BESTT - Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust

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BESTT - Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust

BESTT - An organisation set up to promote and enhance the traditional skills of boiler making and steam heritage engineering by training.

BESTT will fund activities with assistance from grants, charities, bursaries and sponsorship. The training will be available regionally using experts in the field both from local engineering colleges and boiler repairers. A National Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded to all students who have completed various module based courses.

LAST PLACE AVAILABLE If interested please email enquiries@bestt.org.uk BOILER WASHOUT AND EXAMINATION BESTT announces ne...

24/09/2026

LAST PLACE AVAILABLE If interested please email [email protected]

BOILER WASHOUT AND EXAMINATION BESTT announces new 4 day course in week commencing 19 October 2026 at Rolvenden, led by Lawrence Donaldson with support from Kent and East Sussex Railway.
This is well established course covering all aspects of preparing for and carrying out examination of the loco boiler and then boxing up for the steam test.
Interested? Please email [email protected]
If you are a young person, in training and without other funding, we may be able to offer a reduced fee for the course. Heritage Railway Association The National Traction Engine Trust Steam Apprentice Club

15/09/2026

BOILER WASHOUT AND EXAMINATION BESTT announces new 4 day course in week commencing 19 October 2026 at Rolvenden, led by Lawrence Donaldson with support from Kent and East Sussex Railway.

This is well established course covering all aspects of preparing for and carrying out examination of the loco boiler and then boxing up for the steam test.

Interested? Please email [email protected]

If you are a young person, in training and without other funding, we may be able to offer a reduced fee for the course. Heritage Railway Association The National Traction Engine Trust Steam Apprentice Club Steam Boat Association of Great Britain - SBA

13/09/2026

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNISED On Tuesday 8th September at Fawley Hill, home of the McAlpine transport collection and host to the National Transport Trust 2026 Awards, Gordon Newton, Chairman of BESTT since 2013, was presented with a National Transport Trust Lifetime Achievement Award. The photo below shows Gordon receiving the Award from the Trust and Lady McAlpine. Photo courtesy of Brian Gooding, Editor NTT Transport Digest and Steam Heritage. Also attached is the citation for Gordon's award.

The award recognises a lifetime in the building and repair of riveted boilers which are vital for heritage steam and a willingness to advise and share his expertise across all heritage sectors - rail, road, marine and stationary. The certificate also includes the words "In recognition of the contribution to boiler making made by his family over 6 generations".

Heritage Railway Association, The National Traction Engine Trust, Steam Apprentice Club, National Historic Ships UK, Vintage Spirit

11/08/2026

BESTT RIVETING COURSE Places are available on our next riveting course led by Gordon Newton and Michael Wortley. This a 4 day practical course leading to a test piece which is independently certified.
Takes place at Stephenson Railway, Tyneside from 12 to 15 October. Interested? Please email [email protected]
Places are also still available on our diesels course at York with zoom lectures and practical day in York on 12 September. Heritage Railway Association Steam Apprentice Club The National Traction Engine Trust National Historic Ships UK Steam Boat Association of Great Britain - SBA

21/07/2026

BESTT COURSES UPDATE -SPECIAL OFFERS We are adding a new introduction zoom session to the small diesels maintenance course and we are offering reduced course charges for younger participants who are in training and self funding.
The diesels course will include an extra introduction on Tuesday 1st September in addition to Zoom sessions on Thursday 3 and Tuesday 8th September with practical day on 12 September at Murton Park, York (Derwent Valley Light Railway). Course will be led by John Reddyhoff, CME of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway who has extensive experience in the national rail industry.
We are also offering reduced course costs to younger self funding volunteers who are in training. If you are interested in this please email [email protected]
REMINDER of our riveting course at Stephenson Railway, Tyneside in week commencing 12 October, led by Gordon Newton and Michael Wortley. If you are interested in this please email [email protected] Heritage Railway Association The National Traction Engine Trust Steam Apprentice Club National Historic Ships UK

17/06/2026

UPDATE ON BESTT COURSES There is 1 place left on the BESTT Stays and Patchscrews course with practical day on 15 August and Zooms on 6 and 13 August. There are 2 places left on the pioneering small diesels course being led by John Reddyhoff at the DVLR York on 12 September with zoom dates tbc. INTERESTED? Email BESTT at [email protected]

STAYS and PATCHSCREWS is at Cheltenham Workshop with Colin Hatch and Sam Thompson; SMALL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 12th September practical day (plus 2 evening zoom lectures) is at Derwent Valley Light Railway, Murton Park; RIVETING 12 October 4 day course at Stephenson Railway, North Tyneside with Michael Wortley and Gordon Newton.
It is also hoped to offer a Boiler Washout and Examination Course in October - January period, dates and location tba. If you need more information or wish to book please email [email protected] Heritage Railway Association The National Traction Engine Trust Steam Apprentice Club

For further information and to book please email [email protected]

22/05/2026

BESTT announces new courses for 2026. Thanks to our trainers and partners we have dates and locations for the following courses this year. If you need more information or wish to book please email [email protected] Heritage Railway Association The National Traction Engine Trust National Historic Ships UK Steam Apprentice Club Fedecrail

Courses now arranged are as follows (others may be added):
STAYS and PATCHSCREWS 15th August practical day (plus 2 evening zoom lectures) at Cheltenham Workshop with Colin Hatch and Sam Thompson; SMALL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 12th September practical day (plus 2 evening zoom lectures) at Derwent Valley Light Railway, Murton Park; RIVETING 12 October 4 day course at Stephenson Railway, North Tyneside with Michael Wortley and Gordon Newton.
It is also hoped to offer a Boiler Washout and Examination Course in October - January period, dates and location tba
For further information and to book please email [email protected]

Address

14 Greenfield Lane, Idle, Bradford
York
BD108PT

Website

http://www.bestt.org.uk/

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