I've done a few diesel driving experiences - at Mid Hants (DEMU), GWSR (DMU) and Llangollen (1 x DMU, 1 x Class 47), undoubtedly the best for me was Llangollen, as you get a whole line return trip as driver on your own on a 25 mile round trip on an interesting line with banks and tunnels, together with a trip round the sheds. Ok you don't get the free lunch, but you do get the guests able to ride on your train. You also get to drive on a "service" day, with your train pathed through normal passenger carrying services. I also felt that though the "instructors" on the MHR and GWSR were good, those on the Llangollen were much better giving me more freedom to drive the loco as I wished once they were satisfied I had a reasonable control of the loco, limiting the instructions to advice on the approach of banks, stations points, signals etc, allowing me to control the loco accordingly. It's also one of the cheaper experiences by some way - especially considering what you get. It's also not that far from the area you were looking at. (and no, I have no connection with the line)
