DEMU 'Thumper' Driver Experience!

The unique 1317 is available for you to drive!
1317 is a stalwart of the railway, being one of the Class 207 'Thumper' units that provided the service on the line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge from the 1960s onwards. 1317 itself operated trains over the line on the final day of operation in 1985 - indeed, it hauled the penultimate passenger service paired with 1311 on 6th July 1985 before Britsh Rail closed the line and left it to become overgrown and even parts of it sold off for re-development.

Luckily, the thriving Spa Valley Railway came along and in 2004 when the 'Thumpers' (due to the noise of their 650hp engine) were withdrawn from mainline service we were able to preserve one for you to enjoy many years later. Driving 1317 is certainly an experience to remember and are part of history, driving a train on the very route it was designed for and once operated on.

To take part in this historic experience it'll cost you just £325 and you'll be given the opportunity to drive 1317 for a total of 8 miles from Tunbridge Wells West to Birchden Junction and return, a route the unit used to take almost daily in the 1970s and 80s.

The experience will last approximately 45 mins to 1 hour as you drive the unit through the glorious High Weald countryside. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the experience starting!

Includes:

• Drive of Class 207 DEMU 1317 for 8 miles.
• Goody bag with gift certificate.
• Photo opportunity at Birchden Junction and Tunbridge Wells West.
• Travel on 1317 for you and 1x guest during the day if the unit is in public service. 

 Please note the following/terms and conditions applicable to ALL Driver Experiences:

• Participants must be aged 18 or over and in good health.
• All steam or diesel locomotives and units are subject to availability.
• Please note this experiences is for one participant only and we cannot accommodate any guests on these days.
• You or the participant must be able to climb a 6ft vertical ladder to gain access to the locomotives footplate.
• You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Non-flammable clothing that covers both arms and legs plus strong footwear are required - we recommend steel toe capped boots.
• The Spa Valley reserves the right to cancel or suspend a driver experience if the participant is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or is seen to be physically not fit enough to undertake the experience.
• Please do bring a camera if you wish!
• We reserve the right to alter the contents of a driver experience (including locomotives / units) without prior warning.
• Please make sure you arrive 15 minutes prior to your experience commencing.
• Locomotives or units are all subject to availability, they are over 60yrs old and so from time to time suffer failures - we therefore reserve the right to alter the locomotive used on any driver experience be it steam or diesel.