The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is pleased to announce a program of Diesel Locomotive Driving Experience Courses, which will run on various dates throughout 2005.

These courses are regarded as among the best of their type in the UK, and with a preserved line of some 9.5 miles, running through the Cotswolds between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse Stations, the railway expects booking to be brisk.

Utilising locomotives from the GWR's home based restored 'classic diesel heritage fleet', the locomotives (subject to unforeseen circumstances), will include Class 24 No. 24081, Class 37's No'd. 37215 & 37324, and Class 47 No. 47105. The courses cost £210 per day and will include supervised driving through the 693 yard Greet Tunnel, which is an experience in itself. Furthermore, the railway tries to make these courses as realistic as possible, so the locomotive will be hauling 5 or 6 coaches or a 1960's style freight train. Which of these will depend on the number of preferences expressed on the booking forms. These, plus further details, including our free family ticket offer, can be obtained by sending an e-mail to the Course Coordinator, Grahame Orlebar, at diesel.driving (at  gwsr.com) or by writing to him c/o The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, The Railway Station, Toddington, Glos GL54 5DT.

Bearing in mind most locomotive hauled services have been removed from the main line, these courses not only provide ideal opportunities to relive the recent past at 'The Friendly Line in the Cotswolds', but also to experience a day as a member of the footplate crew, hauling a real train.