Swindon & Cricklade Railway	Driving Experience
The Swindon & Cricklade Railway offers Driving Experiences for those who would like to take the controls of a steam or diesel locomotive. Get the driver's view!		Whether you want to enjoy a novel experience or whether you wish to gain hands-on introduction to locomotive operation, we can provide a memorable, entertaining and instructive event. Steam or diesel? Steam is at the centre of many people's railway interests. For them, we offer driving and firing instruction on one of our industrial tank locomotives. A growing number of others are equally enthusiastic about diesel traction. For them, a spell on one of our 03 shunters provides hands-on familiarity with one of the most popular ex-BR classes in preservation. What's involved? We aim to be as flexible as possible, and like to discuss the kind of experience required on an individual basis. But each event will include - Safety briefing before and during the event. An introduction to the locomotive concerned in appropriate depth. Driving Instruction and full supervision by qualified and experienced staff.			The object will be to give the candidate a true, hands-on experience of driving the locomotive concerned under typical operating conditions. Driving Experiences include refreshments appropriate to the time spent with the Railway - lunch will be provided for those arranging to stay more than a few hours. Candidates will be given a signed certificate on completion of the Experience. Booking and Conditions Costs. £150 each for Steam, £60 each for Diesel (prices include VAT). We usually discuss dates with candidates and arrange for two or three people to attend together. Most people prefer this approach - after an hour or so, many people are more than happy to relax for a while and watch somebody else do the work! Please contact us via e-mail (including your name and address) in the first instance so that we can contact you to discuss your requirements and suitable times. We are happy to be flexible and suggest the kind of experience that suits you. All persons taking the controls of a locomotive must be 18 or over and in good health. Finally ... Don't forget that you can give Driving Experience as a gift. Or that family and friends will be welcome to accompany candidates on the railway - we also arrange private parties for birthdays and other occasions.
			Giving Driving Experience as a gift Please email us with (1) Your name and postal address (2) Your contact phone number (3) the name of the person to whom you are giving Driving Experience. We will then sell you a Gift Voucher in the name of the person concerned. The voucher will invite them to contact us and arrangea mutually convenienct date. This approach has proved to be by far the most popular with all concerned. Due to the popularity of these courses, and the fact that the Railway is closed for engineering work until Easter this year, no new bookings can be made for dates before Easter 2008. But please book ahead if you wish.