Titans of Steam: Footplate Tours

A truly unique opportunity for an intimate encounter with some of the most iconic locomotives* in the UK today.

Visits begin in the Viewing Gallery at Darlington Locomotive Works, accessed from within the Hopetown Darlington site.

You will travel the short journey to The 1861 Shed by bus and will be met by a guide to complete a footplate tour BR Standard Class 2 78018 (and other locomotives if available).

You will then be taken back to Darlington Locomotive Works to take part in a footplate tour of A3 Class 60103 (Flying Scotsman),A1 Class 60163 (Tornado) and the A4 Class 60007 (Sir Nigel Gresley).

These three titans will be here on the following dates:
Flying Scotsman: 20/09/2025 – 21/09/2025
Sir Nigel Gresley: 23/09/2025 – 28/09/2025
Tornado: 20/09/2025 – 05/10/2025

You will then head back onto the Hopetown Darlington site to view the remaining locomotives, including the NER Class T2 63395 / LNER Q6, the NER Class E1 69023 / LNER J72 and mighty Class 37 D6898 (plus more!)

Please allow 90-120 minutes for the tour, and ensure you arrive at Hopetown in plenty of time to cross the site ready for your Footplate Tour experience.

Please note that these tours involve lots of walking, climbs into and out of a mini bus, and steep, physical climbs up to the locomotive footplates (driver’s cabs) and back down again.

Delivered by: Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council & Stockton Borough Council.

Major Funders: Arts Council England, Tees Valley, Funded by UK Government

With thanks to:
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust
Darlington Railway Preservation Society
North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group
National Railway Museum/Science Museum Group/Locomotion
Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust

The line up may be subject to change due to operational and volunteer availability reasons.