Have you always dreamed of driving a steam engine? Then why not take the opportunity with a half day Footplate Experience Course at the SKLR? You will fire and drive one of our steam locomotives and can bring your family and friends along as guests.

For the course itself, the train will normally be formed of a mix of passenger and freight vehicles. The first trip from Sittingbourne to Kemsley will usually see you travel on the footplate of one of the railway's diesel locomotives. This will give you the opportunity to take a look at the line and to see its features. On arrival at Kemsley Down you will be introduced to the team that you will be working with for the remainder of the course. This will be followed by a tour of the Kemsley Down site and a safety briefing.

The main part of the course will then begin. Our experienced and qualified train crew will consist of two footplate staff and a guard. Your first round trip will be made from Kemsley Down to Sittingbourne with you acting as fireman. This will be followed by a short light engine trip for control familiarisation purposes and either one or two round trips with you driving the engine. You must be at least 18 years of age and in sound health to participate in one of our Footplate Experience Courses. It is essential that you are able to walk without any means of assostance and are able to ascend and descend vertical steps.

You may bring family and friends with you and they are welcome to travel on the train or to remain at Kemsley Down throughout the course. They will be given ample opportunity to take photographs of you driving the engine.

The normal cost of a half-day footplare experience course is £180.00. This charge includes a full years membership of the SKLR, coffee and biscuits and a buffet lunch.

Buffet lunch is served for you and any additional booked guests, for whom a charge of £5.00 a head is made.

Feeling generous? Then why not give a course as a gift to a friend or relative. Gift Certificates will be provided.

Click here to download a copy of the booking form

or phone us on 0871 222 1568

Photographs on this page kindly supplied by Andrew Wilton and feature the Footplate Experience course his wife attended.