Sessions are run on an exclusive basis limited to one person per course
What Can I Expect
Drive a steam train at East Somerset Railway! These footplate experiences will see you driving one of the steam locomotives along East Somerset Railway's main line track. It's time to realise those childhood train driver dreams.
The East Somerset heritage railway is a small and very friendly operation. The main station is at Cranmore, just a few miles beyond Shepton Mallet. This is where you'll meet for your steam train driving experience.
The training leg is done onboard a steam loco passenger service. You'll be on the footplate, travelling with the driver and fireman. They'll show you just what it takes to get these magnificent coal-fired steam locos running. And yes, it is hard work in a hot and dirty environment!
Overalls on, fully briefed and eager, you're ready to go. It's your turn to be at the helm of the steam train, as you drive the full length of the East Somerset Railway. That's about two and a half glorious miles, steaming along in the wonderful Somerset countryside.
It's a fantastic experience. You will get to see first hand exactly what it's like to drive a fully-restored steam locomotive. And it is as fabulous as you'd hope.
What's more, two of your friends and family will be able to join in the atmosphere, as those booked onto the steam train driving experience receive two day rover tickets for guests. These are valid for riding on the regular ESR services all day long, on the day you do your driving experience.
Vouchers to drive a steam train on the East Somerset Railway are available now online. Don't delay, these experiences are hugely popular!
When Is It Available
- Selected dates during the normal running season
- Sessions are generally 10:45-12:15, 12:15-13:45 or 15:15-16:45 (finish times are approximate)
- Due to popularity it is recommended you book well in advance to avoid disappointment
Location
- East Somerset Railway, Cranmore Railway Station, Shepton Mallet
Suitable For
- Minimum age 16
- A good, general level of health and fitness is required
- Participants must be able to climb up and down from the footplate, as well as operate heavy controls
Spectators
- You will receive two complimentary day rover vouchers for family and friends to use on the day of your footplate course or another operating day
- Your family and friends need to show their vouchers at the Ticket Office and they will be exchanged for day rover tickets
- Additional day rover tickets can be purchased on the day if required
Anything Else
- This experience is excluded from additional discount codes and promotions
