Driving Preserved Loco's

[73110]

Hi. I was just wondering how one gets to drive some of these preserved loco's on the private railways around the country.

Years ago I used to drive mixed traction on the south coast all over the place from 47's on the old Inter City to all kinds on ballast working all over the south. (33's 37's, 47's, 73's) This was before privatisation and now i only drive emu's.

I do miss driving the old 73's though. Am not too bothered about the 33/37/47's but I would love to have a go at driving a 73 again and see there are many dotted about the country at various railways.

So, how does one get to be a driver for these places? Do you have to have been working for that railway for a period of time before you get 'promoted' kind of thing?

I woldn't mind volunteering to drive a 73 again on a private railway somewhere but have no idea how to go about doing this.

Anyone from this excellent forum able to give me any advice or information regarding thiese things?

Thanks for reading

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

My suggestion would be to firstly join a local heritage railway as a voulanteer - its free of charge and you would be making a great contribution to the railway, as well as meet new people etc. Tell them that you have previously driven such locos on the mainline, this experiebnce to be fair puts you in a great position. Eventually once you have shown your dedication and commitent you could probably go on to driving at some stage.

 

[Flyboy]

Hi 73110 - I recommend you visit the Preserved Diesels website which will probably give you all the information you need.

Notably, there's a page on the site containing many shots of 73110 - HERE

 

[D9521]

its free of charge

Well it's not free of charge you have to pay a membership fee

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Well it's not free of charge you have to pay a membership fee

Granted in most instances you pay a membership fee-

but as far as the railway is concerned its voluntary work - hence they employ free of charge you don't get paid - hence its voluntary

Anyway its sound advice so best of luck mate!

 

[Galvanize]

Seeing as you live down on the South Coast, and you want to drive a 73 again, I recommend the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells which has a 73 and also 2 class 33 diesel locomotives.

Where were you based when you drove locomotives, as the other day I was talking to someone who was based at Redhill, working as a secondman during the BR era, then post privatisation became a guard on Connex, so was it Redhill or Eastleigh or something like that?

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Good call Galvanize, by all accounts the Spa Valley Railway is an abslute belter.

A couple of others on the south coast that may interest you in terms of diesel traction are the Swanage Railway and South Devon Railway.

If you need anymore info don;t hesitate to ask.

 

[simon 777]

He could also pop in the the bluebell,they have a ED