The recent thread on a steam locomotive simulator is interesting. But I wonder how many would actually use it, when they might be able to operate the real thing? There are a number of organizations that let you put your hand on a real throttle, on the seatbox of a genuine locomotive. We recently had two days of throttle time with NKP Berkshire #765 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Maybe we couldn't put all the "hazards" into the operation that a simulator would do, but one of the guest engineers was at the throttle when the 2-8-4 derailed! How's that for realism? Yes, we had to cancel some throttle time reservations, but this happened in steam days too when that Ten-Wheeler or Mike failed getting out of the yard. A simulator may someday be able to provide a fair facsimile of steam locomotive operation, and who knows, maybe that is ALL that we will eventually have. In the meantime, I am saving my pennies and nickels and dimes and one day may actually be able to operate a Berk, or an 0-4-0T.

Les

Don't forget the fireman and engineer schools at Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR, the Wolsztyn Experience and now, the WM Scenic RR. I've done the first two and they are each truly great!

-Jim Herron

Llangollen Railway in Wales offer an engineer program.
http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/page.php?id=14

Been there, done that! The folks at Llangollen have a great programme.

Wesley

I believe the simulator would just be an added attraction to a museum which guest could use for free or at a nominal price. It would be geared more towards the casual crowd, as opposed to the hardcore crowd willing to spend the money to run the real deal.

That being said, there is certainly room for both in the world.

Les, we have a program just for you at New Hope Valley RR - an 0-4-0 T and 4.5 miles of nice woods to run through. Come on down.

dave

Les, Not only that, but you'll meet up with some great people at New Hope Valley. The steam team there is first rate, true "Southern Gentlemen"

Well, maybe except for me, but the rest of the guys are very good. And, we can probably guarantee a decent beer and dinner afterwards.

dave

One of the big drawbacks of a simulator is that computers don't have "Smellavision". My first ride behind live steam that I remember was back in the 1940's: a former Venice [Calif.] Miniature Railway engine running in El Monte, about 18 miles east of downtown LA. That oily water vapor smell is an integral part of the steam experience, and in coal-burning country one has that bituminous aroma that I remember from SP cabooses in the 1960's.

Obviously a simulator isn't as good as the real thing, there's no debating that!

However, there are several things a simulator can do better than the real thing.

The first is the cost. Most "engineer by the hour" programs cost big bucks, several hundred per hour or more. Simulator time should be a bargain by comparision.

The second factor is the choice of equipment and location. Want to run the Daylight down the mainline at speed? That's not something you can buy in real life. But on a simulator it would be simple. Recreate the Coast Daylight, on the actual route? Should be easy enough. How about a Pennsy K4, or maybe double headed K4's, on the Broadway. Start with the famed NYC/PRR "race" near Chicago, and then once you've got the hang of it, try running up Horse Shoe Curve.

Speaking of NYC, how about a turn with a Streamlined Hudson? The one hidden in a barn in Indiana needs new tubes, and that one in the quarry has all kind of bearing issues, so barring building a live steam version, a simulator is probably the best bet.

Oh, and one more factor. Have an 8 year old boy who wants to "play trains"? I don't know the age limit for the engineer programs, and in any case, most young boys want to "go fast! Once again, a simulator is a great answer!

Actually they do. Here in town we have an aviation museum with a 4D theater. In addition to the film being projected in 3D, the seats move and smells are piped in from vents on the rear of the seats. During the 10 minute film that takes viewers through a WW2 bomb run you pick up scents such as smoke and one that can be best described as "oily gasoline engine".

So it is possible.

Cool, so we can pipe in things like coal smoke and valve oil!

I seem to recall there was a model railroad product that claimed it was going to recreate smells, but turned out to be some sort of investment scam or something. The funny thing is that he apparently had lots of people wanting to buy it.

Of course, to make the simulator realistic, we'll need a few more things. For example, put a heat lamp on one side, and industrial A/C unit on the other side, for simulating those winter runs. Here in the Pacific NW, you'll need to hook up a sprinkler system for the all too common "Partly cloudy and a 90% chance or rain" days.

I can see it now... "Hey mister, this thing is broken! All I can see is a grey screen with a bright white blob in the center!" "Yep, that's the foggy night run, you can't even see the rails under the pilot, only the headlight glare. Have a good trip!"

Real steam locomotives please.

a simulator is safer and is more ready for the mass crowd, but maybe it will etch in some experience to move up the ladder...to the real deal.
Having helped 765 restoration and pull its throttle I am satisfied, after 4 years cranking on restoration, hitting the throttle and brakes was practically a piece of cake. But being a model railroader, you do this .. ALL THE TIME, so it was very natural for me.