Train Lovers!!!! I've got a question for you....?

Question

Does anyone know of anywhere I can get a train cab ride?

My dad is a train fanatic. His life long dream is to do just that.

I know this practice of allowing non employees of train companies ride in a cab is diminishing and/or against the rules. Please help. My dad just wants to ride in a train cab and blow the horn. We live in san antonio, texas but are willing to travel for this opportunity.

Answer 1

i would write to amtrack and conrail with this request  i am shure they would let you spend a day in the yard on a switching engine. http://www.prairie-works.com/transcontin... also on rfd tv there are many shows showing all types of steam locos  try them also ok.

Answer 2

you take a Canadian train. then make Friends with the guy working in the lounge car. make sure you tip him well. and ask if can get a ride in the cab for awhile.

       a Friend of mine did this once it's a true story but when he did this it was 1974 and when it was under Canadian Pacific Railway owner ship (the passenger train) the train was the "Canadian" on the old route.

Answer 3

Skidderback,   thanks!     That sounds sooo neat to do.

Answer 4

Your dad will realize his dream in Ely, Nevada.  There is to be found the Nevada Northern Railway.  Currently operating two restored vintage steamers.  Around $650 will get you a half day running a Baldwin consolidation on the main line or a ten wheeler around the yard for about $200 less. (Only one or two per run.  If splitting the run, you only run half way.  You're allowed a videographer or other ride-along.)  Be prepared to spend a couple of hours in the class-room.  This isn't a ride along.  You run the train.  Not just an engine, you run a real train; power, air brakes, the whole enchalada...

There are restored diesel electric locomotives there as well that rent for a whole lot less.  Monies made from this rent an engine program goes into further restoration projects.

This is a revenue railroad, not just an historical society.

www.nevadanorthernrailway.net  (The consolidation's picture is on the home page.  I love the flying air pumps on the front of the smoke box. Your dad can be at the throttle!)

I have been fortunate (I call it blessed) to serve on steam as a fireman pilot, when the UP Northern 8444 (844 renumbered at that time because there was already an 844 on the power roster) and the UP Challenger 3985, when these engines came west from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Sacramento, California, for the opening of the California State Railroad Museum in 1981.

I piloted the 3985 from Sparks, Nevada, over the Donner Pass route westward to the top of the hill at Norden.  The run was recorded.  The Challenger was misbehaving with a cylinder c**k stuck open, but it added some drama to the recording.  A man named Dave Raines was the fireman pilot on the 8444 to Norden, when we switched places for the descent into Roseville.

I was an engineer pilot for the SP's 4449 Daylight between Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Dunsmuir, California, during its Olympic ventures in 1984.  (Doyle don't say much).

The same year I got to run the McCloud River Rail Road's # 25, a vintage prairie.  This was the engine on the railroad used for the Rob Reiner film "Stand By Me."  It's where I live.

First time I was a kid with my dad runnin' a shay at the Roaring Camp and Big Trees logging railroad in Felton, California.

There is nothing in the world like it.  Do what you must, but if you love him, Dad's gotta go !  It is his heart's true desire.  Unless you can sit in a Top Fuel Dragster or take a ride on the Space Shuttle, this is the only other multiple E ticket ride.  And it is much more survivable.

Good luck and have fun !

Answer 5

same as what the first person said

Answer 6

Michelle-

I can assit with that.

My train club Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol California can arrange that.  Contact information is at:

www.ncry.org

Also in our area is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad in Felton, CA.  They have the "Engineer For A Day Program", where he can actually run the Lima Shay, "Dixieana" or the Hiesler.  Both of these are Steam Locomotives.  

He is going to need to be prepared to "Get Dirty", because part of the fun is getting up at 04:30 to get the locomotive lubricated, fueled, watered and fired fir his day behind the throttle.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

There are a number of railroad museums that offer cab rides and engineer instruction, both in diesel and in steam.

Contact Kalmbach Publishing at http://www.kalmbach.com.  They publish a directory of all the railroad museums and tourist railroads.  That contains information about train rides, cab rides, engineer programs, and much more.

Have fun!

Answer 8

well u can try at bangalore city station in india i think they will let u try

Answer 9

http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/

Answer 10

Our Run-A-Locomotive program allows you to rent a vintage diesel locomotive and operate it on the museum grounds, under the close supervision of your own private instructor. Income from locomotive rentals helps fund the restoration of our historic equipment.

Details and Rules:

Please allow at least 24 hours to schedule a rental. We have to ensure that an instructor is available.

Summer months are the busiest rental times, we highly recommend making reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Up to six people can share a session, but there is a maximum of 4 in the cab at a given time, there is an age restriction of 5 years old.

Specific locomotive requests will be accommodated when possible, substitutions may be necessary.

Rentals are from mid-April through mid-November (weather permitting) by appointment.

A certificate suitable for framing is awarded after every rental.

For Further Rental Information and Appointments...

                            call 530.832.4532 - Run-A-Locomotive Rental Information

NEW! Now you can pre-pay for your RAL by selecting the appropriate Paypal button below. Remember that once paid for via Paypal, you will receive your RAL certificate. You still must call the Museum at the number above to schedule your operation time.

Answer 11

Steamtown in Scranton, PA offers locomotive cab rides.  

http://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/lo...

Answer 12

since 9/11 itll be really really hard to do.  the only thing i got to say is if you have a working railroad park near you go there and see if you can do it there.  i know they might do a special event.

Answer 13

Try this:

http://www.trainweb.com

Answer 14

I sometimes let people ride with me if I'm just doing some yard switching. But I live and work in northern Minnesota.