Do you dream of running a magnificent, steam driven beam engine?
Learn the art of stoking an 1883 Lancashire boiler and acquire the skills to run one of the original James Watt beam engines at an exclusive ‘Experience Steam’ session.
Group size is strictly limited to 12 places per session, so early booking is recommended.
Please complete the enquiry form to check availability and confirm your place!
As well as helping to stoke the hand fired Lancashire boilers, you will also get the opportunity to run one of the original twin beam engines, built by James Watt & Co. in 1884 and the 1922 Robey Winding Engine previously of Linby Colliery.
You will also enjoy a guided tour around the Pumping Station and the 1879 reservoir. Plus you’ll learn the art of being a blacksmith and working the Papplewick forge.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided and you will receive complimentary membership to the Friends of Papplewick Pumping Station giving you free unlimited access on open days and steaming events for a whole year. It also entitles you to volunteer at Papplewick should you wish to do so.
Outline Programme & Timetable
The aim of the workshop sessions is to afford you the opportunity to enjoy a unique hands on experience. All workshop activities are led by experienced volunteers. The nature of the day requires all participants to heed carefully the instructions of our volunteers at all times to ensure safety.
You are advised to wear comfortable old clothing and boots (a boiler suit is recommended).
Tuition will be in small sub groups. Each group will work on a carousel basis to enable all participants to cover the four main workshop activities and enjoy the broadest range of experience possible on the day.
Friends and Family
Each participant may bring one friend or family member to photograph and video the day’s proceedings.
For a small fee they may join the participants for lunch.
Please note that friends or family may not actively take part in any of the sessions and we ask that they follow the instructions of our volunteers and site staff at all times to ensure safety.
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the recent ‘Experience Steam’ day. I had been really looking forward to it and I was not disappointed; in fact it was more interesting and fun than I had expected. I had expected my wife to get bored and retire to a corner with a book she had brought with her, but no she enjoyed herself and didn’t get the book out of her bag.
So thank you once again for a memorable day and please extend my thanks to the rest of the team, who did so much to make it such a super day.
