01 Jan GWSR – Silver Footplate Steam Driving Experience
Some people get a train set; fewer people get a chance to enjoy the real thing – but you can do just that
A Footplate Experience course on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is something that is sure to thrill and certainly makes a brilliant Christmas, birthday or anniversary gift!
Friday, 28th March
8:30am – 5:30pm
The Silver course runs on selected Fridays, costing just £450. Each participant (max. 12) can be accompanied by up to two guests at £32 each who may travel in the brake coach during the course.
Please note that participants must be over 18 and all guests must be over the age of 16. We are unable to accept children.
The course includes:
- Full English breakfast on arrival in our onsite Cotswold Halt Café for participants and guests
- Explanation of the day’s events and safety briefing
- One and a half round trips between Toddington, Cheltenham, Toddington and then Toddington, Broadway, Winchcombe to Toddington. Broadway, a total of around 42 miles, during which you will fire and drive your steam locomotive over part of the line, hauling up to seven heritage railway carriages, under expert supervision
- Packed lunches for participants and guests
- Signal box tour (participants only)
- Free year’s membership of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for the participant, including a free Rover ticket
- Free GWSR Guide Book
- Commemorative certificate signed by your driver and fireman
- ree On-site parking
Drive & Fire Terms & Conditions:
Please note that to take part in these courses participants must be over 18 years of age and be reasonably fit and agile with normal intellectual abilities, with reasonable hearing and sight (glasses and hearing aids are acceptable) and without any memory impairment. Bear in mind there is physical effort needed, as well as climbing unassisted the 6ft or so on to and off of the footplate: this is a vertical climb using handrails and widely-spaced steps. Participants must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The footplate can be hot and dirty and time spent there can be arduous. Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn; a ‘T’ shirt, shorts and trainers are definitely not acceptable. Overalls or boiler suit are preferable but in all cases it is recommended that clothing made from cotton should be worn next to the skin. Man-made fibres can melt onto the skin if inadvertent contact is made with any of the hot boiler fittings. Stout shoes and boots are needed with safety boots being preferable. A pair of gloves (Canadian rigger style) will be needed when firing and handling the controls.
For more information and to book tickets, please click here