Steam Engineman Taster Courses

Further information about your day

Taster courses are available for either a morning or afternoon course the following is an outline of what you can expect on your half day course with us. 

Steam Enginemen Course Taster 

For those with a ticket that indicates a Morning start at 09:15 we will have a total of 4 Participants your morning will look something like this.

09:15 - 09:30 Participants gather at Bishops Lydeard and board the brake van 
09:30 - 09:40 Locomotive & brake van depart for Norton Fitzwarren 
09:40 - 10:00 Discussion of locomotive’s controls 
10:00 - 12:30 Participants drive and fire the locomotive 
12:30 - 12:40 Locomotive & brake van depart for Bishops Lydeard 
12:40 - 12:45 Final Thoughts and Certificates 

 
For those with a ticket that indicates an afternoon start time at 13:15 we will have 6 Participants your schedule will look something like this: 

13:15 - 13:30 Participants gather at Bishops Lydeard and board the brake van 
13:30 - 13:40 Locomotive & brake van depart for Norton Fitzwarren 
13:40 - 14:00 Discussion of locomotive’s controls 
14:00 - 17:00 Participants drive and fire the locomotive 
17:00 - 17:10 Locomotive & brake van depart for Bishops Lydeard 
17:10 - 17:15 Final thoughts and Certificates

Please note that the tickets are either morning OR afternoon sessions you will not be required for both. 

Steam Enginemen Course Taster 

The meeting point is outside Bishops Lydeard signal box at 09:15 or 13:15.

Only 2 participants at a time will be allowed on the footplate. When participants are not on the footplate they will be travelling in the brake van with the guard and other participants.

Before the course

What to bring 
• Enriched cotton overalls (not polyester - it melts) or clothes you don’t mind getting dirty 
• Layers of clothing to keep warm or cool as required 
• An old coat will be useful if rain is forecast 
• Strong boots/shoes 
• Camera 
• A high visibility vest will be provided 

Emergencies 

In the event of an emergency with the locomotive or train, follow the instructions of the locomotive crew or any other WSR Staff 

Safety 

Please remember we are all here to enjoy our day 
Please always follow instructions from any member of WSR staff 
Please feel free to ask any questions with your instructors on the day 
You must not consume alcohol or non-prescription drugs during the 9 hours preceding your visit and during your visit 

Friends of participants are welcome to visit the station and take photographs, please note only course participants may travel on the train. 

We hope you enjoy your visit to the West Somerset Railway 

Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 01643 7004996

Terms and Conditions

TICKET TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. This ticket is issued subject to the Rules and Regulations of the West Somerset Railway PLC. Full details are available on request. 
2. The West Somerset Railway reserve the right to cancel a Steam Engineman Course if the minimum number of bookings per experience is not reached. 
3. Please check your tickets as mistakes cannot be rectified. 
4. It is the responsibility of the ticket holder to ascertain whether a service has been cancelled and the date and time of any rearranged service (this includes Diesel substitutions). If a service is cancelled or rescheduled, we will use reasonable endeavours to notify ticket holders of the cancellation once we have received the relevant authorisation from the West Somerset Railway PLC. Please note that we cannot guarantee that ticket holders will be informed of such cancellation before the date of travel. Notices of changes to services will appear on our website as soon as possible and will also be notified on social media.
5. The management reserves the right to refuse admission should patrons breach any Rules and Regulations of the West Somerset Railway PLC. The management may on occasions have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of the patrons. 
6. A £5 administration fee per booking will be charged for any subsequent booking alteration. No refunds will be given once tickets are issued. The Management cannot be held responsible for any tickets which are lost or stolen. West Somerset Railway PLC reserves the right to cancel ticket bookings which it reasonably suspects to have been made fraudulently. 
7. The West Somerset Railway PLC operates a No Smoking policy this includes e-cigarettes. 
8. The unauthorized use of photographic and recording equipment for public use is prohibited.
9. The West Somerset Railway PLC accepts no responsibility for any personal property. 
10. Ticket holders consent to filming and sound recording as visitors. 
11. If a service is rescheduled, ticket holders will be offered tickets to the rescheduled service, equivalent to the face value of the ticket. If a service is       cancelled, ticket holders will be offered travel on an alternative service (subject to availability) up to the value on the ticket.
12. Purchase of a ticket does not guarantee a seat unless otherwise stated. 
13. All of these terms and conditions are governed by English Law. 
14. The ticket holder must comply with all relevant statutes, safety announcements and West Somerset Railway PLC regulations whilst visiting the railway. 
15. Breach of any of these conditions or any unacceptable behaviour likely to cause damage, nuisance or injury shall enable the railway to refuse to carry you as a passenger.
16. Tickets may be restricted to a maximum number per person. We reserve the right to cancel tickets purchased in excess of this number.