Pacer Driving Experience
Schedule
Sat Oct 11 2025 at 11:00 am to 05:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Rushden Station, Station Approach,, NN10 OAW Rushden, United Kingdom | Rushden, EN
Come and drive our class 142 pacer (142084) for approximately one mile.Book your slot for £15 (plus booking fee).
FAQs
How long is the line and how long will I spend driving?
We have half a mile of track from ‘platform 2’ of our station in central Rushden, terminating at Prospect Avenue. The experience will take you on one return trip to the end of the line and back to the station at Rushden, and will take around 7-10 minutes.
Platform 2 is the open air platform with level access adjacent to the foot crossing by the station building.
What restrictions are there on taking part?
In order to participate in this experience, you will need to be aged 18 or over, fit to drive, and not attend under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You will be asked to sign a form on arrival confirming that you are eligible to participate.
Unfortunately, given the design of the rolling stock, we are not able to offer this experience for wheelchair users, unless they are able to walk unaided onto the train from the platform (up a step) and into the driver's cab.
If I pay for more than one slot, can I drive more than once?
We regret that each participant may only have one trip per weekend, given the interest expressed in the event.
If, however, you do wish to have more time and experience driving, then please consider:
- attending a future 'Pacer Driving Experience' ;
or
- volunteering with us and being trained as train crew to operate the railway at our numerous events!
Will I be able to have anybody in the cab/on the train with me during the experience?
For safety reasons, nobody else will be permitted in the driver's cab with you whilst the train is moving, other than our experienced driver. No more than two other adults and three children under sixteen may sit in the passenger saloon whilst you're driving. Please consider making a donation to us for accompanying passengers.
In addition, your accompanying passengers must remain seated whilst the train is in motion, but will be permitted to take photographs with you in the driving cab when the train is stationary.
What happens on the day?
Please arrive around 10 minutes before your scheduled trip time and make yourself known to railway staff, who will be identifiable by their uniform. They will confirm your name, and ask you to sign a form to say that you are fit to undertake the experience.
Please note that we reserve the right to terminate the experience at any time (including before it commences) if our staff believe that it would be unsafe to continue.
What happens if I am late on the day?
We will do our best to fit you in, depending on levels of bookings but this cannot be guaranteed. Please aim to arrive in plenty of time and note that our car parking facilities are around a 5 minute walk from the platform - do bear this in mind when you are selecting your time.
