Class 33 Driving Experience
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We are delighted to announce the first run of our new Class 33 driver experience trains using an historic locomotive that hauled London to Swanage trains in 1966 and was the last locomotive to run to Wimborne in 1977.
The Swanage Railway is proud to be offering customers the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of driving our Class 33 diesel electric locomotive.
Built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in 1960 for the Southern Region of British Railways, these reliable and ubiquitous icons of the Southern Region of British Railways hauled all forms of freight and passenger workings from the twilight period of Southern Steam in the 1960s through to the days of Network South East and beyond.
The popular and reliable Class 33 diesel electrics hauled trains between Bournemouth and Weymouth from 1967 to 1988 while also hauling London to Swanage trains between 1967 and 1969 as well as freight trains to Blandford, Ringwood, West Moors and Wimborne between 1967 and 1977.
Under the expert and friendly guidance of our friendly and knowledgeable drivers, participants will be given the opportunity to drive a class over the gradients between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden with a train.
- One round trip on our five and a half mile line – that is 11 miles of driving the irconic Class 33.
- You drive one round trip from Swanage to Norden and return.
- Your driver experience lasts around one hour.
After the driver experience, participants will be presented with a Swanage Railway gift bag which includes a framed certificate and a Swanage Railway driver experience mug.
There are photographic opportunities with the locomotive at Swanage and Norden stations for the family and friends of driver experience participants.
Whether you are seeking the perfect present for a special someone who loves Class 33s as much as we do, or whether you are looking for the exciting chance of a lifetime, this experience is tailored to you.
£270 per person.
Dates for Class 33 Driving Experience
| 2nd May 2025 | SOLD OUT |
Terms and Conditions
Important Note: If you are booking this as a surprise for someone, please supply an alternative name, contact address, telephone number and email address so that we do not inadvertently spoil the surprise.
For full details please contact our reservations team on 01929 475207.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
DRIVER EXPERIENCE AND FOOTPLATE RIDES
Persons taking part in these events must:
i) be able to climb up to and down from the Locomotive cab unaided.
ii) be 18 years of age or older.
Iii) not be under the influence of alchohol or drugs
iv) not suffer from epilepsy, any intolerance to heat, or other illness which may create a dangerous situation to occur on the footplate.
v) must sign a declaration as part of the pre-travel briefing and listen to and comply with all instructions and directions given by the Locomotive crew and any other Authorised person.
vi) Overalls or clothing which you do not mind possibly getting grubby should be worn. Long trousers, long shirt sleeves and enclosed shoes (i.e. not sandals) are compulsory . If the person travelling possesses safety shoes or boots these are ideal, but not essential.
vii) Customers must check in at Swanage Ticket Office at least 30 minutes before advertised departure time for safety briefing and introduction. Trains cannot be delayed for late arrivals. The Company will endeavour to move a late arrival to another departure, subject to space, but cannot guarantee such a space as these events generally sell out well in advance. The Company will not be liable for any loss as a result of a passenger arriving late.
All bookings are final, no refunds.
