Footplate Rides

We’re offering you the chance to go on the footplate and join the crew as they take you on a full round trip of the line. You’ll get to watch what’s involved in operating one of our steam or diesel locomotives, as it hauls today’s passenger service. You’ll need to be physically fit and able to climb up into the cab and be able to stand for the duration of the journey, but you’ll be able to see first hand what it’s like for our volunteer crews.

Approximate duration / distance per round trip: 55 minutes / 6 miles

Please note, this is not a full Driver Experience and you won’t be driving the train.

Footplate Ride experiences are £95 per person.

Footplate ride experiences are typically available on the 12:00 and 14:30 departures from Bitton Station (BS30 6HD), with additional times on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day:

Steam Locomotive – 2026 dates:

February: 18, 21, 22
March: 8, 15, 28
April: 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
May: 2, 3, 4, 10, 16, 17, 24, 25, 27, 30, 31
June: 14, 21, 27, 28
July: 5, 11, 12, 26
August: 2, 5, 9, 15, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, 31
September: 5, 6, 19, 26
October: 4, 11, 18, 24, 25, 28, 31
November: 1

Book a Steam Engine Footplate Ride

Diesel Locomotive – 2026 coming soon

Please note:

Footplate Rides are not a full Driver Experience and you will not be driving the train.
You must be aged 18 years or over, able to stand for up to one hour, be physically fit and be capable of climbing on/off the locomotive to the ground floor level unaided. This maybe up to a 3 metre (10 feet) vertical climb in the event of an emergency evacuation.
You must be able to hear and understand verbal instructions in noisy surroundings, and be able to cope with discomfort, variable temperatures, noise and vibration inherent on a locomotive footplate.
A health and safety declaration must be completed and signed prior to participation.
The experience is limited to one person per time slot.
This activity may be unsuitable for those with some disabilities, particularly where these affect mobility, concentration, dexterity and co-ordination. If you believe this may be a factor for the participant, please contact us in advance to ensure the activity is suitable and to avoid any disappointment on the day.