Anyone who wishes to relive their boyhood dream of becoming an engine driver can do so at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway next Sunday, 8 October.
On that day, participants will have the chance to drive a 2-foot gauge steam engine along the entire length of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Several slots are available throughout the day where budding engine drivers can receive one-to-one tuition on how to drive steam engine Gelert from a skilled engine driver and have the chance to drive a train from Porthmadog to Pen-Y-mount and return.
Driving sessions will start at 10.45 am and run at 15-minute intervals. Sessions can be booked in advance at bookings@whr.co.uk, but sessions can be booked on the day on a turn-up and wait on a first-come first-served basis. However, booked time slots will take precedence over turn up on the day participants.
The charge for each 15-minute session is £40, which will include one-to-one driving instruction from an experienced driver and a round trip with your hand on the regulator from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Mount.
After the driving experience, there will be the chance to visit the railway's shop which will also be open all day for all your book and model needs.
The driving experience will be on the railway's 0-4-2 side tank steam locomotive, Gelert, which was built in 1953 by Bagnall. It was originally one of four similar locomotives purchased by the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa where it carried No.4.
Gelert's sister, No.3, also worked at the Rustenberg Platinum Mines and is awaiting restoration. Both locomotives arrived at Porthmadog in April 1982, and restoration of No. 4 was completed in 1992, with the locomotive receiving its name of Gelert and entering service in August of that year.
