EVERY boy’s dream can be realised on a Dorset railway this spring.

The young at heart are being offered the chance to drive a train at two events coming up at the Swanage Railway.

The preserved line’s Diesel Gala from May 11 to 13 will feature a diesel locomotive that appeared in a James Bond film.

People will have the chance to drive this engine as well as another diesel which is visiting Swanage a few days later.

Ten ex-British Rail diesel locomotives will be put through their paces at the Diesel Gala which coincides with the Dorset Beer Festival at Harman’s Cross.

One of the visitors is a Class 20 diesel-electric No D8188 which can be driven by members of the public over a mile of unused track from Norden towards Furzebrook for £20 a time.

The D8188 was disguised to look like a Soviet train for the 1995 James Bond film Goldeneye starring Pierce Brosnan. In the film it collides with a tank driven by Bond.

Other diesel locomotives at the gala include Class 50, 50026 ‘Indomitable’, Class 42 Warship No D821 ‘Greyhound’ and the Class 55 Deltic No 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’. The Deltic will stay at Swanage for the following week when it will be available to drive on Monday, May 14 and Tuesday 15.

The experience of driving the Deltic on a 12-mile trip from Swanage to Norden costs £325 and includes a return trip in the comfort of a carriage.

Participants will receive a certificate, take a behind-the-scenes look at the Swanage signal box and be given a year’s membership of the Swanage Railway Trust.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: “We’re delighted to offer this unique opportunity to drive a powerful and iconic diesel locomotive through the beautiful Purbeck countryside – thanks to the help of the Deltic Preservation Society, owners of Royal Highland Fusilier.

“When you sit in the cab of the Deltic, you can feel the power of the locomotive and it’s like sitting in the cockpit of a classic jet aircraft.”

The Deltics were the height of technology when introduced by British Railways in 1961 to haul mainline trains on the East Coast Main Line between London and Edinburgh.

For more details call 01929 425800 or visit swanagerailway.co.uk