Goods Train Driving Experience
Having mastered the basic techniques with an ‘introduction’ course and possibly an ‘advanced’ course why not try a Goods Train Driving Experience? You will drive a goods train from Rolvenden to Bodiam and return under the careful supervision of your instructor. You will gain experience in operating a traditional goods train, controlling it by using only by the brakes on the locomotive and shunting it at Bodiam to form a new train.
ITINERARY
The day will start at 08.30 at Rolvenden when the two participants will meet their instructors and train crew for the day. A breakfast roll (fried egg, bacon and sausage) and copious quantities of tea will be served while a short safety briefing is given. One of the participants will then drive the steam locomotive and a brake van to Wittersham Road station where a goods train will be collected. Then on to Northiam for water and Bodiam for about an hour of intensive shunting to make up a new train. The complete train will then return to Rolvenden for a packed lunch. While the first participant is driving the other can opt to either fire the loco or travel with the Guard and Shunter in the brake van to discuss the morning’s work. If they wish they can also assist the Guard in operating level crossing gates and point levers during the shunting operations. Roles will be reversed after lunch and eventually, by about 16.30 all the rolling stock should be back where it came from in the morning and the course will end.
There are no other trains running on days when we run courses so you will have the railway to yourselves.
We are sorry but there are no facilities for friends and family to travel on this course due to the lack of passenger accommodation.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
One-year membership. Benefits include three free train rides and copies of the Tenterden Terrier magazine. Who knows where this may lead? You may want to carry on developing your skills by becoming one of our volunteers!
‘Certificate of Achievement’
Souvenir tee shirt and railway mug, or, if you already have these, a book and video can be substituted – please tell us in advance which you would prefer.
Breakfast roll, packed lunch and refreshments.
|
