Victorian Goldfields Railway

Steam Driver Experience

The Victorian Goldfields Railway offers you
the opportunity to drive a steam locomotive

This Experience is for Everyone!

The Steam Driver Experience is for those who enjoy the sights and sounds of a steam locomotive. You need no previous railway knowledge or experience - we will teach you the basics of driving a steam locomotive.

If you are over 21 and of reasonable health and fitness - this experience is for you.

Driver Ian at the controls of K160


The Locomotives

You will drive either a J class or K Class Steam Locomotive.
The locomotive you will be driving is one of our regular service engines. Maintenance requirements may determine which locomotive is available for use on your experience.

When can the Experience take place?

The Steam Driver Experience can be enjoyed on any day when we are not running passenger services. Bookings may be limited during the summer fire danger period months (December - March).

What’s Involved?

With confirmation of your booking, you will receive a set of course notes to read through before attending the experience

  • The day starts at 8.15 am.
  • First up familiarization and locomotive preparation.
  • Review & discuss training notes.
  • You will drive the steam locomotive with its goods train for one return trip between Maldon and Castlemaine.
    [A total of 34 km]
  • You receive instruction to enable you to safely operate the train under the supervision of our instructing driver.
  • By late afternoon you will have received your Certificate of Achievement, be tired, dirty and very satisfied with your days efforts.

Cost

The Steam Driver Experience is $1750 incl. GST

Included in the Experience fee is:

  • LUNCH - will be provided for you as part of the Experience and can be provided for your partner or family at a nominal cost.
  • One year's Membership of the Castlemaine & Maldon Railway Preservation Society.

Map & Line Gradient Chart of the VGR

VGR Map (PDF ~ 130Kb)
Castlemaine - Maldon Gradient Diagram (PDF ~ 25Kb)

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION for two including continental breakfast at the Eaglehawk Motel in Maldon for the night before the Steam Driver Experience is available for $95.



WHAT PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

"I cannot express what a fantastic experience I had driving the loco under that wonderful crew on the day. I did not expect it to be as good to be quite honest - I still talk about it with excitement. The level of professionalism you apply to running VGR is outstanding. Sharing the day with my family and friends was an added bonus - they had a ball And we are still talking about it."
Rob Gibb.

"I can't say too much about your staff - they were wonderful. Ian and John were very friendly, professional in their knowledge and very patient with me. I was thrilled to be able to assist in most aspects of the locomotive's operation, including lighting the boiler, oiling, mechanical inspections, pressure and safety checks etc. Driving the engine was simply sensational! I was amazed how much work the driver has to do so that the locomotive is kept running correctly. But it was great fun!"
Martin Hayden.

"I would like to express my thanks to your society for making this experience available. The experience has left a great impression, not just for me, but also on the rest of my family. I speak highly of your organization to all others that I have contact with and recommend the experience to them."
Des Alexander.

"I would like to congratulate your Society on the concept of the Train Driver Experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. This concept allows us avid followers of the steam era a chance to live out some of our dreams, when we stand on the footplate of locos on open days and wish we could just pull on the regulator and just feel the energy of it moving from the platform. Thanks to your Society I have been able to fulfill that dream and it was a very fulfilling experience. I would like my thanks to go to the train crew of Ian, Paul and David for a day that I will not forget for a long time. Their knowledge and experience and their faith and confidence in me all helped to make the day very enjoyable. Once again,congratulations and a very big THANK YOU.
Regards, Ray.

J515 Leading A Driver Experience 20.6.2009
FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS

The information sheet and application form (PDF ~ 130Kb) contains the experience requirements, conditions and payment details along with details of locomotives, rolling stock and the course timetable.

For more information -
contact -
Garry Aitchison
Marketing Officer
Victorian Goldfields Railway
PO Box 51,
Castlemaine Vic 3450

Telephone (03) 5470 6658
Facsimile (03) 5470 6272
E-mail marketing@vgr.com.au


Indulge yourself in our Steam Driver Experience,
or
arrange a date for a friend or relative
- the experience makes an exciting, unique and memorable gift !
Don't Just Ride It - Drive It!!
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