Drive a Train
2026 Season now Available
We're pleased to bring back our Driver Experiences onboard the footplate of a steam engine, in the cab of a heritage diesel locomotive, or, new for 2026, the cab of a 1903 NER Autocar. Now’s your chance to take the controls and drive along our heritage line through the heart of the North York Moors National Park.
The Drive of Your Life
Our Driver Experiences put you at the controls for an unforgettable trip. Whether you choose steam, diesel or Autocar, you'll join our expert crew on a dedicated light-engine run; no carriages, just the loco, your fellow participant, our team and the line ahead.
Hands-On Experience
You'll spend half the journey driving and the other half observing, swapping roles with a fellow participant. It’s an authentic, hands-on experience, designed to give you a taste of what it’s like to be on the footplate of a working locomotive.
New for 2026: Autocar Driver Experiences
Built in 1903 at York's historic carriage works, this Petrol Electric Autocar served the NER network around Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Scarborough and beyond before spending 70 years as a holiday home near Pickering. Rescued and restored by the NER Electric Autocar Trust, it re-entered service in 2018. Now on loan to the NYMR, take the controls of this remarkable 123 year old DMU for yourself!
What's Included?
- 36-mile round trip in the cab/footplate of one of our locomotives or the Autocar.
- You'll drive, with guidance from our footplate team, for either the full outbound journey or full return journey (18-miles of driving).
- A food and drink voucher for our Station Tea Room.
- A souvenir locomotive theory booklet.
- Signed driver's certificate.
- A 10% off discount voucher to use in our Station Shops.
- Your journey has helped support the Charity.
Booking & Fares
This is a bucket-list experience, which is a perfect gift for those looking to get hands-on with one of our locomotives. The experience operates on various dates. Please note that two spaces need to be booked per service to make the experience viable to run. If there is only one person booked per service, we may ask you to move to another date.
Steam Driver Experiences - £850 Starts from and return to Grosmont Station (YO22 5QE), starting at either 10:30 (concludes 14:10) or 14:00 (concludes 18:10).
PICKERING Diesel Driver Experiences - £650 Starts from and return to Pickering Station (YO18 7AJ), starting at 10:00 (concludes 12:40).
GROSMONT Diesel Driver Experiences - £650 Starts from and return to Grosmont Station (YO22 5QE), starting at 11:35 (concludes 14:10).
Autocar Driver Experiences - £750 Starts from and return to Pickering Station (YO18 7AJ), starting at 10:00 (concludes 12:40).
A £1.50 booking fee applies per booking.
Book Your Experience Today Terms & Conditions
Please Note
- If you are a purchasing a Driver Experience as a gift and do not know the recipients details, please purchase a Gift Voucher for the correct amount so that the participant can complete their personal details.
- All courses are available for physically fit participants aged 18 years plus.
- Please arrive 45 minutes before your experience starts, your service will depart from Grosmont Station. Please visit the Station Shop on Platform 2 when you arrive.
- This is a Light Engine dedicated service, meaning that there is only the locomotive in use, there are no carriages connected. Friends or relatives are unable to join you on board, unless you purchase both available slots together on the same session.
- A confidential Medical Questionnaire and Briefing Document must be completed at least 10 days ahead of your booked visit date, details and questionnaire link will be in your Booking Confirmation email.
- Your driver experience locomotive allocation is subject to availability on the date of your experience, it is likely to be No. 29 for Steam Driver Experiences and one of our diesel locomotives for Diesel Driver Experiences.