Here at the Derwent Valley Light Railway, we are pleased to offer a number of Driver Experiences to fit all pockets.
Experiences are offered during our running season which is Sundays and bank holidays between Easter and the end of September.
Bronze
Note: Once purchased you will receive a physical voucher in the post so please allow up to a week for delivery.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive a full-size locomotive?
Here at the Derwent Valley Light Railway, we are delighted to offer you the opportunity to do just that!
Participants must be 18 years old or above.
You can purchase your Driver Experience ticket in our station shop or from our website. Just ask any of our volunteers who will be glad to help.
Once purchased you will be given your chance to drive at the earliest opportunity, (depending on which locomotive you wish to drive) and when it will be in position for the Driver experience.
As soon as the locomotive and driver are ready, you will be invited into the cab where you will be given an introduction to the controls, (possibly a short demonstration). You will then be given the controls and talked through what to do as you drive the entire length of our track and back again.
If you are with friends, you will also have the opportunity to take photos to remember the occasion.
You will need a valid Murton Park ticket, or you can purchase one on the day which will gain you access to the entire site for 12 months including the DVLR when we are running passenger trains. (Special events excepted).
Note: Bronze driver experiences are only available on running days which are Sundays and Bank holidays from Easter until the end of September.
Note: Please be aware that you must bring your voucher on the day and exchange it for the experience. as we do operate a strict ‘No voucher No experience’ policy.
Buy it as a present for someone
Do you know someone who has always had an interest in railways? If so, why not buy them our Driver Experience either for their next birthday, Christmas or just because they deserve a treat.
There are many people who would love to receive a Driver Experience so go on, treat someone you know today!
Locomotives currently used for the Driver Experience:
British Railways 03079
British Railways D2245
Ruston & Hornsby 441934
Ruston & Hornsby 466630
The DVLRS reserve the right to suspend the Driver Experiences as and when necessary.
Silver
You will need a valid Murton Park ticket, or you can purchase one on the day which will gain you access to the entire site for 12 months and unlimited rides on the DVLR when we are running passenger trains. (Special events excepted).
Note: Once purchased you will receive a physical voucher in the post so please allow up to a week for delivery.
Have you ever dreamed about becoming a diesel train driver?
If the answer is yes then the Derwent Valley Light Railway has great pleasure in offering you a Diesel Driver Experience.
Participants must be 18 years old or above.
Your experience will start by being introduced to the rest of the staff needed to run the experience and a short safety briefing after which you will be taken out to your locomotive where you will prepare it for the day.
Once prepared you will be given the chance to take the controls and drive light engine (engine only) the entire length of the line and back and include some slow-motion control.
If all goes well you will be given the chance to buffer up to one of the wagons, couple it to the locomotive, and pull it the entire length of the line and back. Again if all goes well you will be given the chance to buffer up to the next wagon and after coupling up take the two wagons down the line and back
If you wish to take advantage of the Diesel Train Driver Experience you can e-mail us at info@dvlr.org.uk or ask one of our volunteers who will be very pleased to assist you.
Note: Silver driver experiences are only available on running days, which are Sundays and Bank holidays between Easter and the end of September, and start at 08:30 and last any from 1 to 2 hours depending on how you get on.
Gold
You will need a valid Murton Park ticket, or you can purchase one on the day which will gain you access to the entire site for 12 months and unlimited rides on the DVLR when we are running passenger trains. (Special events excepted).
Note: Once purchased you will receive a physical voucher in the post so please allow up to a week for delivery.
Have you ever dreamed about becoming a diesel train driver?
If the answer is yes then the Derwent Valley Light Railway has great pleasure in offering a one-day Diesel Driver Experience.
Participants must be 18 years old or above.
Your day will start by being introduced to the rest of the staff needed to run the experience and a short safety briefing after which you will be taken out to your locomotive where you will prepare it for a days running.
Once prepared you will be given the chance to take the controls and drive light engine (on its own) the entire length of the line and back.
On your return, you will work under the supervision of the Second man and learn how to couple the locomotive to the train and act as Second man on a number of runs of the train. You will have to uncouple the train at the run-round loop then set the points for the locomotive to run-round then couple the train again ready for the return trip.
After lunch you will work with the driver and learn how to buffer up and drive a fully fitted train down to the loop, then around the loop and back onto the mainline where you will buffer up again ready for the return trip.
You will also be given a guided tour behind the scenes including the signal box.
If you wish to take advantage of the Diesel Train Driver Experience you can e-mail us at info@dvlr.org.uk or ask one of our volunteers who will be very pleased to assist you.
Note: Gold driver experiences are only available on none running days
Note: Please be aware that you must bring your voucher on the day and exchange it for the experience. as we do operate a strict ‘No voucher No experience’ policy.
Pump Trolley
You will need a valid Murton Park ticket, or you can purchase one on the day which will gain you access to the entire site for 12 months and unlimited rides on the DVLR when we are running passenger trains. (Special events excepted).
Note: Once purchased you will receive a physical voucher in the post so please allow up to a week for delivery.
Here at the Derwent Valley Light Railway, we are excited to offer a unique experience of a lifetime to ride on an original Derwent Valley Light Railway Pump Trolley which was fully restored in 2017.
First offered in 2019, this experience proved to be very popular.
You will need to book your experience in advance by emailing info@dvlr.org.uk.
You will need a valid Yorkshire Museum of Farming ticket, or you can purchase one on the day which will gain you access to the entire site and unlimited train rides on the DVLR for 12 months, running days only, (Special Events excepted).
Additional Charge of £10 per person to ride the pump trolley, payable at the railway station shop.
Alternatively, you can buy a voucher from our website.
Find us at www.dvlr.org.uk or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Note: Please be aware that you must bring your voucher on the day and exchange it for the experience. as we do operate a strict ‘No voucher No experience’ policy..
Any of the above experiences can be bought as a gift either in the station shop or from this website.