Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

Step into the shoes of a diesel driver!

Our Diesel Driver experiences give you the opportunity to be at the controls for over the full length of our picturesque line between Sheringham and Holt. BRONZE DIESEL EXPERIENCE This experience gives you a taste of being a secondman and of driving during a return journey between Sheringham and Holt. Climb aboard a powerful diesel locomotive (on its own, without a train) for two 11 mile trips. You will alternate between being a secondman and of driving, spending 11 miles doing each and learning about the workings of the engine and the railway under the guidance of a fully qualified crew. The bronze experience is offered on several dates throughout the year usually starting at 09:45, 12:45 or 16.45. We are able to accommodate 2 participants on each session. Your experience begins at Sheringham with a welcoming drink and a slice of cake before participants join the driver and secondman in the cab of the locomotive. At the end of the session each participant is awarded a certificate as a souvenir of the experience. SILVER DIESEL EXPERIENCE Our silver diesel experience gives you the opportunity to have two complete round trips over the full length of our picturesque line working one of our magnificently-restored diesel locomotives at the head of a private train of passenger carriages between Sheringham and Holt. You will drive one trip and be secondman for the other, spending 11 miles doing each. You will learn about the workings of the engine and the operation of our railway under the guidance of our fully qualified crew, including the art of starting and stopping smoothly with a passenger train. The morning session begins at Sheringham at 9.00 where participants are welcomed with a bacon roll and mug of tea before meeting the engine crew and climbing into the cab for two full round trips to Holt and back. There’s then time for a light lunch before catching the train to Weybourne for a guided tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds before returning to Sheringham. The session ends the presentation of a certificate as a souvenir of the day. Participants may bring up to six guests to spectate (they will not be able to ride in the cab) but they arrive at 11.00am travel in one of the carriages on the train, enjoy lunch and join the guided tour. Guests are charged at £25 each. Afternoon sessions start at 12.30 at Sheringham for participants and their guests. After checking in, you will travel by train to Weybourne to take a look behind the scenes on a tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds. After travelling back to Sheringham, participants will meet the engine crew on the footplate followed by the chance to drive and be secondman on the locomotive during two return trips to Holt. Guests can ride in one of the carriages of the private train during the first of these trips and have free time in Sheringham while participants complete the second run. The afternoon ends with tea and cake for participants along with the presentation of a souvenir certificate. Guests are charged at £25 each. ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further details: https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/diesel-driver-experience/

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

A half-day or evening with an experienced crew aboard the footplate!

Our bronze experience gives you a taste of driving and firing during two return journey over the full length of our picturesque line from Sheringham and Holt. Climb aboard a steam engine (on its own, without a train) and take the controls under the guidance of an experienced crew. You will alternate between driving and firing, spending 11 miles doing each and learning about the workings of the engine and the railway. The bronze experience is offered on several dates throughout the year usually starting at 9.45, 12.45 or 16.45. We are able to accommodate 2 participants on each session. Your experience begins at Sheringham with a welcoming drink and a slice of cake before participants join the driver and fireman on the footplate of the locomotive. At the end of the session each participant is awarded a certificate as a souvenir of the experience. ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further details: https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/steam-driver-experience-day/

On Saturdays 31 May, 19 July and 06 September 2025 you can get a feel of a first generation mainline diesel and experience the sheer power as you unleash its engine to tackle our steeply graded railway! You will get to pull a rake of 1950s passenger coaches when you drive a round trip of the line up to our boundary gate at Thame Junction and return, all made under guidance from our experienced driving instructor. We are confident you will have a great time!

Our friendly and knowledgeable train crew will look after all our new drivers and guide them throughout their Diesel Driver Experience. Your session will begin with a safety briefing, followed by a familiarisation session with the locomotive to show how it works and the operation of its controls. We'll be getting you used to starting and stopping the train safely along the seven-mile round trip of the line. You will actually get two trips in the cab, one as a driver and one as an observer. You can also bring along up to six guests for a free ride in the passenger coaches if arranged in advance – share the fun with family and/or friends! Your party are free to travel on the train on as many trips as you wish (five in all). In addition, you and your guests are welcome to stay for more trips of the line and please do discuss with Chris by email below. The price is £425 for each session. Refreshments Your Driving Experience course price includes refreshments for the driver and one guest. We will be delighted to provide refreshments for additional guests at our regular prices. The driver and special requests If you are buying this experience as a gift please let us know the name of the driver in the additional information box on the booking form. Our aim is to ensure all of our visitors to have a wonderful and memorable visit with us. If you have a special request then do let us know (email below) and we’ll see how we can accommodate your wishes. For further information and to book? You can book online below, or if you would like to find out more including diesel locomotive availability please email Chris, Experiences Coordinator, at driverexperience@chinnorrailway.co.uk THE PARTICIPANT MUST: 1. Be aged over 18 years 2. Be reasonably fit and in good health - fit enough to climb on and off the locomotive from ground level unaided 3. Wear old clothing that fully covers the arms and legs 4. Wear sturdy shoes or boots that protect the feet - trainers are not permitted 5. Not travel in the cab under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Please note that the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway reserves the right to reschedule any diesel footplate ride or refuse entry for whatever reason. The ride is for one adult participant aged 18 years or over and no other guests are allowed on the footplate.

Step onto the footplate for a full day of hands on steam action. Drive and fire a real GWR steam engine over 28 miles, tour Buckfastleigh Station, and bring up to six guests to enjoy the day alongside you.

Turn a dream into reality with our flagship steam locomotive experience. This full day package gives you the chance to take both the regulator and the shovel aboard a Great Western Railway steam engine on the South Devon Railway. Your day starts at Buckfastleigh Station at 0830 with a welcome briefing and a guided tour of the station, yard, and running shed, where your locomotive is being prepared. You will meet your crew and then head out onto the footplate for a day of unforgettable railway action. Each experience is shared with three other participants. Two people are on the footplate at a time, one driving, one firing, while the others travel in the train with their guests. You will rotate throughout the day, making four round trips in total and covering 28 miles, with equal time in both roles. You can bring up to six guests to share the day with you, travelling in the carriages and watching your turns on the engine. Hot and cold drinks are provided for participants, and you will receive a personalised certificate at the end of the day.

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

A half-day or evening with an experienced crew aboard the footplate!

Our bronze experience gives you a taste of driving and firing during two return journey over the full length of our picturesque line from Sheringham and Holt. Climb aboard a steam engine (on its own, without a train) and take the controls under the guidance of an experienced crew. You will alternate between driving and firing, spending 11 miles doing each and learning about the workings of the engine and the railway. The bronze experience is offered on several dates throughout the year usually starting at 9.45, 12.45 or 16.45. We are able to accommodate 2 participants on each session. Your experience begins at Sheringham with a welcoming drink and a slice of cake before participants join the driver and fireman on the footplate of the locomotive. At the end of the session each participant is awarded a certificate as a souvenir of the experience. ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further details: https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/steam-driver-experience-day/

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

Step into the shoes of a diesel driver!

Our Diesel Driver experiences give you the opportunity to be at the controls for over the full length of our picturesque line between Sheringham and Holt. BRONZE DIESEL EXPERIENCE This experience gives you a taste of being a secondman and of driving during a return journey between Sheringham and Holt. Climb aboard a powerful diesel locomotive (on its own, without a train) for two 11 mile trips. You will alternate between being a secondman and of driving, spending 11 miles doing each and learning about the workings of the engine and the railway under the guidance of a fully qualified crew. The bronze experience is offered on several dates throughout the year usually starting at 09:45, 12:45 or 16.45. We are able to accommodate 2 participants on each session. Your experience begins at Sheringham with a welcoming drink and a slice of cake before participants join the driver and secondman in the cab of the locomotive. At the end of the session each participant is awarded a certificate as a souvenir of the experience. SILVER DIESEL EXPERIENCE Our silver diesel experience gives you the opportunity to have two complete round trips over the full length of our picturesque line working one of our magnificently-restored diesel locomotives at the head of a private train of passenger carriages between Sheringham and Holt. You will drive one trip and be secondman for the other, spending 11 miles doing each. You will learn about the workings of the engine and the operation of our railway under the guidance of our fully qualified crew, including the art of starting and stopping smoothly with a passenger train. The morning session begins at Sheringham at 9.00 where participants are welcomed with a bacon roll and mug of tea before meeting the engine crew and climbing into the cab for two full round trips to Holt and back. There’s then time for a light lunch before catching the train to Weybourne for a guided tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds before returning to Sheringham. The session ends the presentation of a certificate as a souvenir of the day. Participants may bring up to six guests to spectate (they will not be able to ride in the cab) but they arrive at 11.00am travel in one of the carriages on the train, enjoy lunch and join the guided tour. Guests are charged at £25 each. Afternoon sessions start at 12.30 at Sheringham for participants and their guests. After checking in, you will travel by train to Weybourne to take a look behind the scenes on a tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds. After travelling back to Sheringham, participants will meet the engine crew on the footplate followed by the chance to drive and be secondman on the locomotive during two return trips to Holt. Guests can ride in one of the carriages of the private train during the first of these trips and have free time in Sheringham while participants complete the second run. The afternoon ends with tea and cake for participants along with the presentation of a souvenir certificate. Guests are charged at £25 each. ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further details: https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/diesel-driver-experience/

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

Step into the shoes of a diesel driver!

Our Diesel Driver experiences give you the opportunity to be at the controls for over the full length of our picturesque line between Sheringham and Holt. BRONZE DIESEL EXPERIENCE This experience gives you a taste of being a secondman and of driving during a return journey between Sheringham and Holt. Climb aboard a powerful diesel locomotive (on its own, without a train) for two 11 mile trips. You will alternate between being a secondman and of driving, spending 11 miles doing each and learning about the workings of the engine and the railway under the guidance of a fully qualified crew. The bronze experience is offered on several dates throughout the year usually starting at 09:45, 12:45 or 16.45. We are able to accommodate 2 participants on each session. Your experience begins at Sheringham with a welcoming drink and a slice of cake before participants join the driver and secondman in the cab of the locomotive. At the end of the session each participant is awarded a certificate as a souvenir of the experience. SILVER DIESEL EXPERIENCE Our silver diesel experience gives you the opportunity to have two complete round trips over the full length of our picturesque line working one of our magnificently-restored diesel locomotives at the head of a private train of passenger carriages between Sheringham and Holt. You will drive one trip and be secondman for the other, spending 11 miles doing each. You will learn about the workings of the engine and the operation of our railway under the guidance of our fully qualified crew, including the art of starting and stopping smoothly with a passenger train. The morning session begins at Sheringham at 9.00 where participants are welcomed with a bacon roll and mug of tea before meeting the engine crew and climbing into the cab for two full round trips to Holt and back. There’s then time for a light lunch before catching the train to Weybourne for a guided tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds before returning to Sheringham. The session ends the presentation of a certificate as a souvenir of the day. Participants may bring up to six guests to spectate (they will not be able to ride in the cab) but they arrive at 11.00am travel in one of the carriages on the train, enjoy lunch and join the guided tour. Guests are charged at £25 each. Afternoon sessions start at 12.30 at Sheringham for participants and their guests. After checking in, you will travel by train to Weybourne to take a look behind the scenes on a tour of the Engine and Carriage Sheds. After travelling back to Sheringham, participants will meet the engine crew on the footplate followed by the chance to drive and be secondman on the locomotive during two return trips to Holt. Guests can ride in one of the carriages of the private train during the first of these trips and have free time in Sheringham while participants complete the second run. The afternoon ends with tea and cake for participants along with the presentation of a souvenir certificate. Guests are charged at £25 each. ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further details: https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/diesel-driver-experience/

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.

Take your footplate adventure further with an extended driving experience at the controls of a steam train with carriages. Twice the distance of the Bronze, this is the ultimate day for any railway enthusiast.

The Silver Edition of our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience offers an even deeper dive into the world of steam. You will drive a steam locomotive hauling coaches for a full 16-mile journey along the Great Central Railway and ride the footplate for another 16 miles, sharing the day with one other participant. It is a rare opportunity to take charge of a working train on Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway. Your day begins with a welcome briefing and introductory film, followed by the main footplate experience. Lunch is included for you and two guests, and you will enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and a visit to the Loughborough signal box. A presentation certificate and 12-month membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline are included, along with runabout tickets for the rest of the day. Whether for yourself or as an unforgettable gift, this is a real taste of the steam age brought to life.

Take the controls of a real steam locomotive and experience the power and thrill of driving it along Britain's only double-track main line heritage railway. An unforgettable hands-on day for anyone with a love of steam.

This is your chance to step into the boots of a steam locomotive driver and live the dream. Under expert guidance, you will take the controls for an eight-mile journey along the Great Central Railway, then ride the footplate for a further eight miles. The day begins with a welcome briefing and film introduction, followed by a shared driving session with one other participant. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive works and signal box, and lunch is included for both you and your guest. The experience includes a runabout ticket for passenger services for the rest of the day, a commemorative certificate, and 12 months membership of the Friends of the Great Central Mainline. With a full day immersed in railway heritage, this makes an ideal gift or personal milestone. No previous experience is needed - just a sense of adventure and a love of steam.