The Western Driver Footplate Experience Course

Not to be missed!

Drive a Western on the SVR!

Imagine sitting in the driving seat of a Western Class 52 diesel hydraulic? What about handling 2,700 bhp of with up to 72,000 lbs of pulling power? And what about being responsible for the awesome sound of the two 65 litre V12 Maybach MD655 engines as you haul a 200 tonne passenger train?

If it’s a yes, then you need to book one of our Severn Valley Railway Driver Experience Courses. Included in the course is a tour of the engine room, demonstration of the start up procedure, a close watch on “second man” duties, the opportunity to drive as well as the opportunity to travel in the rear cab plus an optional visit to one of the signal boxes.

The course price is £650 and the courses are extremely popular so you should book early to avoid disappointment. To register your interest with the SVR, please click here.

The Driving Experience

WLA are delighted to confirm that Driver Footplate Experience (DFE) courses are now available again. The SVR manage the courses and more detail, including availability, can be found on the SVR's web site by CLICKING HERE.

There is nothing quite like the sight and sound of a diesel locomotive in full cry! Choose your locomotive and experience the power and surge of adrenaline as you take the controls on our full day experience, including a tour of Kidderminster Diesel Depot!

Taking place throughout the year, you can experience the challenge of driving a diesel electric or diesel hydraulic locomotive hauling a heavy train of carriages in which your 10 guests can travel free of charge. Running over the whole length of the line, you will power through Bewdley Tunnel, glide across Victoria Bridge and storm up Eardington Bank.

The SVR's fleet of historic locomotives that are used on Diesel Footplate Experiences include: Class 17 D8568, Class 42 D821 Greyhound, Class 50s (50033 Glorious or 50035 Ark Royal) and Class 52s (D1015 Western Champion or D1062 Western Courier).

What’s included:

• Travel in the cab; driving for 8 miles, and acting as second man for 8 miles. A further 16 miles is spent in the rear cab of the locomotive (only available when locomotives with 2 cabs are used), with the option to spend an additional 32 miles travelling in the train with your guests.
• Travelling a total journey of 32 miles; going through Bewdley Tunnel, over Victoria Bridge and up Eardington Bank.
• Safety briefing before the session commences at Bewdley
• Tour of award-winning Kidderminster Diesel Depot and locomotive engine room, including a start-up procedure demonstration.
• Only 4 participants per experience. Bring along up to 10 guests who can travel in the carriages behind the locomotive free of charge.
• Opportunities for photographs.
• A presentation folder with a certificate and memento of your experience.

Price: £650.00

SVR Course Dates:

• 5, 12, 26 June 2026
• 3, 10, 31 July 2026
• 7, 14, 21 August 2026
• 4 September 2026

Course Dates for D1062:

Friday, 26 June 2026

Friday, 3 July 2026

Friday, 14 August 2026

Here's what others say about the WLA's Class 52 DFE courses: Bloody enjoyable! Overwhelming! Best day of my life! Addictive! Better than being married!

To register your interest with the SVR, please CICK HERE!

Want to know more detail? For detailed notes on DFE Operations for 2025, please CLICK HERE!

Like to know what our Class 52 Drivers have to learn about? Our Class 52 Driver's Manual is HERE! Fortunately, if you are on a DFE Course, you will be taught what to do, without the need for ten years of training and with no requirement to read or to understand the Driver's Manual! Simply CLICK HERE!