Drive a Steam Train

Bring your childhood dreams to life as you step onto the footplate of a full-sized, fully operational heritage steam train and take control of the magnificent engine.

A steam train driving experience on the East Lancashire Railway is exactly that. Your chance to drive a real, historic steam train. You’ll learn all about the engineering and controls, spend time practising with our current drivers, firemen and firewomen, and then become a part of the crew yourself.

During this hands-on, intensive, full day experience, we’ll take you behind the scenes on the ELR, showing you places that the general public never gets to see.

You’ll enjoy a hot lunch and then we’ll put you behind the controls of one of our heritage steam engines to fire, guard and drive the train yourself.

Book this once in a lifetime steam train driving experience – an extra special treat for yourself or an unforgettable gift for a loved one.

What’s included

Drive a steam train on the ELR and you’ll:

• Get a full safety briefing with the crew
• Drive for 8 miles and fire a steam train for 8 miles
• Guard for 8 miles and travel as a passenger for 8 miles on a steam train
• Enjoy a hot lunch*
• Join a half-day guided tour behind the scenes of the East Lancashire Railway
• Have plenty of wonderful photo opportunities
• Take home a commemorative certificate
• You are more than welcome to add a guest to join you to travel onboard the carriage, join you at lunch and attend the guided tour.

*One guest allowed per participant. Extra charge of £20.00 per lunch and guided tour.

Dates, times and prices

Our steam train footplate experiences last all day, starting at 8.30am at Bury Bolton Street Station and finishing back there at approximately 5.00pm.

There are no further Drive a Train Experiences planned for 2023. Watch this space for updates on 2024 as and when they become available.

The fine print

If you’re considering our Drive a Steam Train experience, please make sure you read all the details here. A footplate experience can be a labour intensive experience and we want you to enjoy every part of it.

Read our terms and conditions

If you have any questions, just shoot us on email on events@eastlancsrailway.co.uk