Driver Experience Courses at TSR

At Telford Steam Railway (TSR) we aim to provide memorable Driver Experience Courses based on hands on preparation, driving and firing of a steam locomotive and our unique steam tram. We are committed to providing as comprehensive an experience as possible bearing in mind that safety is our first concern and that we are at the mercy of the weather that sometimes affects the content of the day.

What to expect on your
Full Day Driver Experience Course

By the end of the course we aim to give you a better understanding of:

1. Safe practice on the footplate and when working on a railway
2. The major parts of the locomotive/tram and what they do
3. How the locomotive/tram makes steam and uses it
4. The function of the main controls
5. How to fire the locomotive/tram and to refill the boiler
6. Start and stop the locomotive/tram safely and in the desired position on the track

In addition you may decide to get involved with lighting up the locomotive/tram which will give you a better understanding of:

1. The safety checks that precede lighting up the locomotive /tram
2. Preparing and lighting the fire
3. Oiling round the locomotive

The Full Day Course concentrates on manoeuvring and shunting, as well as running up and down the track which will give you an additional understanding of:

1. The safety issues involved in shunting stock and marshalling a train
2. Communication between the loco crew and the person shunting
3. Operation of the points (turnouts)
4. Buffering up and coupling/uncoupling stock

What to expect on your
Half Day Tram Driver Course

By the end of the course we aim to give you a better understanding of:

1. Safe practice on the footplate and when working on a railway
2. The major parts of the steam tram and what each does
3. How the tram makes steam and uses it
4. The function of the main controls
5. How to fire the tram and to refill the boiler
6. Start and stop the tram safely and in the desired position on the track

In addition you may decide to get involved with lighting up the tram which will give you a better understanding of:

1. The safety checks that precede lighting up the tram
2. Preparing and lighting the fire

Clothing

We provide overalls and gloves but it is a good idea to wear old clothes and to either bring a change of clothes or something to cover the seat of your car for your homeward journey because we guarantee that you will get sooty and oily.

If you have steel toe-capped boots or shoes please bring them to wear on the day; if not please wear stout footwear.

What we expect from candidates

There are no prerequisites to taking part in our driver experience days. Candidates should be aware that the day will be quite strenuous and all we ask is that you are certain that you are fit enough to spend the day carrying out fairly physical activities in the confined space of the loco footplate, which is quite small on our industrial locomotives, and which on a hot summer's day gets very warm indeed.

Printable copy of Full Day course content.
Printable copy of Tram Half Day course content.

Return to How to Book.

Telford Steam Railway website - Conditions of Use

| |