Drive a steam engine at the Spa Valley Railway!
Feel the power of steam and relive the golden age of rail travel from the footplate – where you are in control!
Set the reverser, blow the whistle, release the brakes and open the regulator. The steam held in the boiler is suddenly turned into power – power you’re controlling. Listen for the hiss, the chuff and feel the locomotive come to life, and it starts to move away as you head off down the line. Our steam driver experiences give you the chance to live out a lifelong ambition of driving a locomotive, and we’re delighted to offer two different packages for our visitors.
Light Engine Driver Experience – £400 per person
Light Engine Driver Experience:
Departing from Tunbridge Wells West, you’ll have the opportunity to drive a steam locomotive ‘light engine’ (on its own, without carriages) to Birchden Junction and return.
What’s involved?
Arrive at Tunbridge Wells West 15 minutes before the time on the ticket, and meet the Driver and Fireman who will welcome you onto the footplate of one of our beautiful steam locomotives, either Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ or Caledonian Railway No. 828.
You are welcome to bring one guest with you on this experience, who can also ride on the footplate with you. You’ll set off from Tunbridge Wells West heading for Birchden Junction with just the locomotive on its own.
You’ll drift gently down the line, seeing parts of the stunning High Weald that are not visible from any road, but what better way to see them than from the footplate of a steam locomotive?
Deer and birds of prey are often seen around the countryside, and the Weald hides many of its secrets until late afternoon, so who knows what you’ll get to see as you journey down the line.
Upon arrival at Birchden Junction under the gaze of Harrison’s Rocks you’ll change direction and return to Tunbridge Wells West this time plodding back up the hill back to the famous Spa town, the fireman gently keeping the fire alive as upon arrival back at our original steam depot you can observe disposal begin at the end of the day if you wish or head on your way home after living the dream, from the footplate.
What’s included:
- Drive of a steam locomotive from Tunbridge Wells West to Birchden Junction and return ‘light engine’.
- Space for up to one guest to travel on the footplate with you, too.
- Free travel on any other Spa Valley Railway train services operating that day.
- Technical information provided to you by the Driver and Fireman, please feel free to ask as many questions as you like.
Train Ride!
As part of your Driver Experience we’re delighted to include a train ride and complimentary drinks* for up to four people from our bar car ‘Kate’.
If you are booked on a morning Driver Experience, you are welcome to travel on the first passenger train departure from Tunbridge Wells West of the day. This will take place before after your Driver Experience.
If you are booked on an afternoon Driver Experience, you are welcome to travel on the last passenger train departure from Tunbridge Wells West of the day. This will take place before your Driver Experience.
*If you are completing an afternoon driver experience, you will not be able to consume alcohol before you take to the footplate.
What you could drive – Bulleid Pacific 34053 'Sir Keith Park'
A powerful mixed traffic locomotive that was based at various Southern engine sheds over the course of its working life. Withdrawn in 1965 and returned to service in 2012 by Southern Locomotives Limited, the Bulleid is now resident at Tunbridge Wells West.
What you could drive – Caledonian Railway 812 Class 828
The only member of its class left in the world, the locomotive in its fetching blue livery spent its working life in Scotland and is usually based on the Strathspey Railway, albeit it is on loan to the Spa Valley Railway for the foreseeable future.
A very unique and special engine to drive!
