Exbury Footplate Experience 2012
Learn to become a driver of a Steam Locomotive! Ideal for the first time driver. £495
Available on most days in March and April and from June to early November (certain dates will be unavailable due to events). The Footplate Experience is not available during the month of May.
The Exbury Steam Railway was opened in Summer 2001, and extends along a challenging 1 ¼ mile track with bends and gradients to negotiate. The engines are coal-fired steam and the track 12 ¼’’ gauge. Whilst concentrating on acquiring driving skills, you will also have time to take in the scenery on this most picturesque of railways. You will drive the engine over a bridge, through a tunnel & across a pond in the Summer Lane Garden, a summer flowering garden planted with huge swathes of herbaceous perennials; drive along the top of the Rock Garden (the largest in Europe) & across a viaduct to Exbury North Halt in the American Garden before heading back to Exbury Central.
The Exbury Footplate Experience gives maximum time in the hotseat (you will understand the meaning of this by the end of the day!), with up to eight return trips scheduled. This gives a driving distance of 10 miles, and over 3 hours working the regulator. Unlike other Footplate Experiences, Exbury offers a one to one experience – the Footplate is yours and yours alone! (though of course, your tutor will be on-hand at all times . . .)
Before arriving at Exbury for your Footplate Experience you will have been sent an Exbury Railway rule book to help you become acquainted with the engines, rolling stock and general “rules of the line”.
All timings are approximate.
| 8.30am | Arrival – Mug of tea and introduction to the Exbury Steam Railway team in the Engine Shed at Exbury Central. Health and Safety briefing, plus information about the history of the line, and plans for the day. |
| 9.00am | Assistance in preparation of locomotive and rolling stock. Introduction to the principles of a Steam Locomotive. You will help to take on water, use the signals and operate the points. |
| 10am–12.30pm | Four trips driving a Steam Engine along the Rhododendron Line – full explanation of all the techniques required to fire and control the engine. |
| 12.30pm–1.30pm | Please feel free to bring your own lunch to enjoy in the Engine Shed with the Railway Team (or enjoy refreshments in the nearby Mr Eddy’s Restaurant)* |
| 1.30pm–4pm | Additional four trips along the Rhododendron Line, to hone techniques acquired during the morning! Learn how to ease the engine to stop at the correct place at Exbury North Station, and feel the engine respond to you as you caress the regulator. |
| 4pm–4.30pm | Assist with uncoupling the locomotive and disposal. Mug of tea in the Engine Room Mess. |
| 4.30pm–5.00pm | Debrief; presentation of certificate and Exbury Steam Railway souvenir. |
Cost £495 per person, inclusive of VAT.
Your Footplate Experience includes x 2 same day, free tickets to Exbury Gardens for friends and family, so they can enjoy the Gardens, railway, Engine Shed Exhibition and watch you on the footplate! Your party are very welcome to take photographs and videos.
PURCHASING THE FOOTPLATE EXPERIENCE AS A GIFT:
Please advise if you wish to purchase the Exbury Footplate Experience as a gift, and we can arrange for a presentation card to be forwarded.
TO FIND OUT MORE CHECK ON AVAILABLE DATES:
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Footplate Experience, please speak to our Railway Team, tel: 023 8089 2898. For bookings, please call the number listed below.
Testimonials: "I have just completed the Footplate Experience on your railway. It was purchased by my best friend as a 50th birthday present. He and my wife were both in the Gardens and rode on the train during the day. I am writing because I felt I needed to say thank you to all your railway staff who made my day so enjoyable. In particular, Ian Wilson who helped me settle in for the day and made it easy for my wife and friend to get the best out of their part of the day. Also to Brian who was my instructor for the day. His quiet, confident manner and instruction was much appreciated. The organisation of the day gave me a good view of how everything works and the chance to spend most of the day driving the train round the garden was a highlight, not just the once but often enough to be able to get a feel of the engine and the ups and downs of the track. Once again thank you to all involved, it was an excellent and memorable day."Mr M W, Bedfordshire, June 2009
"I just wanted to say a very big thank-you to you and all the team at Exbury Gardens for the wonderful day I had on the Footplate last week. It was absolutely fabulous! I learned a lot, and really appreciated my instructor's patience and willingness to teach, and above all else to help me enjoy the day fully. I also really appreciated the train crew making my wife feel very welcome too. It was such an amazing opportunity!! Please pass on my thanks to everyone there, it's a day I'll never forget!"Mr S F, June 2010
The Exbury Footplate Experience is available on the following dates during 2012, subject to boiler inspections:
March 10th - 31st
April 1st - 5th, 10th-30th
May NOT AVAILABLE
June 1st - 30th
July 1st - 30th
August 1st - 31st
September 1st - 30th
October 1st - 5th, 8th-26th
Please call the Booking Office on 023 8024 5750.
Booking forms are available on-site or can be posted to you.
Exbury Gardens Steam Railway “Footplate Experience”, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1AZ
BOOKING CONDITIONS:
Full payment should be received prior to the “Footplate Experience” taking place. Credit cards are accepted. Cheques should be made payable to Exbury Gardens Limited. Minimum age for the Exbury Footplate Experience is 18. You need to be reasonably fit and in good overall health as time spent on the train can be hard work! No alcohol is allowed on the day and participation cannot continue if attendants report under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Please report in appropriate clothing and stout footwear (training shoes are not acceptable). Wearing of overalls is recommended, and gloves at certain times.