There is nothing quite like being on the footplate of a steam locomotive.  As soon as you strike a match and light a fire in one, they come alive – the warmth from the fire, the smell of the hot steam oil, the sense of quiet power at your fingertips as you open the regulator and they start to move gently off. 

On one of our Steam Driver Experience Courses you will experience all of this.  We operate these on selected dates through the year and over the course of the day three people will each get a turn to be the Driver, Fireman and Guard of a train on its journey around our line through the Cornish countryside.  The experience starts at 9am when you will be met by the loco crew and initially you will take the loco out on its own to gain familiarity of the controls before then coupling up to a train of China Clay wagons which used to work on this line carrying Cornish China Clay in steam days and driving and firing a trip pulling the wagons up and down our line.

Our line is steep and therefore presents a challenge to all of our loco crew every time they take a train out – but equally, it is a challenge, and there are few better feelings than coming up our line as the Fireman with the loco merrily making steam knowing that you have got the fire just right, or driving down beautifully and smoothly knowing you have got the vacuum brakes just right so you can watch the countryside slide by listening to the engine and the train and sharing the moment with the rest of the footplate crew.  Our expert loco crew will be on hand at all times to pass on their knowledge and advice and explain what to do to make sure that you can also share in the magic of working with a steam engine to take a train up and down our line.

Steam loco work does require a degree of physical strength and guidance on appropriate clothing etc will be issued before the experience, but our footplate crew are on hand all day to assist with anything you do not want to do.

We are currently confirming our timetable or 2025 and the dates for the Driver Experience Courses, which will be on Saturdays spread through the year, will be finalised shortly.  Currently we are offering vouchers for sale for these courses for Christmas presents and we will be in touch in the New Year to arrange a mutually convenient date for your course.