Steam locomotive footplate experiences

These experiences must be booked in advance

When you were a child, did you dream of driving a train, or riding on the footplate? Here’s your chance to turn your childhood ambition into reality – with these great experience packages at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon.

Full steam ahead! steam train driving experience

For just £250, you can enjoy an exclusive 'one-to-one' half-day session, spending a morning behind the scenes of a working steam train. Treat yourself – or purchase it as an ideal gift.

Come in bright and early with the locomotive team to 'fire up' the engine, and prepare for the day ahead. Learn about the site operations and crossing signalling, then – under the guidance of our experienced team – drive a steam locomotive with passenger coach for approximately one kilometre along our track.

You can invite up to four guests to travel on the train. And at the end of your half-day session, you'll be issued with a commemorative certificate.

Full Steam Ahead! is held all year by arrangement. For insurance purposes, you must be aged between 21 and 70.

Footplate ride

• Enjoy a return journey from Collection to Goods
• Participants must be aged 18 or over
• £10 per person
• Available on all passenger steaming days, except our gala events

30-minute driver experience session

• A one-to-one taster of firing and driving a locomotive
• Participants must be aged over 21 and under 70
• £50 per person
• Available on selected dates only

To book, telephone 01388 777999 or email shildon@nrm.org.uk