Have you ever wanted to drive a diesel railway locomotive? If yes then by taking part in a diesel driver experience at the Doon Valley Railway your dream can become true.

If someone you know like to drive a diesel railway locomotive, then a diesel driver experience would make an ideal birthday or Christmas gift or a special treat for them. 

After receiving a safety briefing, instructions and a demonstration from our driver, you will take full control of the locomotive and initially drive along the station platform to get a feel for the controls. Then you will head out of the station and along the ex-National Coal Board line up to Laight Farm Level crossing and back. You don’t just do this once but twice! All under the watchful eye and guidance of one of our experienced drivers.

You can bring guests with you on your visit to the railway who can watch you from the platform as you operate the locomotive and there is no charge for this.

Please note that this is an experience and does not qualify the participant as a diesel locomotive driver.

Locomotive

"Powfoot No1" diesel shunter built by Andrew Barclay, Sons & Co in Kilmarnock in 1941, works number 347. This locomotive was built as part of a War Department contract during World War 2 and it worked at munitions factories and spent most of its time at Powfoot, near Annan.

Experience on the day includes

• Initial safety brief
• Tour of the locomotive shed - not normally open to visitors
• Familiarisation on the locomotive and it's controlss
• 30 minute driver experience.
• Debrief and presentation of certification of your experience.
• Annual membership for ARPG (if not already a member)

Cost £100

To see the dates & times currently available click the "Buy Tickets" button.

Further dates will be added, so watch out for announcements on our social media.

Use A Gift Voucher

If you have received a gift voucher:

• Click the "Buy Tickets" button
• Select the date & time that you wish to book for your experience. Further dates will be added, so watch out for announcements on our social media if the date is not suitable.
• Click "Use promo, credit or voucher code" and then enter the voucher code and your details.

Safety Requirements

The participant who will be be taking part in the diesel driver experience:

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Have reasonable sight and hearing (corrected or aided)
• Be able to follow instructions given by the driver.
• Have an ability to stand without walking aids
• Be able to operate hand controls with both hands.
• Have an ability to climb a vertical ladder or steps from ground level to the footplate.
• Wear appropriate footwear, ie shoes or boots, no sandals, flip-flops etc.
• Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs that cause drowsiness or which may affect your vigilance.

The driving experience will be immediately terminated if at any point it is deemed unsafe for the participant to take part in the experience and no refund will be provided.

Additional Conditions of Booking
Your booking is only valid for the date and time you have booked.

Bookings can be amended or cancelled up to 14 days before the booked date. Transfer to an alternative date will be subject to availability. In the event of a cancellation up to 14 days before the booked date a full refund will be provided.

If the diesel driver experience has been purchased using a Doon Valley railway Gift Voucher any refund in the event of cancellation up to 14 days .

Tickets cannot be refunded if you are late or do not attend.  All participants are required to arrive at least 15 minutes before the time stated on their booking confirmation.

If you have any issues during your visit then please bring them to the attention of a member of staff so there is an opportunity to rectify the situation.

Whilst every effort is made to run the experience as advertised, the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group (ARPG), operators of the Doon Valley Railway, reserves the right to alter the experience, attractions and facilities without notice.

In the event of the ARPG cancelling the diesel driver experience then an alternative date and time will be arranged for the participant to have a diesel driver experience, or a full refund will be provided.

Any refunds will be paid to the original purchaser of the experience, or if purchased using a Doon Valley Railway gift voucher the original purchaser of the gift voucher.

The ARPG reserves the right to refuse access to, or remove from the train and /or site, any persons who are considered to be using inappropriate behaviour affecting the safety of the train, spoiling the enjoyment of others or failing to comply with any reasonable requests made by a member of staff.

Contact
For any enquiries about diesel driver experience bookings please email: doonvalleyrailway+diesel@gmail.com
For any general enquiries about the Doon Valley Railway please email: info@doonvalleyrailway.com