Workshop – How Steam Locomotives Work
May 10th, 29th, 31st.
June 1st, 14th.
July 26th.
August 2nd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.
Come and have a go at driving a steam locomotive!
These three-hour workshops give you a chance – in a small group – to learn more about how a steam loco works. Two of our friendly loco drivers/fitters with in-depth experience of building, maintaining and driving locos will take you through the way a steam engine works.
Participants will get to help prepare a steam loco, see it in action behind the scenes (at our historic Boston Lodge workshops), receive information on ‘how it works’ and then have a go at firing and driving in the yard!
It’s all very friendly and relaxed… an ideal experience if you are looking for something a little different. This makes an ideal gift for anyone with even a passing interest in locos, heritage, engineering or simply the challenge of driving an unusual vehicle.
With notice, we can also accommodate groups and may be able to put on private workshops on a date to suit for your family, work colleagues or social group. Please get in touch to find out more.
Please Note: the nature of the workshop site and the locos themselves means that attendees must be able to walk across uneven surfaces and climb up and down onto the locos.
We ask all attendees to read the information on the Workshop webpage carefully and watch the Safety Briefing video, before booking your ticket/s.
Unless specifically advertised all workshops and tours are for adults (16+).
What do I need to know before I come?
Boston Lodge is a working engineering site with rails and uneven surfaces throughout, often muddy in places and this is combined with frequent vehicle and train movements. For safety reasons it is therefore only suitable for people who are fully mobile without assistance and who’s sight is sufficient for them to see dangers themselves. Please watch this safety briefing before booking as it will help you understand what the site is like.
Unless specifically advertised all workshops and tours are for adults (16+).
We are hoping to film some of our tours and make them available on the website so those who cannot attend because the site is unsuitable for them will be able to find out more online.
Getting here
You will be met at Harbour Station by an Event Leader who will give you an initial safety briefing before being taken to Boston Lodge on a scheduled train service. Car parking for our visitors is available in the fenced area at the end of the nearby Llyn Bach car park, a short walk away from Porthmadog Harbour Station. Parking is free for Railway passengers in this section only. The remainder of this car park is council run and the appropriate fee should be paid. (see map) Disabled badge holders may park at the station and should make themselves known to a station host on arrival.
What to wear
Please wear warm clothes and bring a waterproof, the weather can be unpredictable. Please wear stout, preferably leather, walking boots. Absolutely no sandals or trainers.