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| Drive a steam locomotive |
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The West Somerset Railway offers a range of one and two day courses to realise your ambition and make long held dreams become reality.
Experience the feel of a working steam locomotive as you join the team on the footplate, shovel coal into the firebox, blow the whistle, open the regulator and feel the power.
Treat someone special (even yourself) to the thrill of a lifetime learning what it feels like to be a real fireman and engine driver. A really special present or excellent Corporate Hospitality.
With twenty miles of stunning Somerset countryside and coastal scenery and challenging gradients there is something for everyone from the novice to the enthusiast.
Our Steam Engineman Courses are designed for moderately fit men and women (over 18) to experience aspects of the railway unseen by many passengers. Depending on your choice of course you will learn how to prepare a locomotive, the principles of working a steam locomotive, signalling, braking, safety, driving and firing. Guided by an experienced West Somerset Railway instructor you will haul a train of coaches or freight wagons along part of the longest preserved line in the Country.
Enjoy a real treat yourself or give the perfect surprise gift voucher.
Please note only course participants may travel on the train.
A choice of courses is offered.
Prices and details below are for courses in 2012.
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| Taster Course |
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A half-day practical introduction to the mysteries of the steam engine on the Bishop Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren section. You will experience using the regulator and firing the locomotive. Locomotive only - no coaches or wagons are used on this course. The course starts at Bishops Lydeard signal box at either 9.30am or 1.30pm and takes between three and four hours.
The cost is £210 per person.
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| Stage One |
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The first course is two days and has theoretical and practical elements. Numbers are limited to a maximum of six participants to ensure as much experience as possible.
Day One has talks and demonstrations on safety, making steam and boiler management, locomotive operation and signalling theory meaning you have the best possible information for Day Two. The day includes visits to the signalbox, locomotive sheds and workshops.
Day Two starts at 7.30pm to prepare the locomotive for the day’s work including oiling up and lighting the fire. Watch as the steam that you've created brings the loco to life. The climax of the day's proceedings is three round trips to Blue Anchor hauling an empty passenger train. You will have one trip firing and the other driving and spend the other trips learning about the other end of the business with the Guard. The day ends with disposal of the locomotive and certificate presentation for completing the course successfully.
This two day course costs £450 per head.
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| Stage Two |
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The Stage Two course is a practical one day course for 6 people and expands the knowledge that the participant gained while doing a Stage One.
First preparing the locomotive you will then haul a freight train from Minehead to Williton and back, driving one way and firing the other. When not firing and driving you will travel with the Guard on a restored brake van and learn about how his job differs from a normal passenger train while the other participants have their turn on the footplate. The day ends with disposal of the locomotive and presentation of certificates for successfully completing the course.
The cost of this one day course is £475 per person.
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| Stage Three |
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For those who have completed a Stage One Course this course gives more practical experience for six participants.
With the long and steep climb to Crowcombe Heathfield on the way from Bishops Lydeard to Williton hauling an empty passenger train, can you rise to the challenge as you fire one way and drive the other?
The cost of this course is £475 per person.
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| Stage Four |
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For those who have completed Stages One, Two and Three, put all your steam experiences together for this most challenging of the West Somerset Railway Steam Engineman Courses.
Two full round trips from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard (or vice versa) hauling empty coaches to a normal working timetable perhaps, between service trains (depending on available dates).
Four participants are taken on this course for two round trips on the line. Lunch is included in the price
The cost of this is £795 per person.
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Full details on official website  |
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| To book or to ask any questions please telephone 01643 704996 |
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| The railway reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any course or to refuse any person(s) who may affect the safe running of the course. |
| This is an unofficial web site and the above details are taken from the official WSR publication and are provided for information only. Please check with the Railway on 01643 704996 for any changes to the above details. The information contained on this page was correct at time of uploading. |
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