driver experience

Gift Vouchers Available for 2012 ring 01538 750755 for details

There can be few experiences in life to beat the thrill of driving a steam locomotive like the one below for mile after mile along the beautiful Churnet Valley Line. Now, with one of our specially designed packages, you too can sample this experience for yourself. For 2012 choose from The Regulator at £199 or The Top Link at £399 - see below for full details of both courses.

(Booking Fee applies)

Looking for that special birthday, retirement or anniversary present or do you just want to sample the experience of driving a steam locomotive yourself? Well this introductory, one-to-one driving course could be just what you are looking for.

Here the pupil has the opportunity to drive a real working steam locomotive for over 12 miles through the picturesque Churnet Valley.

This popular introductory course starts with refreshments and a brief health and safety talk, then with one of our experienced drivers by your side it’s time to hop onto the footplate and with a toot of the whistle your light engine (engine with no coaching stock) pulls out of the station platform with you at the controls!

Then the fun really starts as you drive your steam engine down the valley where we eventually reach our last station and after a brief pause for refreshments you do it all again on the return journey.

This has proved to be one of our most popular courses with the pupil experiencing over 20 miles on the Footplate alternating between the driving and firing of a working steam locomotive.

On arrival at Cheddleton Station, refreshments will be served and there will be a short health and safety briefing. Then it’s straight on to business as you and your fellow pupil climb onto the footplate where our experienced driver and fireman will familiarise you with the controls.

Then it’s a sharp look out for the guards signal, off with the brake and you feel the swell of power as you gently ease the regulator open and your steam locomotive slowly inches forward pulling behind you a rake of British Rail heritage passenger coaches.

With your hand on the regulator that childhood dream now becomes a reality with your train traveling over bridges, crossings, through tunnels and stopping at stations to take on water all with you at the controls. The complete railway experience in fact! And all this with the beautiful Churnet Valley as a backdrop.

Also included in this course, coupling and uncoupling duties, complementary tea and coffee throughout your course, free 12 months membership of the North Staffordshire Railway Company (giving you 12 months half price travel on the Churnet Valley Railway on normal operating days). There is also the opportunity for up to three guests to travel as passengers plus a commemorative Certificate issued on the day.

· Up to 6 family or friends to accompany you riding in the coaches behind (additional persons £5.00 each)

Occasionally, visiting 'star' locomotives will be available. Please contact us for availability.

Engine driving courses or footplate rides are very popular gifts for birthdays, Christmas presents, retirement gifts etc. Gift vouchers not only make a great memorable gift but also allow the recipient to book a date to suit themselves.

Please call 01538 360522 during office hours for more details or leave a message on the answering machine and we'll gladly call you back.