Celebrating the golden age of steam

The Nene Valley Railway one of the heritage lines keeping the age of steam alive Credit: ITV News Anglia

Steam locomotives, as a regular form of rail travel, were phased out in the 1960s - but for many they still represent a golden age.

In the East there are a number of enthusiasts keen to keep the experience alive including the Bure Valley, North, and Mid Norfolk, Mid Suffolk and Colne Valley to name but a handful. Elsewhere the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough is also running a healthy heritage service.

For the past 20 years they've been offering the chance for enthusiasts to get on the footplate and take control of a steam locomotive.

Click below to see Stuart Leithes's report