Cricklade
Railway
Steam & Diesel
Driving Experience
| Drive a loco |
| Membership |
| Pictures |
| Links Page |
| Site Index |
| History |
Steam Taster
This course provides a great opportunity to drive a steam locomotive for the first time. The course is two hours long and has a maximum participation of four people. You will be given expert tuition on how to drive a steam locomotive over the full length of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. The train will consist of the Locomotive and a brake van for your friends or relatives to ride on. Due to space restrictions on the brake van, a maximum of two relatives or friends per driver will be allowed to ride on the brake van at one time.
The start time is 5 pm till 7 pm
Max. No participants: 4
Course fee - £135 per person
Diesel Taster
This course provides a great opportunity to drive a diesel for the first time. The course is two hours long and has a maximum participation of four people. You will be given expert tuition on how to drive over the full length of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. The train has space for your friends or relatives to ride in. A maximum of two relatives or friends per driver will be allowed at one time.
The start time is 5 pm till 7 pm
Max. No participants: 4
Course fee - £80 per person
Goods Link (Steam)
This course is for the more ambitious driver. You will be in charge of the steam locomotive and freight train, running the full length of the railway. The course runs all day so you will have plenty of opportunities to drive and fire the locomotive. Your friends and relatives are able to ride on one of the brake vans on the train but please be aware that space is limited. There is a maximum participation of three drivers, to ensure you get the best out the day. As part of the package you will be provided with a cooked dinner in our canteen and your relatives can dine with you for a small extra charge, payable on the day. Your day will start at 10:00 am at Blunsdon station, with a safety brief, followed by a tour of the locomotive to familiarise with the controls. The day ends at 4:00 pm with the presentation of your certificate for the day.
The start time is 10 am till 4 pm
Max. No participants: 3
Course fee - £255 per person
Goods Link (Diesel)
This course is for the more ambitious driver. You will be in charge of the diesel locomotive and freight train, running the full length of the railway. The course runs all day so you will have plenty of opportunities to drive the locomotive. Your friends and relatives are able to ride on one of the brake vans on the train but please be aware that space is limited. There is a maximum participation of three drivers, to ensure you get the best out the day. As part of the package you will be provided with a cooked dinner in our canteen and your relatives can dine with you for a small extra charge, payable on the day. Your day will start at 10:00 am at Blunsdon station, with a safety brief, followed by a tour of the locomotive to familiarise with the controls. The day ends at 4:00 pm with the presentation of your certificate for the day.
The start time is 10 am till 4 pm
Max. No participants: 3
Course fee - £140 per person
Branch Line Passenger Link
This course is only for drivers who have completed the Steam Goods Link course. Your day can either start at 7:00 am, where you will get the opportunity to help the day’s crew prepare the locomotive for duty; or, at 9:00 am, missing out on the preparation. You will be in charge of our passenger coaching stock running the full length of the railway, and will be stopping at all stations as our normal service would do. As the coaches will be empty you can transport your friends and relatives in style, in the luxury of the coaches, while you drive and fire the locomotive.
Max. No participants: 3
The start time is 7 am / 9 am till 4 pm
Max. No participants: 3
Course fee - £305
| Booking Driving Experience |
|
Please email us with (1) Your name and postal address. (2) Your contact phone number. (3) the name of the person who will be receiving Driving Experience (either yourself or someone who is receiving it as a gift). We will then confirm the available date and cost. Once we have received payment, we will issue a voucher in the name of the person concerned. Vouchers are issued as quickly as possible, but please allow up to ten days from recipt of payment to receipt of voucher. |
How do I book Driving Experience?
Details are included at the foot of this page.
How long is the line they drive on?
The line is one mile long with two stations one of which, Hayes Knoll is in the middle. This gives you plenty of opportunities to start and stop the locomotive.
How long do you drive for?
This depends on which course you choose. You will generally do one round trip driving and then one firing and then one riding on the train or you can use the time to have a quick look around the railway. This depends also on the number of participants on the day.
Is there anything else included?
Yes. A certificate acknowledging your driving achievement for the day and a hot lunch and a cup of tea in the restaurant. Your friends and family can join you at a small extra cost. Friends and family book and pay on the day.
Driving Experience in 2012
Driving Experience may be booked from early February to the end of September. Most bookings are taken for weekend dates, and depend upon the availability of steam or diesel locomotives. The simplest approach is for you to email us with your preferences, when we can offer available alternatives.
There are times when mid-week dates are also available.