The first ever Young Engineers Experience Day will be held at Bredgar Railway on Saturday 30th May 2026.
We are frequently asked if we can allow youngsters onto the footplate or into our main workshop and the answer is always NO. There are age limits for volunteers on railways / workshops for excellent safety reasons. Notwithstanding this we are passionate about giving young people the opportunity to experience the world of engineering and showing them how things work in a direct, hands on way. We have teamed up with Chris Vine of Peter’s Railway to provide a very unique and exciting day that will allow an exceptional, hands on experience.
The day will start by arriving at 9am with an introduction to steam locomotives and railways with a captivating interactive talk by Chris Vine. The “students” will then be split into their age specific groups. Each group will have no more than 6 children and their accompanying adults. Each group will be assigned a BWLR volunteer leader, who will remain with your group throughout the day.
There are 3 areas of experience and everyone will have time to enjoy what is offered in each area.
Area 1 – Warren Wood Station. In this area you will be able to enjoy a footplate ride on a steam locomotive. The student and one adult will join the driver on the footplate and leave the station, over the points. Wait for the signal and points change and return through the station past a different platform over a level crossing and points, before waiting for the signal to return to the starting platform. This are also allows being in the signal box to change the signals and points for the locomotive giving footplate rides.
Area 2 – Turntable. In this area the student will be able to enjoy a ride in the cab of the diesel locomotive. Driving off the turntable to the footpath crossing and then returning to the turntable where your fellow students will turn you around to face the other direction. Each student will be able to ride and operate the turntable.
Area 3 – Workshop. In this area the students will be able to:
- See a historical lathe in operation (from a safe distance),
- Enter the pit to look under a locomotive and see the cylinders and brakes
- See the working of the locomotives up close and help with a little clean and polish
- See and assist with tube “cleaning”
- Create a thread in a nut and on a bar. Install a lock nut.
and possibly more
At 9:45, 11:30 and 14:00 each group will go to a different area.
At 11:00 we will break for refreshments for 30 minutes. Hot and Cold drinks + fruit/biscuit/cake
At 12:30 you will collect your personal packed lunch and catch the train to the woods to picnic among the trees and around a camp fire. Lunch break is 90 minutes during this time the train will run during allowing multiple trips if you wish. At 13:45 we will return to Warren Wood to be take to the last area.
At 15:00 you are welcome to stay and watch us put the locomotives to bed!
15:00 – 15:45 – thank you and goodbye.
The cost of the day will be
- One Adult and one Child. £150
- One extra adult £25
- Two adults and two children £235
Maximum 2 adults per child. Every child must have one responsible adult. Note this is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds, although age is not the primary factor – an ability be attentive and have a keen interest is paramount for enjoyment and safety.
21 days before the event you will be emailed with the lunch selection which needs to be confirmed to us at least 10 days in advance. Lunch is likely to include a selection of hot and cold drink, with 4 of the following : sandwiches with different fillings, fruit, crisps, cake, sausage roll, scotch egg, chocolate.
Note: a minimum number of bookings are required for this day to proceed. If we fail to achieve that number we reserve the right to cancel and refund your money. We also have a limit and thus early booking is advised. Due to the organisation of this day with volunteers and staff, bookings will close on Friday 1st May 2026 or when all tickets are sold.
Tickets for this day will open on Wednesday 17th December.