Driver Training Sessions
This year’s Driver Training sessions are in June, please see the calendar in the ‘News’ section.
Each year according to demand, we host Driver Training weekends. The Railway is turned over to the training of novices in the art of operating and running model steam locomotives.
The course is aimed at those who have either bought a working model from Silvercrest and the like or who own or are constructing a model – though there is nothing to stop any locomotive owner availing themselves of this opportunity to gain experience in a fully supervised enviroment on how to operate a locomotive. Competent drivers are also welcome to come and enjoy running on our Railway which will be operating to full size practice, fully signaled and block-worked.
Trainee drivers must be 14 years or older. For the morning session trainees are firstly briefed in the theory of the operation of steam locomotives and railways, followed by a walk around the track where the signals and point-work are explained to them. They are then shown how to raise a fire in a locomotive to raise steam, oil round and to do some simple driving movements; all under the direct supervision of an RSME experienced driver on a one-to-one basis.
After lunch they raise steam themselves and progress onto driving around the track and eventually hauling trains of coaches or wagons. In the past we have seen couples learning together (a case of if you cannot beat them, join them!).
There is ample accommodation available in the surrounding area for those from afar, contact us if you can not locate somewhere suitable.
Anyone wishing to apply, please go to the Driver Training Application form.
We have prepared some training notes which will help in the mastering of driving and fireing minature steam locomotives, they can be found here.