Nothing compares to the industrial beauty of a steam locomotive feel the thrill of working on the footplate with the driver and fireman. We are pleased to be one of the cheapest yet most challenging driver experience providers in the country our steam driver experience is. Learn to drive a historic steam locomotive hauling your own private train. The other participants travel on the cushions with the guard to wait their turn. Discover the timeless appeal of our narrowgauge steam trains and savour the grandeur of north wales. Welsh tea on the train come and join us for the opportunity to enjoy welsh tea and cake on the move, while travelling serenely through our beautiful powys scenery in our elegant historic carriages. Drive a steam train train driving experiences into the blue.
The kwvr offers you the opportunity to drive a steam train on the famous keighley and worth valley railway and experience the thrill of being in control of a locomotive doing what it was designed to do, hard at work on the stiff gradients of the countrys only complete heritage branch line. These are some of the best steam train and heritage railway journeys in the west country counties of cornwall. Drive a steam engine at devils bridge this summer at the vale of rheidol railway. From the first greeting and briefing and tour from john, the first touch of the regulator under grahams expert and attentive guidance, to the last shovel of coal under the watchful eyes of robin, it was a truly great experience. Steam train enthusiasts can have a go themselves by signing up for one of several driver experience days. For those who love steam trains, this unique opportunity will have you reliving the golden age of steam in the drivers cab of a classic light engine steam locomotive in the high weald countryside. A blast of the whistle and the hiss of steam and youre away. Well now you can with this steam locomotive driving experience you will take control of a real fully functioning locomotive, for a thrilling ride along britains only mainline steam railway in loughborough, leicestershire. Youve always wanted to drive a real steam locomotive or you want a present for someone who does. Driver experience days gloucestershire warwickshire. Whether youre a keen enthusiast, or have always imagined yourself manning the controls but never put a step on a footplate before well tailor the course to your individual needs, so that you can get the most from your time spent enjoying the thrill of driving a steam traction engine. Testimonials many, many thanks for the superb steam train driving experience on the railway.
A wonderful train experience for my retirement from mainstream railway operations, my colleagues bought me an experience day at loughborough driving a classic steam engine. On the other trip, it is time to occupy the drivers seat and take charge of the train. A hiss of steam and the train starts to move the start of an experience of a lifetime. Realise those childhood dreams and have a go at driving a steam locomotive. Steam railway driver courses fairbourne steam railway in wales. We have a variety of experiences including bluebell railway steam train tip and visit to wakehurst place botanic garden for two, west somerset railway rover 2 adults and steam locomotive driving experience. Now you can make the dream come true at the fairbourne railway amidst the glorious scenery of the mawddach estuary. Llangollen railway experience rail travel how it used to be. For those who love steam trains, this unique opportunity will have you reliving the golden age of steam in the drivers cab of a classic light engine steam. We can play host to your civil ceremony and your full. The kwvr offers you the opportunity to drive a steam train on the famous keighley and worth valley railway and experience the thrill of being in control of a locomotive doing what it was designed to do, hard at work on the stiff gradients of the countrys only.
Steam train experiences throughout england, scotland and wales. We offer multiple driving experiences alongside our footplate and guard experiences. If you fancy having a go, then you have two options, a full day driving experience, or an evening. Drive a train on a journey of adventure that you will never forget.
The narrow gauge and miniature steam trains of wales wales is home to some of the most famous narrow gauge and miniature gauge railways in the world. The special attraction of narrow gauge railways lies in their modest size compared with the main line ones and their leisurely speed gives time to take in some of the splendid scenery. These locomotives are fueled by burning combustible material usually coal, wood, or oil to produce steam in a boiler. Simply put, driving a train is a mustdo experience that realises all those childhood train driver dreams. Steam locomotive packages great central railway the uks. Drive a train experience the past today the hiss of steam, the roar of a fire, the deep rumble of an engine and the shrill blast of a whistle, no youtube video or instagram pic can quite do justice to the inimitable experience of piloting a heritage steam or diesel engine. On four dates this summer, well be serving you a light afternoon tea, with locally made sandwiches, caerphilly cheese scones, bara brith and. If youre a train enthusiast or a couple looking for a wedding venue with character unlike any other, llangollen railway makes the perfect setting for your special day. Look for classic experiences such as bluebell railway, watercress line, great central railway, swanage railway and severn valley railway. No two railways are the same and they all offer a unique experience of a bygone era. Heritage driver licence training heritage steam training. They also host a series of special events that are very popular.
Our driver experience courses are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it was designed. Whether its to realise a lifelong ambition, or as that very special railway gift, driving a railway locomotive is an amazing adventure. Its full steam ahead as you and an other customer take charge of a. Let off some steam as you take in the beautiful countryside scenery whilst at the controls of a. Take in the smells, the heat of the fire, and get your hands dirty as you act as driver, guard and signalmen.
As a popular location for those seeking scenic views of unbridled natural beauty and those looking to explore a rich history and culture, there is something to appeal to every traveller in the diverse and idyllic settings of wales. For all steam train enthusiasts, this tour enables you to get around and link up with the very best steam railways in north wales. This will help you to receive your steam driver licence. If youre a train enthusiast or a couple looking for a wedding.
Footplate experience is the only searchable footplate experience database of uk steam and diesel train driving and riding packages. Once familiarised with the controls, you will take a standard rake of carriages over the entire railway from llanfair caereinion to welshpool and back. The most historic rails in somerset, dorset, devon and cornwall. Youll then have the chance to experience life on the footplate. Whilst one participant acts as fireman, the other will take the regulator of a great western railway steam engine. As if that isnt just a little bit special, this steam train is red. Watched any old movies lately and wished you could relive the golden age of steam. Buy cheap train tickets and check train times for wales and borders services here. We offer the thrill of firing and driving a fullsized steam or diesel locomotive on one of britains premier preserved railways. Steam driver licence we can provide you with heritage steam training. Whatever the name people from all walks of life and of all ages have a love of trains and would relish the chance to drive a real life steam or diesel locomotive engine. Our driver experience courses are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it. Rheilfford talyllyn railway logo cymru wales logo trip advisor approved. Your chance to have a go at driving our steam engine for a return trip or two at the end of the day.
Its full steam ahead as you and an other customer take charge of a locomotive, with a footplate crew in support, for a 16 mile round trip. The chance to spend a day at a heritage railway surrounded by steam and diesel locomotives is pure nostalgia and loved by all ages. The steam moves reciprocating pistons which are mechanically connected to the locomotives main wheels drivers. This locomotive was numbered 861 and consequently the driver experience is referred to as the 861 footplate experience course. Drive a steam train experience, private charter trains and evening excursions combining catering services can all be booked. Well now you can with this steam locomotive driving experience you will take control of a. Then, when the passengers have gone home, its your turn. Our fantastic footplate experience lets you feel what it was really like to drive a steam locomotive. Steam train driving and footplate rides are amongst our most popular activities. Steam train experience, drive a steam train, driver for a fiver. Drive a steam train at rheilffordd talyllyn railway experience. Train driver alternative titles for this job include engine driver, london underground driver, eurostar driver, tube driver. Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country. Brecon mountain railway steam trains in south wales.
Diesel experience days are also available by special arrangement. The ffestiniog and welsh highland railways stretch for 40 miles through the glorious snowdonia national park, allowing you to experience the magnificent scenery in comfort whilst savouring the romance of gleaming steam engines and carriages. Live your childhood dreams of becoming a train driver as you get a taster of being at the controls of a diesel or steam train with an exhilarating railway experience. Exploring the remarkable country of wales by train travel is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Dec 02, 2008 join the crew on the footplate of standard 4 steam locomotive no. Get your engine drivers hat on for a steam train experience at spa valley railway where you get to be the driver. Enjoy the sights and smells of a footplate ride through beautiful countryside. The most scenic railways, trams and train journeys in wales. Come along for a full days footplate experience including.
All aboard for the very best steam train tour experience in north wales. Discover a range of classic diesel and steam train experiences to get your next train journey on track. The avon valley railway offers you the chance of a lifetime to realise your dream of driving a steam or diesel locomotive. Narrow gauge locomotive experience days bala lake railway. As the only place in this country where you can drive a steam locomotive on a main line, this is truly the experience of a lifetime. Theres plenty of train trips and experiences to suit both keen enthusiasts and those looking for an adventurous day out with a nostalgic trip back to the good old days of luxury train travel. You can help with preparing the loco of your choice and helping raise steam as well as the. Steam trains of north wales boutique tours of north wales. Youve always wanted to drive a real steam locomotive or you want a present. Please confirm all details of the experiences offered with the railway, footplate experience cannot be held responsible for any errors in the search results. Discover eleven great little steam railways in wales. Footplate experience realise your lifelong ambition. We offer three different experiences throughout the year, from our steam taster, 3 hour diesel multiple unit dmu continue reading.
This locomotive was numbered 861 and consequently the driver. The staff were wonderful and the whole experience is something i would recommend to anyone who has a dream to drive a steam loco for real. Find fantastic luxury trains and heritage steam gifts for a friend or even treat yourself. A steam locomotive is a type of railway locomotive that produces its pulling power through a steam engine. Enjoy picturesque journeys aboard historic steam trains and admire delightful towns and ancient history on this welsh adventure. Driver experience days the gloucestershire warwickshire railway is a volunteer operated heritage railway in gloucestershire, offering a round trip of over 24 miles. Buy our discount card for 20% off one adult roundtrip fare at every railway. The training is an 8 hour 1 day training session 6 hours theory and 2 hours practical that is designed to give a trainee operator, who has experience in the operation of a steam engine at a plant, a more in depth grounding that will prepare them for the questions. Feel the power and smell the burning coal whilst you. Take control of one of our steam locomotives for yourself. Steam and cream teas are a feature for parties of up to 30 with a typical welsh cream tea.
We offer three different experiences throughout the year, from our steam taster, 3 hour diesel multiple unit dmu or full day diesel. We offer the thrill of firing and driving a fullsized steam or diesel locomotive on one of britains. Steam railway driver courses fairbourne steam railway in. The railway is currently looking to recruit a team of volunteers to staff its small museum during the train running season at pontsticill station in the beautiful surroundings of the brecon beacons national park. Then the brecon mountain railway may have the ideal opportunity for you. Steam trains and heritage railroads in englands west country. Narrow gauge and miniature steam trains of wales visit wales. Book well in advance for our train driving experiences though, as demand is high. Steam locomotive packages great central railway the uk. Drive a steam train train driving experiences into the. Many, many thanks for the superb steam train driving experience on the railway. There can be up to four participants on each course and two people at a time will travel on the engine with our driver and fireman.
You will be hauling one of our standard train sets along a challenging route that abounds with sharp curves and steep gradients. Explore the rugged mountains and winding waterways of north wales. Theres no doubt about it, a journey on board one of the many narrow gauge steam trains of wales is certainly the best way to enjoy the magnificent landscape of the country. Join the crew on the footplate of standard 4 steam locomotive no. The puffing billy railway offers train driver experiences in a 120 year old steam engine, a couliett locomotive built in 1886 for use in paris. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime at the controls of a heritage steam locomotive. Driving and footplate experiences telford steam railway. Whether its a steam or diesel loco, railway fans will love the chance to be the one up there in the cab operating the train. Footplate experience find your perfect uk steam or diesel.