TOUR INFORMATION

Footplate Experience

Spend an unforgettable morning, working alongside the crew of an historic steam locomotive.

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Duration

6

Hours

Price
from

Adult

$

490

〜

$

〜

-

Child

$

〜

$

〜

-

Family

$

〜

$

〜

-

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Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this tour is not scheduled to run until January 2021. For tours between 22 September 2020 and 2 January 2021, please check out our Rack and Gorge and Raft and Steam packages.

This exclusive half-day experience gives you the chance to work alongside our crew on the footplate, as the train takes passengers on their return journey from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril.

Your day will begin with a safety briefing and induction and a full briefing on the locomotive from your fellow crew members. Dressed in your overalls and cap, you’ll work alongside the crew to prepare the train for the day’s journey. Help move the locomotive from our workshops at Carswell Park to Queenstown Station, where our passengers will board the train, and have your photograph taken with the crew before your departure.

You’ll travel from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril and return, working alongside the crew on the footplate and helping with all aspects of the train’s operation throughout the journey. On return to Queenstown Station, you join the post-tour debrief, and have the chance to report on your day’s experience as a member of the West Coast Wilderness Railway crew.

Your Footplate Experience also includes a rail worker’s lunch pack, complete with your own flask, mug and packed lunch, and a gift bag to take home with you.

Highlights

Help prepare an historic steam locomotive for the day’s journey.
Work and travel alongside the crew on the locomotive footplate.
Assist with all aspects of the train’s operation, and debrief with the crew at the end of your journey.
Travel from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril, climbing the 1:16 gradient over the Rinadeena Saddle before descending through the spectacular King River Gorge, under the power of the Abt rack and pinion drive system.

Tour inclusions

A rail workers lunch pack, complete with flask, mug, morning tea and packed lunch.
Framed photo with the locomotive and your fellow crew.
A personal gift bag, containing your driver’s cap, tin cup and guidebook
Loan of overalls and all safety equipment.

Bookings

Bookings are essential for the Footplate Experience. Please contact us on 03 6471 0100 to make your booking.
Bookings must be made at least one week in advance
Full payment must be received at the time of booking

Additional information

The Footplate Experience is available for one participant per journey, per day.
Participants must be aged 18 years or older.
Consumption of alcohol or narcotics prior to or during experience is strictly prohibited.
Strong, enclosed flat boots or shoes, preferably with ankle support, must be worn.
All other protective clothing and equipment is supplied.
Participants are advised that in the event of unforeseen circumstances, the WCWR reserves the right to relocate the participant from the footplate to a passenger carriage.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway is closed on Christmas Day and the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.
Prices and timetable are subject to change without notice.
Bookings are essential.

Departure

The Footplate Experience departs from and returns to Queenstown Station, 1 Driffield Street, Queenstown NOTE: This tour is only available on morning departures of the Rack and Gorge tour from Queenstown.