Driver Experiences:

Bodmin Railway

Nearest train station: Bodmin Parkway.

Bodmin Railway stops at Bodmin Parkway station, but you’ll need to check times. They also run a cafe overlooking the line at Bodmin Parkway, so it’s easy to while away time here.

Railholiday have a long history of friendship with Bodmin Railway, as our carriage Harvey of Hayle was bought from the railway, and we worked on Harvey in the siding at Bodmin Parkway before the goods shed was built.

We think the words of Bodmin Railway sum up their driver experience perfectly:

“There is nothing quite like being on a footplate of a steam locomotive. As soon as you strike a match and light a fire in one, they come alive – the warmth from the fire, the smell of the hot steam oil, the sense of quiet power at your fingertips as you open the regulator and they start to move gently off.”

Please check website for booking terms, prices and availability.

Telephone: 01208 735 55

Lappa Valley

This is a friendly narrow gauge railway, with lots of interest for all the family. The nearest train station is Truro, then catch a bus (no. 85 to Newquay) get off at St Newlyn East and it’s about an 18 minute walk from there.

Lappa Valley’s engines may be small, but they have all the power and excitement of a larger engine (and plenty of dials and levers!). There’s both steam and diesel to try. A big tick for the bucket list by booking one and great opportunity to see the railway from a truly unique vantage point. Their experienced drivers will give you an education into the art of driving a locomotive. And you couldn’t wish for a friendlier team.

Please check website for prices and availability.

Lappa Valley also offer a discount for Railholiday guests on their usual entry tickets, so you can bring friends and family to make a day of it. We send out the discount code to guests who have booked in our welcome letter.

All aboard at Lappa! While you drive your steam train, your family and friends will be more than entertained by all Lappa has to offer

Plym Valley Railway

Plym Valley Railway is just under 15 miles from St Germans, so our closest preserved railway. There are regular trains from St Germans to Plymouth. Services can be checked using National Rail Enquiries Here. The railway offer comprehensive instructions for getting there by public transport on their visiting information page.

Plym Valley is another of our friendly local railways, and one with a strong Railholiday link, as many of the wheels and chassis under our carriages came from Plym Valley.

Their Steam Driver Experience is perfect will teach you in the art of firing and driving one of their steam locomotives. The Driver Experience is undoubtedly a great gift or activity for anyone who wants to see what it’s like to be a driver on a heritage railway. Makes the perfect package for a Railholiday!

Please check website for booking terms, prices and availability.

https://www.plymrail.co.uk/drive-a-train

South Devon Railway

Distance to Totnes from St Germans – about 45 minutes by train

Totnes main line station on the Great Western Main Line and is close to South Devon Railway’s station at Totnes Riverside. There are regular services from St Germans to Totnes. Click here for timetable.

From Totnes main line station; follow the signs to the South Devon Railway station. This is via a footpath of around 450m.

In the words of the South Devon website: “Experience the thrill of driving and firing a real Great Western Railway steam locomotive or taking the controls of a heritage British Railways main line diesel engine, under the watchful eye of our experienced footplate crews.”

Please check website for booking terms, prices and availability.

https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/experiences/drive-a-train

Footplate Experience

Dartmouth Steam Railway

The nearest train station is Paignton (change at Newton Abbott). The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs from Paignton station.

Like all the others listed, this line is a very attractive one, skirting along the coast to the historic town of Dartmouth. Travelling on the footplate of a heritage steam locomotive is a great way to experience it.

Please check their website for booking terms, prices and availability.

https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/footplate-experience