Driver Experience Days

Ever wondered what its like to drive a miniature locomotive? Challenge yourself to maintain steam pressure, water levels, etc. while running between our timetabled service trains. (Don't worry, your instructor will help keep you in full steam!)

Enjoy a day driving one of the railway's 7¼" narrow gauge steam locomotives and during the afternoon take your family/friends group for a trip around our 1 mile circuit.

We offer a range of different experiences

Steam - Full Day - Over 16yrs
Electric - Adult (Full Day), Junior (Half Day)

Below is an example of what will be covered, you will learn how to:

Prepare a loco, oiling up and raising steam
Identify all the controls and how/when to use them
Understand basic signalling procedures
Drive under close supervision throughout the day
Progress through our half-mile circuit with station stops, to the full mile circuit
Learn how to maintain preesure/water while on the move, and try a non-stop run
Haul your friends/family group on a full 1 mile circuit

Your package includes all necessary equipment, training and supervision to ensure you have a safe and memorable hands-on experience and even includes a commemorative certificate.

Battery Electric experiences which can still provide its own unique challenges. Drive one of our diesels with one of our experienced drivers taking a small group of your family/friends with you.

For the younger enthusiasts, we have junior driver experiences. Dependant on age (minimum preferred age 16) and skill level, we tailor the experience to the visitor. Our calm, relaxed instructors will guide the visitor through the controls, and allow them to take charge of the train around our full mile circuit, while parents/gaurdians accompany them on the train. For older children, we have offered half day junior steam experiences, similar to the full experience but tailored to the visitor. Again parents/guardians will be invited to accompany them throughout.

**The 2024 season has closed, application can be made to be added to the 2025 list. We will contact you in Janary 2025 to arrange suitable dates**** We are currently only taking booking for Junior Experiences.

Steam Locomotive Driving Experience Days cost just £200

Half-day battery electric experiences at just £100

Junior driving experiences from just £65

For further information please contact:
driverexperience@bentleyrailway.co.uk

Please complete the below form to place your booking now!

Application Form

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(if under 18):

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Terms and Conditions

During the driver experience, your friends and family will be able to make use of the facilities at the railway.
Cancellation - Bentley Miniature Railway reserves the right to postpone a booking if there is heavy rain or for other operational or staffing reasons. This will be because of safety and the decision of our Duty Manager is final. If bad weather does not affect our safety systems the booking may go ahead if you wish. If you cancel your booking giving more than 48 hours' notice your payment will be refunded, or your booking can be postponed to a later date. If you cancel your booking giving less than 48hours' notice your payment will not be refunded, or your booking can be postponed to a later date.
Locomotives - Bentley Miniature Railway operates Battery Electric, Petrol, Diesel, and Steam locomotives. Please note that, although we will always try and meet an organiser’s wishes, our locomotives are privately owned by individual members and it is therefore not possible to guarantee to provide any particular locomotive.
Safety - A senior member of our staff is appointed as Duty Manager whenever the railway is operating and they are responsible for all aspects of the day’s operation. Please make yourselves known to the Duty Manager when you arrive at the railway, and any concerns should be discussed with them.
We take safety very seriously and ensure that our locomotives and rolling stock are properly maintained and certified (where necessary) and that all operating rules are followed.
Minimum preferred age: 16 years
The fee does not include admission to Bentley Park Estate or access to other parties within The Estate.
Payment must be made in advance