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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 are for courses in 2009.
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. Also included with this course is a free years membership of the West Somerset Railway Association and two Rover tickets so you can enjoy a days travel on the railway at your leisure.
The cost is £195.00 (deposit £50.00)
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 tarts 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 £395.00 per head (£50.00 deposit) which includes lunch and refreshments on both days, course notes including detailed diagrams and VAT plus one year’s free membership of the West Somerset Railway Association.
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 £285.00 (£50.00 deposit) including lunch and VAT.
For those who have completed a Stage One Course this course gives more practical experience for six participants.
Starting with locomotive preparation ending with disposal, enjoy a full day with the power of steam on the West Somerset Railway.
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 £285.00 (£50.00 deposit) per person including lunch and VAT
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 £395.00 (£50.00 deposit) and this includes lunch and VAT. For the ultimate experience why not book the whole day for yourself at £1350.00 (£100.00 deposit).
The Stage Four Plus is an evening Course. You will drive from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead or vice-versa. This course has places for two people and an evening meal will be provided before you leave. Two Day Rover Tickets will be included in the price for a trip on the line at your leisure. The Course begins at 6pm and should be back to Minehead for 9.30pm for a unique evening Steam Enginemen Course. The cost of this course, which includes a meal, two Rover Tickets and VAT, is £285.00 (£50.00 deposit).
A Stage Six gives the participant who has completed Stages One to Four the chance to Drive, Fire and Shunt the West Somerset Railway's Heritage Freight Train on a recreation of the Pick-up Freight train so typical of the Steam worked freights over many Branch lines. Take the wagons to the various yards on the line on the way from Bishops Lydeard and pick them up on the return to Minehead. A 7.30am start with a 6pm finish. The Cost of this Course is £395.00 including a meal and VAT.S
All deposits are non-refundable
Cancelled bookings are subject to the following charges:
· £40.00 if cancelled more than 4 weeks before the booked date
· 25% of fee between 21 & 28 days before the booked date
· 50% of fee between 7 & 20 days before the booked date
· 100% of fee when less than 7 days before the booked date
All cancellations must be in writing
You are strongly advised to purchase Cancellation Insurance.
Bookings can be made by sending the
completed booking form to:
The West Somerset Railway plc
Dept SEC
The Railway Station
MINEHEAD
Somerset
TA24 5BG
You can pay the full amount on booking or a deposit. Balance of payment must be made four weeks prior to the course date. All deposits are non-refundable.
Telephone bookings can be paid for by credit/debit card or can be held provisionally for seven days. If payment by cheque or postal order are not received within this time bookings will be cancelled.
Dates of courses can be arranged either when booking or if the course is a present, a gift voucher valid for up to 18 months, can be sent to the recipient for them to arrange convenient dates. Once a date has been chosen, alterations can be made up to one month before the course.
To book or to ask any questions please telephone 01643 704996
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.
The information contained on this page was correct at time of uploading. Whilst endeavouring to keep it up to date we reserve the right to ammend it without notice.
Note: 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.
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Fully booked courses are suffixed with *
Please ring 01643 704996 for availability and costs
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| | Taster
| | 30 May
| | 6 June
| | 20 June
| | 27 June
| | 11 July
| | 18 July
| | 5 September
| | 12 September
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| | Stage One
| | 15-16 February
| | 19-20 February
| | 22-23 February
| | 5-6 March
| | 8-9 March
| | 26-27 April
| | 14-15 May
| | 15-16 October
| | 18-19 October
| | 2-3 November
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| | Stage Two
| | 13 March
| | 12 October
| | 9 November
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| | Stage Three
| | 3 April
| | 6 April
| | 9 October
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| | Stage Four
| | 8 April
| | 17 April
| | 29 April
| | 6 May
| | 11 May
| | 12 May*
| | 7 October
| | 21 October
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| | Stage Four Plus
| | dates not yet available
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| | Stage Six
| | 20 April
| | 24 April
| | 8 May
| | 6 November
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Steam Engineman Courses