Steam train driving Staffordshire that’ll see you conquering the valleys and embankments of the Churnet Valley railway line. This is one of those things that everyone would love to do. If driving a steam train is on your ‘bucket list’ we can highly recommend these experiences in Staffordshire – the crews are friendly the scenery is stunning and the whole day out is great fun for all the family.
The ‘Regulator’ steam train experience offers one to one tuition driving one of this Staffordshire-based railway’s fully restored steam locomotives without carriages attached. You will be shown around the the loco you’ll be driving which could be No. 6046 that was built in Pennsylvania before being exported to France in 1945 or perhaps No 69621 another beautifully restored steam loco. Once onboard the train driver will give you ‘on the job’ training as you head off along the track for 12 miles.
The ‘Toplink course’ in Staffordshire will see you being responsible for stoking up for the steam on the train and driving her with a rake of carriages attached. What we love most about this experience is that you can invite up to six friends and family to ride as passengers in the carriages of the train you will actually be driving. This experience is shared with one other driver so you will alternate between the roles of firing and driving along the extended 23 mile Churnet Valley route.
The ultimate day out at this wonderful venue at Frogshall near Stafford is the ‘Cauldon Lowe’ course. You will spend all day at the base and you’ll feel like a fully integrated member of the steam train crew as you have six hours of stoking and driving ahead. Covering 41 miles you will tackle some of the steepest gradients on the Valley and Lowe lines culminating in the summit at Ipstones. And of course you can invite guests to be passengers.
When you pull back into the station and your steam train driving in Staffordshire session comes to a close you will be presented with a certificate and a Churnet Valley Railway polo shirt. You will also be able to spend time having a look in the museum and loco sheds at the main Cheddleton Station giving you a superb full day out. So blow the whistle stoke the coal open the regulator and feel the power of steam driving thee superb locos at one of Staffordshire’s top attractions!
