The Severn Valley Railway is offering eight lucky visitors the rare chance to drive and fire the magnificent London, Midland and Scottish Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No. 45596 Bahamas.
The opportunity to drive and fire Bahamas will come while it is at the railway to take part in the annual Autumn Steam Gala from Thursday, 19th to Sunday, 22nd September.
On Friday, 30th August, before the gala event, Bahamas will be in operation at the Severn Valley Railway for the first time in more than 30 years, and on that day the eight lucky participants will be able to enjoy their very special footplate experience.
Detailed instructions on how to drive and fire Bahamas will be given by the locomotive’s crew to the enthusiasts living out their childhood dreams.
They will work in pairs as they drive and fire the locomotive for 16 miles, hauling a heavy rake of carriages. As part of their experience package, each participant can bring up to ten guests to travel on the train.
Footplate experiences at the Severn Valley Railway are always popular, and this year has been no exception with bronze level slots sold out, only one or two places left for its silver and gold level days, and diesel footplate experiences sold out for this year as well.
Steam footplate experiences are now on sale for next year, and dates for next year’s diesel footplate experiences will soon be available.
Booking details for the footplate experiences as well as information on all special events at the Severn Valley Railway are available online at svr.co.uk.
We’ve had to put a strict limit on places for this amazing experience, because we’ve only got this one day’s capacity. We expect a swift take up of the offer, and all participants, along with their guest passengers, will be guaranteed an unforgettable day!
Very few of the Jubilee class still survive, and ‘Bahamas’ is rather special as it’s the only one which boasts a double chimney.
Lewis Maddox, the Severn Valley Railway visitor engagement manager
Responses
I am writing this on behalf of my son, (23) who has Autism. His dream is to work on trains.
If he could work on the footplate he it would make his dream come true!
I held at one time a “Steam Ticket” from having driven and fired steam locomotives. However, they were oil fired, so I guess that rules me out ?
45596 Bahamas is owned and operated by the Bahamas Locomotive Society, and new members are welcome.
My very good friend Mike is a steam railway fanatic and would die for the oportunity of working on a live footplate. Fingers crossed
I’d love to be on a steam train and do the plate work as I was a coal miner and a mine fireman
I’ve done before I’d love to do agian..