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Celebrating 40 years of preservation
 

Steam Locomotive Driving Experiences Diesel Locomotive Driving Experiences

Driver at the controls of a steam locomotiveOnce 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.

 
Steam Locomotive Driving Experiences

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

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

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.

Diesel Locomotive Driving Experiences

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

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

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.

Information

Our Booking Office staff will be pleased to provide any information you may require including available dates, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our terms and conditions for booking can be viewed by clicking here

Bookings can also be made by telephone during normal office hours on:

  • UK: 01509 230726
  • International: + 44 1509 230726

Confirmation of the booking will be sent out followed by detailed joining instructions nearer the actual date. "Surprise" bookings can be mailed to any stated address.

Drive a Loco Gift Vouchers

Drive a Loco experiences are also available as gift vouchers and are the perfect present for anyone 18 years old or over, so why not stage a unique surprise for a birthday or other special occasion?

Gift vouchers for 'Drive a Locomotive' can be purchased online via our online shop or by phone, fax or post. Gift vouchers are normally sent out via 1st class post, usually the same day or following day. 

Please order either by phone on 01509 230726 or by using our online store.

Accomodation

A range of excellent accommodation is to be found in the surrounding area.

We offer a special weekend break package with The Ramada Loughborough Hotel as an add on to the Locomotive Driving Experiences

Add on prices:

  • One Night Bed & Breakfast £45.00 per person
  • Two Nights Bed & Breakfast and an evening meal on the Charnwood Forester/Murder Mystery £110 per person.

Corporate Packages

Corporate packages can also be tailored to your requirements. If you're looking to stage an original and memorable client event or a team-building exercise with a difference, call us for more details.

Recreating the experience!
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