Pete Waterman's Making Tracks

What's an Operator?

• You! Anyone who helps run layouts at our events
• No experience necessary — just enthusiasm
• Driving trains, engaging visitors, or setting up
• Everyone's welcome

Why Do I Need to Book? 🤔

• Your slot is guaranteed — no turning up and hoping for the best
• We can plan the right number of layouts, power points, and table space
• Visitors get a better experience when we know who's coming
• You get confirmation emails, reminders, and venue details
• It's completely free — booking just helps everyone prepare
• Did we mention lunch?

What Will You Do? 🎫

Operators take on all sorts of roles at our events. Here are just a few:

• Driving trains — the main event!
• Working with the public — answering questions, sharing your passion
• Managing guest drivers — helping visitors have a go
• Completing driver certificates — a keepsake for young visitors
• Visitor welcoming — first impressions matter
• Collision counting — always zero!

Getting Started

Create your account, verify your email, then explore.

Three simple steps and you're in!

Browsing Events 📋

• The landing page shows what's coming up
• Log in to see full details and availability
• Each event shows dates, sessions, and capacity

Making a Booking

• Pick a date on the calendar (green = space available)
• Choose your session (Morning, Afternoon, etc.)
• Accept T&Cs and confirm
• Check your email and click the confirmation link
• You have 24 hours to confirm!

The Calendar 📅

Your Bookings 🎫

• See all your upcoming and past bookings
• Clear status badges at a glance
• Cancel anytime (at least 12 hours before)
• Didn't get the email? Hit "Resend Email"

The Waitlist

• Session full? You can still book — you'll join the waitlist
• If a slot opens up, everyone on the waitlist is emailed
• It's first come, first served — the quickest to confirm gets the slot
• Keep an eye on your inbox!

Confidential Event Info 🔒

After your booking is confirmed, you unlock extra details:

• Access codes and exact venue address
• Parking instructions and site map
• Safety briefings and equipment info
• Only visible to confirmed operators

The Footplate Ranks 🏆

Earn ranks by attending events!

• Trainee Fireman 1 event
• Fireman 5 events
• Driver 15 events
• Shed Master 30 events
• The Fat Controller 50 events

How far will you climb? 🚂

The Honour Board 🏅

• See where you stand among fellow operators
• Grouped by rank, sorted by attendance
• Prefer privacy? Opt out in your profile settings

The Shop

• Official merchandise: shirts, mugs, badges, and more
• Browse, add to cart, checkout securely via Stripe
• Track your orders online

What We Ask of You 🤝

Ready to Go?

Create your operator account to get started.

Questions? Contact your event admin.

Welcome aboard! 🚂🚃🚃