Model Railway Forum

Last November my wife got me a driver experience for my birthday at the Nene Valley Railway - what a day!! I cannot express enough how good the day was, how helpful and friendly the staff were and the enjoyment of momentarily controlling such a powerful machine.

It was only a couple of hours, but I really enjoyed it! The only negative was that they didnt have an LMS engine for me to drive, but you can't have everything I guess!!

Your face says everything.

Ian a fantastic experience. By the look one face you thoroughly enjoyed it.

Loved it - never thought i'd get the chance knowing how much those things cost...very "chuffed" with the wife to say the least!

Looks like I have to up- my game for her birthday's in the future!

You had better send her on the same course.

I have a similar ‘experience’ to book on the MHR this year but I’ll book for after the reopening of the line to Alston. After all I want the full experience not the abridged version.

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:29 pm You had better send her on the same course.

Ha! I am not entirely sure that would go down too well!!!, but I like your thinking!

Steve M wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 1:03 pm I have a similar ‘experience’ to book on the MHR this year but I’ll book for after the reopening of the line to Alston. After all I want the full experience not the abridged version.

You'll love it, i'm sure. Its amazing how little effort and gentle, controlled adjustment is needed get these beasts moving. As my instructor said - getting them moving is easy, stopping them where you want is the real challenge!!

We did a braking exercise and it really is an art to gently apply the brakes at exactly the right moment in order for it to stop. I was way too early and stopped 50 yards before the bridge, and my experience partner was a teeny weeny bit too far and went slightly under.

Learnt a lot about how loco's work and how aggressive actions can cause catestrophic damage to the firebox, tubes, boiler and wheels/tyres!

Ian