Driver Experiences
Drive and fire special Gala guest loco ex-L&YR No.52322 on 5th September – BOOK NOW!
Make someone’s dreams come true or realise your own ambitions with a Driver Experience or Footplate Ride at the Northampton & Lamport Railway.
Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime or realise a childhood dream. Step on board a heritage locomotive for an experience you’ll never forget!
Immerse yourself into the living, breathing world of a steam loco cab on a Steam Driving Experience or Footplate Ride. Alternative, feel the raw power of a Diesel Driver Experience or Cab Ride.
Treat yourself or someone special to an unforgettable experience, savouring the might of heritage diesel traction or the true magic of steam.
STEAM EXPERIENCES
Steam Driver Experience
DATES: 5th September ONLY (to drive special Gala guest loco ex-L&YR No. 52322!)
This is an exclusive opportunity to drive and fire a mainline tender locomotive on the NLR! This experience is strictly limited to one date only.
These are shared (but extended) experiences, with two participants on the footplate during each session. Each participant will drive for 45 mins and fire for 45 mins over the full length of our 2 mile line. The driving experience is preceded by a 20 min briefing and theory session (around 2 hours in total).
There are only 6 places available. Sessions begin at 9am, 11:15am and 1:30pm.
The loco will be coupled to a brake van, allowing up to 6 friends and family to join you on the experience (at no extra cost).
Participants will receive a souvenir certificate and a year’s membership of Northampton & Lamport Railway CIO (the Railway’s supporting charity – membership includes four magazines per year and travel concessions).
PRICE: £480
Participants must be aged 18+, in general good health and able to climb up and down the engine steps from the ground. This is intended to be a very ‘hands-on’ experience, which will involve moderate exertion.
Subject to demand, further dates may be added later in the year.
Terms and conditions apply (see T&Cs below).
Steam Footplate Ride
DATES: 26th July
Have you ever wanted to experience the sights and smells of the footplate of a working steam loco, get a driver’s eye view and see how it all works?
Footplate Rides are a spectating experience only. You will not be driving or firing. Each participant will ride in the loco cab for one round trip of the line during a normal public passenger service (roughly 30 mins). Only one participate is permitted on the footplate for each trip.
Friends and family can purchase normal train tickets to ride along in the main train carriages.
PRICE: £60
Participants must be aged 18+, in general good health and able to climb up and down the engine steps from the ground (in case of emergency).
Subject to demand, further dates may be added later in the year.
Terms and conditions apply (see T&Cs below).
Google 5 star review
“We booked the steam train driving experience for my Dad’s 65th birthday and it was brilliant! My Dad loved the experience of driving the train, and it was longer than we expected. The whole family were in the carriage being towed by the steam train.
The volunteers were really friendly and helpful…We will definitely visit again!”
David Piggott, March 2026
DIESEL EXPERIENCES
Diesel Driver Experience
DATES: All 2026 dates have currently SOLD OUT (more dates may be added later in the year)
Feel the raw power of a heritage mainline diesel loco, with our Diesel Driver Experience.
These will be private solo experiences, for one participant at a time, giving you an unbroken full hour of driving experience, going up and down the full length of our 2 mile line. This is preceded by a 30 min briefing and theory session (1.5 hours in total).
There are only 4 places available each day (9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm).
You will be driving either Class 31 No.31289 “Pheonix” or Class 31 No.31601 “Devon Diesel Society”.
The loco will be coupled to a brake van, allowing up to 6 friends and family to join you on the experience (at no extra cost).
Participants will receive a souvenir certificate and a year’s membership of Northampton & Lamport Railway CIO (the Railway’s supporting charity – membership includes four magazines per year and travel concessions).
Cost £260
Participants must be aged 18+, in general good health and able to climb up and down the loco steps from the ground. This is intended to be a very ‘hands-on’ experience, which will involve moderate exertion.
Subject to demand, further dates may be added later in the year.
Terms and conditions apply (see T&Cs below).
Diesel Cab Ride
DATES: 12th & 26th April, 14th June
Have you ever wanted to ride in the cab of a heritage mainline diesel loco?
Cab Rides are a spectating experience only. You will not be driving. Each participant will ride in the loco cab for one round trip of the line during a normal public passenger service (roughly 30 mins). Only one participate is permitted in the cab for each trip.
Friends and family can purchase normal train tickets to ride along in the main train carriages.
PRICE: £60
Participants must be aged 18+, in general good health and able to climb up and down the engine steps from the ground (in case of emergency).
Subject to demand, further dates may be added later in the year.
Terms and conditions apply (see T&Cs below).
Terms and Conditions
All experiences:
- Participants must be aged 18+, in general good health and able to climb up and down the engine steps/ladder from the ground (approximately 6 feet).
- Participants must listen to and follow all instructions from staff at all times.
- Participants must wear robust footwear and clothing that fully covers legs and arms and that can get dirty (leg cover is important to protect from the heat of the fire, so shorts are not appropriate).
- Participants must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs that cause drowsiness at the time of their experience. If staff believe this may be the case, participants may be refused entry to the loco.
- Northampton and Lamport Railway reserves the right to require a prospective participant to undergo a basic fitness examination by the railway medical officer.
- Participants must arrive at Pitsford and Brampton Station at least 10 mins before their booked experience start time and make themselves aware to staff.
- FILMING: Participants are allowed to film whilst on the footplate/in the cab, provided it does not in any way interfere with the safe operation of the train.
Steam Experiences:
- BE AWARE: A steam loco cab can be a noisy, hot, dusty, and sometimes cramped environment. The loco vibrates and rattles, and can lurch unpredictably, causing you to lose your balance. There are hot surfaces that will cause burns if touched.
- Participants should wear stout footwear, robust clothing, trousers and long sleeves. Clothes will get dirty, so please dress accordingly.
- Gloves will be provided.
- The Steam Driver Experience is intended to be a very ‘hands-on’ experience, which will involve moderate exertion.
Diesel Experiences:
- Participants should wear stout footwear, robust clothing and long sleeves. Clothes may get dirty, so please dress accordingly.