Very, very nice, Howard.

check out this story on rent a locomotive at Naugatuck RR:
http://www2.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/ ... 1uootu.asp

Can you give us an idea whether this is a good way to raise some additional cash and any pointers to others reading the board who might be considering the same?

jim

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com

I have never been involved in such a program, but I believe it can be one of the best ways for museums to raise money, in all seasons. The desire a locomotive engineer is the underlying reason we take all those photos, write those books and build all those models. Museums that cannot offer excursions might still offer engineer training programs on short stretches of track on their grounds. For steam locomotives, it is much easier on the machinery than attempting day-long, death-march excursions on railroad lines that really don't want you on the property, yet it still allows the magnificent machine to hiss and snort as it should. Combine a hostling experience with an authentically restored roundhouse, and you'd have a winner, with enthusiasts and the general public alike. Incidentally, this writer passed up "real" engineer training about six months ago, preferring a regular conductor's job to spending the rest of his working life on the engineer's extra board. At least I did get to hostle and get paid for it for 20 years...



ryarger1@nycap.rr.com

Incidentally, this writer
> passed up "real" engineer training
> about six months ago, preferring a regular
> conductor's job to spending the rest of his
> working life on the engineer's extra board.
> At least I did get to hostle and get paid
> for it for 20 years...

Gee, I wish I was lucky enough to be able to pass up engineer training. I will probably be rushed through the CSXT Dumbed Down Course on Throttle Jerking sometime this year, and then its to the engineer's extra board for me! Of course I have spent my career on the conductors board, and I really enjoy life on the left hand side. However on those really cold days and we are switching I wish I was up in that cab nice and cozy instead of out in the wind and snow.

Engineer for an hour is nice, but nothing compared to handling 130 cars at 50 mph with your head end going down hill, your middle going up hill and the tail end ramming you in rear! Then blow for the crossing, turn offthe bell, reset the alerter, call the signal, look out for that speed restriction, watch your speed etc.

rickrailrd@aol.com

The article was quite a surprise to us-- I didn't know that one of my students would be a journalist!

This is a program I have wanted to do for years, ever since I read about those "footplate experiences" in English rail preservation mags 15 years ago. It is the best "interactive" exhibit I can think of to show what it's like to run an engine-- no "simulator" or video screen here!

RMNE's railroad subsidiary Naugatuck Railroad is a common carrier and our engineers are covered under Part 240 licensing rules. After we started operations in 1996, we developed a program that would operate over 4.5 miles of the railroad: a section without grade crossings, switches, etc. We met with the FRA people, explained the program, and were granted permission to operate the EFH program. No cars are handled, just the locomotive. No one but the instructing engineer and the student engineer are permitted in the cab while moving. The section of railroad is isolated from the rest of the NAUG by a derail and by Form D operating rules.

Let's face it-- 25 mph on a light engine is nothing like a 150-car coal train, or 3 E-8s on the "Lake Cites" at 70 mph. But you should see the smiles on the faces as they get down off the engine!!! I seem to recall a certain curator from Scranton displaying one of those smiles, and mentioning that this was the first time at the throttle!!

Most of the participants are not the hard-core railfans-- those types are too busy taking photos of the latest wide-nose stack train power. Our patrons are people who may have a mild interest in trains, or someone who was given a gift certificate for a birthday or Father's Day, or simply someone thinking it is a "neat" thing to do, and having the bucks to do it.

I think this program is a great educational tool, a good revenue source, and a good way to expose historic railroading to a wider audience (and an older and perhaps wealthier demographic than Thomas attracts!).

Each EFH situation is different-- Portola, Owosso, Essex and others all have successful programs, and I am sure a museum that wants to develop an EFH program will be glad they did.



hpincus@mindspring.com

Greetings,

The EFH program is included in my draft redevelopment plan for the Nebraska City roundhouse. Though a timetable has not been set for implementation--we first need to worry about the roundhouse itself--I definitely welcome this discussion would be be interested in hearing more. Particularly the do's and don'ts.

Thanks,
Gerald Kopiasz, President
Heartland Railroad Historical Society


Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

> --I definitely welcome this discussion would be
> be interested in hearing more. Particularly
> the do's and don'ts.

Great idea! Along with some do's and don'ts could some of those associated with EFH programs post or provide for obtaining a copy of the Agreement/Release that the "engineer" signs (knowing that it must be reviewed for conformance to local/state law).
Also, I am wondering if any of your liability carriers have any qualms about such programs?

Heber Valley Railroad
utweyesguy@aol.com

Excellent idea! You've got the perfect facility complete with roundhouse and turntable. As far as I know it would be the only such program on the east coast.

Jim, you can sign me up for the Friday after Thanksgiving.

kevingillespie@usa.net

Our EFH brochure carries the release form; contact me and I will send you one. It is also in the EFH section of our web site (www.rmne.org) as a printable PDF file.

When the details of our program were explained to the insurance and regulatory people, they realized that a participant simply can't get into any real trouble. Remember, we are not turning someone loose with a loaded passenger train and telling them to bring it back in an hour. In our case, using the isolated section of the railroad, without grade crossings, switches, yard and station areas, raised the "comfort level" for the FRA. Another group may not have the same ability to isolate EFH that we have. Valley RR runs their program when the regular train is not operating. Project 1225 has used a one mile section of their local railroad, between two grade crossings. Try to anticipate just what concerns the regulators would have, and address them before you seek approval for your EFH program.

hpincus@mindspring.com