Get on Board – Up the Front!

1i4a6934The Mary Valley Rattler are excited to announce a new way to ride on the heritage steam locomotive services. Sunday 3rd November will see the launch of the Footplate Friends Experience where guests can ride in the cab with the drivers. The experience provides people an up close and personal journey on board a heritage steam locomotive.

Mary Valley Rattler General Manager Mike Green is excited to see this new addition to the Rattler portfolio. “Our volunteer train crew are an amazing group of talented individuals who care deeply about the preservation of heritage rail and love to share their passion, enthusiasm and knowledge with our guests. We see this as a great way to really involve people in our operation by bringing them into our team for a period of time.” Mike said.

Volunteer Driver Peter Alder is keen to be on board the first Footplate Friends Experience as one of the scheduled drivers on the launch day. “Getting on the footplate is a special experience and I feel privileged to share that with our guests.” Peter said.Mary Valley Rattler 233

Since commencement of rail operations many guests have made their way to the Mary Valley Rattler. One visitor to the Amamoor Station when the Gympie Music Muster was in full swing was Andrew Farriss of INXS fame. “When I was asked to be the Ambassador for the launch of this experience, I was more than happy to oblige. I love trains and am looking forward to being up the front in the cab with the drivers.”

Andrew Farriss will be available to meet and greet people at the historic Gympie Station from 8am on Sunday 3rd November before the train heads off at 9am.

The Footplate Friends Experience is $495 per person. This premium experience includes a morning briefing with the train crew, morning tea, return steam train footplate cab ride, Mary Valley Rattler high vis vest, cap, pin, lunch with the crew, certificate and Go Pro footage of the journey. All guests will be included in the Footplate Friends Gallery on the organisation’s website.

“As a not for profit organisation we rely on the proceeds from tickets sales and café and retail sales to allow us to maintain and further refurbish our fleet of heritage rollingstock. By offering this unique experience we not only provide someone a very personal bespoke experience, this additional income allows us to bring more carriages to operational order to allow more visitors to experience the Mary Valley Rattler and all that Gympie and the Mary Valley have to offer.” Mike said.

With Christmas just around the corner, this experience is available as a gift voucher purchase as well.

For bookings and further information: www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au