Drive a steam train - Leics

Your drive a steam train day starts with an introduction from your host for the day at the main steam railway station in Loughborough, Leicestershire, with a hot drink and, of course, getting kitted out in the driver's overalls ready to step back in time as you walk along the beautifully restored platform.

After watching an introductory video and a safety briefing, you will be shown around the station. The tour includes the fully restored and working signal box and the extensive locomotive workshops staffed by skilled enthusiasts who can answer all your questions. The site is a veritable dream for all fans who've dreamt of having the chance to drive a steam train and the enthusiasm of the knowledgeable staff is infectious! A selection of alternative drive a train trips and excursions are available on our main train driving section as well as a raft of special occasion gift ideas on our inspirational gifts section, here.

Then it's time for the highlight of the day - your chance to climb aboard the footplate of a large mainline steam locomotive on Britain's only mainline heritage double track railway.  The mainline railway runs from Loughborough through some of the most beautiful countryside in the East Midlands and calls at two further stations before reaching the terminus at Leicester.

Bronze Drive a Steam Train Experience: You will be taken on an observation journey in a diesel train so that you can see the track and signals.  It's full steam ahead as you and another customer then take charge of a steam locomotive with a footplate crew in support for a 16 mile round trip.

Silver Drive a Steam Train Experience:  The pressure mounts, the fire is glowing.  You and another customer share responsibility to drive a steam train with a full rake of carriages over two return trips of the mainline, a total distance of over 30 miles.

Both experiences conclude with a presentation of a personalised certificate and an information pack. Lunch for the driver is included. Free tea and coffee is offered to all guests on arrival. Experience experts IntotheBlue  

Drive a steam train experiences last approximately eight hours and include a welcome briefing, introductory video, lunch for the driver, guided tour of the loco works, guided tour of signal box, personalised certificate. A free 'Through the Window' guide book is included as well as an offer for a years free membership to their supporting organisation.

Bronze Experience:  Route observation trip, 16 mile drive of a steam locomotive (shared with one other customer), train ticket and platform access for one guest.

Silver Experience:  30 mile drive of steam locomotive and carriages (shared with one other customer), train tickets and platform access for two guests.

The railway offers drive a steam train experiences between January and November.  Bronze experiences run most weekends.  Silver experiences on selected Mondays and Fridays. Due to the overwhelming popularity of these experiences, we recommend booking around six months in advance.

Participants must be over 21 years of age, physically and mentally fit due to the nature of the activity, but no previous experience is necessary.  The operator supplies overalls.  Customers are advised to wear stout footwear. Participants must have a reasonable level of fitness to be able to dismount from the engine cab unassisted.

Experiences include guest platform access and passenger steam train tickets (one for Bronze, two for Silver) for spectators.  Lunch is not included for spectators. Other guests are welcome but must buy a platform and/or train ticket (£12 adult, £8 child).  The station has a museum.  Guests may watch the driving from one of the stations and join in the tours and briefing.  On Silver experiences guests may ride in carriages being driven by the participant.