Steam Engineman Courses - anyone done one/several?

fake plastic kiwi · Post by **fake plastic kiwi** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:47 pm

Afternoon All

I have no doubt that the answer to the above question will be a resounding "yes" for one or 2 of you!

Do you have any recommendations as to which "Drive a Loco" course has really stood out as excellent for you?

Several local heritage operations seem to offer them, but as the WSR appears to be almost fully booked already, I guess that's not an option. The only dates they have are in March, when I'm back in NZ for a month!

Darn!

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:26 pm

I've only done one on the Severn Valley some years ago, so I can't draw any comparisons, but I had no complaints with the SVR

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:42 pm

I had a course at Bitton as my 50th birthday present some years ago. It was a great day on the footplate of the M7.

jules · Post by **jules** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 12:19 am

For those of you who might be interested, we'll also be starting Diesel Driver Experience courses on the WSR soon. As soon as we've got the logisitics in place.

Your chance to get behind the controls of a 25, 33, 47 or even a Hymek

tonyperks · Post by **tonyperks** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:20 am

I'd be up for a course at the wsr, Jules keep me/us posted please.

nickt · Post by **nickt** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:22 pm

Depending on where you are situated there is also the East Somerset Railway. Cranmore.
We have run Footplate experience courses for a number of years with many satisfied customers. Two levels of course (std or premier). Not the longest of lines but a good day.

nickt · Post by **nickt** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:25 pm

Jules l'd be interested in diesel fpe if or when wsr starts running course. Please post more details as and when.

jules · Post by **jules** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:55 pm

Thanks for your interest in our Diesel courses guys. I am in the USA at the moment so a little out of touch with happenings down on the WSR, but a colleague has just informed me they are getting close to sorting out all the practicalities for this new venture (like within a week or two).

There is a lot to consider when doing something new on any railway: supervising driver provision, loco provision, train paths, safety case matters, guest accommodation and food, training materials, promotion ... list is endless, but as BR used to say, we're getting there!

My colleague has promised to post here and keep you up to date. Or you can mail him direct at:

wsrdepg at yahoo dot com

He is keeping a mailing list of those interested. Also you can visit the D&EPG website: www.depg.org

Cheers!

fake plastic kiwi · Post by **fake plastic kiwi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:51 pm

Jules - yes please! Would definitely be interested in diesel, just as much as steam. Please add me to the mailing list if possible. Many Thanks!

Nickt - thanks for the advice re: the ESR. Similar distance for me, (from Bristol), so that would be just as good. It's more the experience than the distance, for me, at first... and to see if I have the aptitude for taking it further.

I can always "migrate" to a longer route or more complex consist once I've exhausted the possibilities of a smaller operation, but for now, I'm a total rookie and nowhere near that point yet!

jules · Post by **jules** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:11 pm

Kiwi - Thanks for your interest also. If you want to take it further, the best way is to join a preservation group or preserved railway and become an active volunteer.

You will be made very welcome wherever you go ...

Nobody is going to come from a Driver Experience course and end up as a qualified driver - they are for "the experience" as in having an interesting time, rather than as in becoming "experienced". But as you say, they are good to see if you like the work and have the necessary aptitude for it.

After that follows years of learning the rule book, the road, the various classes of locos, their technicalities, medicals, shunting, second-manning and a host of other duties ... but it is all good fun and very worthwhile

fake plastic kiwi · Post by **fake plastic kiwi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:39 pm

Sorry. Didn't mean to give the impression that I meant I thought it would lead to a job!

As you say, just for the experience! But even on heritage operations, it'd be nice to turn up as a volly and be able to say I'd already put my money where my mouth is and have at least half an understanding of what it feels like to drive that locomotive!