Steam Locomotive Driving Experiences
Diesel Locomotive Driving Experiences
Once upon a time every young boy aspired to be an engine driver - when the sights, sounds and smells evoked the glory days of travel by train. Now you can relive those bygone days when the most powerful steam locomotives in the land headed great named expresses like the 'South Yorkshireman' and the 'Master Cutler', as they raced to the capital. Today there is thankfully the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality and fulfil those childhood ambitions.
Click here to read what Leicestershire and Rutland Life Magazine say about Drive A Locomotive Experience. We would like to thank Joan Stephens, Beth Walsh and the magazine team for their kind permission in making this article available for download.
At the Great Central Railway budding drivers can get behind the controls and for
a few hours, or even a day, enjoy the thrill of driving a giant express passenger
or freight engine on Britain's only main line steam 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.
Make it an entertaining day out for your family or guests as well. Each "trainee"
is issued with a complimentary travel ticket for one guest on service days (two
for Silver) and any others in the party can purchase travel tickets on the day.
All the facilities of the railway will be theirs to enjoy - museum, loco shed, station
buffet, shop, signalbox and 3 other stations to visit.
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Bronze - £310.00
It's 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. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Route observation trip
- Shared drive of a steam loco
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 1 guest
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
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Silver - £515.00
The pressure mounts, the fire is glowing. You and another customer share responsibility for an engine with a full rake of coaches over 30 miles. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Shared drive of a steam loco and carriages over 2 trips
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 2 guests
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
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Gold - £1,550.00
The ultimate footplate experience. This is your opportunity to drive a train all day long. Set the controls and stoke up the boiler for four full round trips with a break for lunch. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Drive a steam loco and carriages over 4 trips*
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 4 guests
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
* You may share this experience with up to 7 of your friends. Ideal as a corporate day out or private group event. |
Notch 1 - £450.00
Take control, under professional instruction, of a diesel locomotive for 2 round trips (over 30 miles), this is one 'light engine' (no carriages) and the second with carriages along the Great Central main line. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Route observation trip
- Shared drive of a diesel loco
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 1 guest
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
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Notch 2 - £550.00
Take control, under professional instruction, of a diesel locomotive for 2 round trips (over 30 miles), both with carriages along the Great Central main line. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Shared drive of a diesel loco and carriages over 2 trips
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 2 guests
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
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Notch 3 - £995.00
Take control, under professional instruction, of a diesel locomotive for 4 round trips (over 60 miles), all with carriages along the Great Central main line. Includes: - Welcome Briefing, including free tea/coffee for guests
- Introductory DVD
- Drive a diesel loco and carriages over 4 trips*
- Lunch for the Driver
- Guided tour of Loco works
- Visit to signal box
- Free train ticket for 2 guests
- Presentation Certificate
- 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline
- Free "Through the Window" guide
* You may share this experience with up to 7 of your friends. Ideal as a corporate day out or private group event. |