Drive a Steam Locomotive at Telford Steam Railway

People from all walks of life and of all ages have a love of steam trains. Many would relish the chance to drive a steam engine. Well now is your chance! In addition to the Full Day course, which Telford Steam Railway runs on our standard gauge steam locomotives and our 2ft gauge Steam Tram, we can offer other driver experience courses on request.

All courses consist of a safety talk and operation of the locomotive, and then you get the chance to take the controls !

Courses are run through out the season. ( Advance booking is essential. )

Courses currently offered include:-

Half Day Course

These are available on the steam tram only. These courses are not arranged for multiple candidates. You may have the loco to yourself for the entire period, or choose to bring along a friend to share the experience / cost. The course includes preparation and use of the loco in realistic conditions. Courses are available on selected Saturdays or most Sundays during the season.

Full Day Course

This course combines training and experience of the steam tram and standard gauge steam loco. It includes lunch and a year's membership of Telford Horsehay Steam Trust. The standard gauge experience uses the 0-4-0ST industrial loco and concentrates on manoeuvring and shunting, thereby maximising the experience of control of the loco, rather than just running up and down a straight track. Courses are arranged for groups of candidates booked individually. Candidates rotate around the various components of the course including driving and firing the standard gauge loco and driving and firing the steam tram. Courses start at 7:00am and are available on selected Saturdays. Candidates may choose to arrive later if they do not wish to help the crew lighting up the loco (no later than 10:00pm).

Create your own special day

If you feel that driving the full size loco would be too much and you only want to drive the steam tram (its much less hard work) or you would like to drive a diesel, or maybe bring a group of friends and spend an hour each on the footplate, or any other ideas to make your own special day please contact the Driver Experience Organiser, we are very flexible.