|
Train Services
Driver Experience Courses
|
|
|
Train Services
Driver Experience Courses
|
 |
The cab of 31 438. All that's needed is the driver. 13th November 2005. Photo: Martin Reeve |
The Mid-Norfolk Railway is now offering the chance to fulfil your childhood dream by driving one of our resident locomotives. If you are looking for a birthday or Christmas gift for someone, why not give them the experience of a lifetime? Under the guidance of our experienced and qualified instructors, you will learn the skills necessary to safely control and operate locomotives of over 100 tons and 1500 horsepower.
At present, 31 235, 37 003, 47 596, 50 019 and 73 210 are available for driver experience.
For further details or to make your booking, please contact us at experience@mnr.org.uk.
 |
Driver Rick Cousins at the controls of 31 235. 17th December 2005. Photo: Chris Pearson |
This could be your first taste of driving a big mainline engine. You will arrive at Dereham Station, be given a tour of the yard and a look round the engine. Four participants will join the day: two people sharing the morning trip to Wymondham and back, and two in the afternoon. Each participant will drive for a total of 11 miles. Lunch is provided in the Station Buffet with your fellow course members. Ample opportunity is available for taking photographs as a memento for your special day.
For those of you with diesel in your blood, this course gives you a chance to improve your skills at driving the locomotive. Two participants will join the day: after a 22-mile round trip to Wymondham in the morning with the loco, both participants will have lunch provided at Dereham Station before going out on a second trip. That's 22 miles of driving for each person.
You and one other participant will be in for a full day of diesel driving experience. After arriving at Dereham for breakfast, you will be taken through classroom training and a look round the locomotive. Both participants will then share a 22 mile light engine round trip to Wymondham and back. After a filling lunch, you will be involved in preparing a passenger train. You will drive the locomotive and coaches to Wymondham, stopping at our stations on the way, run-round the locomotive at Wymondham Abbey and then make your way back to Dereham. Each participant will drive for a total of 22 miles (11 miles light engine and 11 miles with coaching stock).
The ultimate package to experience the thrill. After a hearty breakfast, enjoy a day's instruction to yourself with a total of 44 miles of driving (22 miles light engine and 22 miles with coaching stock). The course includes one trip to Wymondham and back in the morning followed by lunch with a second trip hauling passenger stock in the afternoon.
We provide a full safety briefing and high-visibility clothing. Drivers should wear good-quality footwear with ankle protection, and waterproofs are recommended in case of bad weather. You must present yourself in a fit manner to drive: fit, healthy and free of drugs or alcohol. If you are taking any prescription drugs, then please contact your doctor beforehand, as many medicines are banned for train drivers. Please do not drink for at least 12 hours before the course. We reserve the right to curtail or cancel a course at any time if we believe that the safety of the railway may be affected. Participants must be aged 18 or over.
I would just like to send you and the MNR my thanks for a truly superb day on 31 438 yesterday. The course is really fantastic ... [the instructor] gives you a complete driver's day from signing on to locomotive checks inside and out and then of course the driving. Lots of amusing stories and such good instruction I reckon I could just about do it on my own now!
... it was great working the box at Thuxton and being shown a host of other things - and then there was a magnificent and unexpected lunch too!
I would say that this course is great value for money and I shall hopefully do it again! ... Thanks again for a memorable day.
R.R., Cheltenham, Glos
 |
50 019 departing Dereham. 29th May 2005. Photo: Owen Stratford |
An opportunity for four individuals to participate in our Bronze driver experience courses each day. Two people sharing the morning run, and two in the afternoon. Available dates are:
To express your interest in future Bronze courses, please e-mail experience@mnr.org.uk.
For Silver, Gold and Platinum courses, please e-mail experience@mnr.org.uk to arrange suitable dates.