The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, is hosting a special event where mothers, grandmothers and female guardians (the experience is open to all ticketed adults) can learn to drive a multi-ton heritage diesel locomotive on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This one-day activity gives local families and rail fans the chance to get behind the controls of a historic engine as an alternative to traditional Mothering Sunday gifts.
The “Mum Gets to Drive a Diesel” experience takes place the day before Mothering Sunday and includes a safety briefing and one-on-one instruction from a qualified NVR driver. Participants will take charge of a multi-ton heritage diesel locomotive for a supervised, hands-on session on the tracks.
Sessions will start at Wansford Station (the railway’s headquarters) and travel through the Nene Park area, including Ferry Meadows, running along the NVR line towards Peterborough Nene Valley. According to Nene Valley Railway Ltd, the event is marketed as a premium gift experience that helps raise money for the ongoing maintenance and conservation of the heritage line and its collection of trains.
Nene Valley Railway Ltd is a registered charity (Charity No. 263617) and is run largely by volunteers who maintain the track, rolling stock and station facilities. Because driving experiences are popular and have limited slots, organisers encourage people to book early.
Families who do not want to take part in the driving session can still join the visit: standard passenger services are expected to run alongside the driving experiences, allowing others to ride the train through the countryside while participants are in the cab.
