It's every young boy's dream to be at the controls of a real live steam engine; to feel the power of steam as it surges through the locomotive bringing it to life; to feel the heat of the fire box on your face and that special smell of oil and steam so evocative of a steam engine.

The SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY can make it possible for you to fulfil this dream, or for a relative, friend or colleague.

The FOOTPLATE EXPERIENCE will involve not more than 4 persons. You "book on" from 8a.m. onwards (depends how good you are at getting up early in the mornings!), but not later than 10a.m. when you join the crew of the engine to help prepare it for the day's activities. The driver and fireman will take you through a short safety briefing before carrying on with the preparations. Two people at a time travel on the footplate with the driver and fireman. Whilst one will experience what it is like to be a fireman, the other will take the regulator of the engine. The other participant's travel on 'the cushions' with the guard to await their turn. The four participants change over regularly during the day so that everyone has equal time on the footplate.

A lunch break takes place at Totnes. A packed lunch is suggested, but tea and coffee making facilities are available.

The day's activities will be concluded at about 4.40p.m. It will entail three round trips of the full line. Our regular service trains continue to run on most of these days and participants will see the single line tokens being exchanged with the signalman at Staverton where the public train will be passed.

Participants must be over the age of 18 years, and be fit and healthy. You will need to wear old clothes and stout shoes. We will supply a Dustcoat and Gloves

If the dates you're interested in are fully booked then please contact us to find out the current situation. You can also book one of our Steam Footplate Experience courses as a present for your Family and Friends for just £350. If you are interested in either of these offers please contact Marina on 01364 642338 (+44 UK) or e-mail FootPlate Experience.

Note: prices in pounds sterling and include UK Valued Added Tax at the current rate of 17½%