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Drive a Train at Sherwood Forest

Nottinghamshire
REF: SFRTAS
Rated Based On 23 Reviews

• Drive a 5/8th scale steam loco in Nottinghamshire
• The Sherwood Forest Railway - a family concern
• You will be a VIP for the day driving the train
• The current 15" gauge line is 1-mile long
 
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What's Included

• Driving session on a narrow gauge steam engine
• A health and safety briefing and instruction session to start
• 1:1 instruction and the chance to drive the Sherwood Forest Railway track
• Driving time is around 30-40 minutes but you should allow up to 1 hour for this experience

What Can I Expect

When it comes to cuteness, the Sherwood Forest Railway wins hands down! It's a whole world of steam all in miniature, at this delightful family-owned railway that runs along the edge of the former Sherwood Forest farm park area - and this experience will see you getting to drive one of the steam locos.

The SFR (as the Sherwood Forest Railway is know to locals and fans!) is Nottinghamshire's only 15" railway. Rolling on this narrow gauge track are 5/8th scale locomotives, with both diesel and steam powered versions, along with a fine collection of bright and shiny passenger carriages. For this experience you will be driving one of the lovely steam trains.

The family who operates this charming railway originally bought steam locos Smokey Joe and Pet back in 1998, but it wasn't until 2000 that they had found the perfect location on the edge of Sherwood Forest to build their railway track. Each year the line is extended and now stands at one mile, complete with two level crossings, a tunnel and two stations at Loxley and Welldale. There's even another steam loco (Doodlebug) coming onboard to join the original duo.

You might think that these small, yet perfectly formed trains and carriages are for leisure use only, but in fact back in the 19th and early 20th century, narrow gauge set ups were used to help construct railways, roads and waterways. The layout of this Sherwood-based railway is in former flood dykes used to irrigate the fields surrounded by forest and woodland and makes good use of the original cuttings and straight lines!

On your very special Sherwood Forest Railway experience , you will be a VIP guest at this wonderful attraction. After a safety briefing, you will shown how to fire up the steam loco as you head off for a full return trip along the line with you on the footplate doing all the hard work! Brilliant fun and a fantastic atmosphere at this mini-scale steam railway.

Availability

• Trains run 7 days a week from March to November (limited availability on weekend dates)
• Trains operate from 11.00am to 4:30pm

Location

• Sherwood Forest Railway, Nottinghamshire

Suitable For

• There is a minimum age of 18 years
• Maximum weight of 18 stone

Spectators

• Friends and family are welcome to come along and watch you depart from the platform
• Entry is free when the railway is running
• Train rides are £2.00 per person
• Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome and can ride for free

Anything Else

• Hot and cold refreshments are available
• Toilets and kids play areas are onsite
• Picnic areas are available

Reviews

4 out of 5 stars

Average Rating: 4
Total Reviews: 23

Find out what other customers think of the experience

Reviews

  based on 23 reviews

Rating: 4 stars
Philip Stiles
A very enjoyable experience. The instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly and put me at ease ...
Rating: 4 stars
Charles
Great day. Well managed and very enjoyable. Was fantastic to be able to drive the train while the ...
Rating: 4 stars
John Foster
Helpful staff, will be better when the extension is opened and a longer journey can be achieved. On...
Rating: 4 stars
Jose
A very good experience, even in Covid-restricted times. The staff is very friendly and informative,...
Rating: 4 stars
Leslie Amos
Very informative staff giving clear instructions and helpful advice
Rating: 4 stars
Denzil Inman
Great experience. Very friendly & knowlegable instructor gave plenty of instruction in easily under...
Rating: 4 stars
Chris Thomas
A great experience. My fiancé loved driving the train, and had a fantastic time.
Rating: 4 stars
Roger Guy
It was a very enjoyable experience for a life long steam lover. The instructor gave a very comprehe...
Rating: 4 stars
Sam Waller
An absolutely fantastic day, really friendly, would galadly do it again!
Rating: 4 stars
David Pattison
This was a great experience. All the staff made me feel very welcome upon arrival they showed me ar...
Rating: 4 stars
Jon White
Bought for Fathers Day present.Lovely setting and friendly staff. Plenty for kids to do who came to...
Rating: 4 stars
Andrea Elsbury
Excellent experience. Warm welcome from staff and all very knowledgable. Venue easy to find and th...
Rating: 4 stars
David Terry
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, David the instructor/owner was very thorough and pleasant throu...
Rating: 4 stars
Michael Shaw
Friendly, helpful and informative host. Time flew. Most enjoyable. A certificate?
Rating: 4 stars
Jeremy Clapham
So long as you're aged between birth and decomposition you can not fail but to have a great time. ...
Rating: 4 stars
Emily Reynolds
Had an excellent time, the venue and experience were great and the hospitality was excellent. The h...
Rating: 4 stars
frank Milward
excellent to see the work put into train track,engine etc.What a hobby!! Our grandchildren also en...
Rating: 4 stars
Jules
Very nice people, no problems at all. Free tea on arrival.
Rating: 4 stars
Peter Gallagher
This was an excellent experience, the staff were very friendly and went through all the pre safety ...
Rating: 4 stars
John Williams
A friendly welcome, Smokey Joe our engine for the day was demonstrating that you don't just turn a ...
Rating: 4 stars
Dawn
I purchased this experience for my Dad's 70th Birthday as he is a steam train enthusiast. We had a ...
Rating: 4 stars
Howard Whatmough
I had a really great day, however, there was nothing at the end to show my completion. I feel a cer...
Rating: 4 stars
ian fell
friendly atmosphere and volunteers very sociable however the actual driving was somewhat short when...