> I believe that the Golden Gate Railway
> Museum offered a similar attraction at one
> time. I don't know if the program still
> exists or not.
Last time I checked GGRM's website, they did offer diesel training. The real prize was a military FM switcher in SP tiger stripes, San Francisco being the FM capital for SP.

> I have been doing a tad bit of research on
> this and find the following organizations
> offering this service: Portola, Valley RR,
> RR Museum of New England, Henry Ford, Steam
> Railroading Institute, Fort Wayne RR
> Historical Society.

> I couldn't find any data about it at TVRM's
> web site.. Mark, Stevve, y'all still
> offering or not?

> Looks like the average fare for an hour or
> so at the controls is about $264 with a lot
> of variety in the amount of instruction time
> given.

> Anybody else offering it and at what rate?
> Jim
For traction fans, Seashore has had motorman training for around $50. I've operated a Philadelphia Suburban and a Chicago Surface Lines car on various visits. If you're going to the British Isles, the Manx Electric used to offer motorman lessons on their main line (weekdays only as I recall, and watch out for stray sheep). Some trolley museums make informal arrangements for juicefans who already operate at their "home" museum. (K-controllers are K-controllers anywhere in the world)

Greg,

The Sumpter Valley Railroad has an "Engineer for a Day" program with the option of either a light engine move or a seven car freight train over the entire line. For both options the guest learns basic train handling and hostling techniques on Mikado number 19, as well as familiarizing themselves with safety protocols and signals. With a certified engineer assisting, the guest can either take the locomotive to Sumpter with the basic, or learn switching and train handling by picking up the freight train, complete with caboose, and running the full ten and a half mile round trip. After the program is complete, the participant is also issued a SVRR membership. The entire program allows for four hours of hands on experience, including up to two hours of actual locomotive operation. Price for the light engine is $450.00 and $600.00 for the freight train.

We are taking reservations for October.

You can contact us via the website, or through our passenger station at 541-894-2268, just leave a message and we will contact you about scheduling.

Thanks,

Taylor Rush
SVRR Head Depot Agent


Sumpter Valley Railroad
lmcx@eoni.com

From the Roaring Camp website:

Engineer For A Day

The perfect gift anytime for your favorite railroad buff. Make him or her an Engineer For A Day! He or she simply shows up at the engine house at about 9:00 a.m. and checks in with the Supervisor-on-Duty for the official engineer cap and bandana, polishes brass to a fare-the-well, assists in oiling the engine, receives a verbal briefing on the internal workings of a steam locomotive, rides in the cab for the day's scheduled trips and boasts thereafter, to all envious friends and relatives. Must be over 18 years of age. $125.00. Call (831) 335-4484 to order.

Roaring Camp General Store
71446975@quixnet.net

> I believe that the Golden Gate Railway
> Museum offered a similar attraction at one
> time. I don't know if the program still
> exists or not.

Yes, we do, indeed, have a "Rent A Locomotive" program. The engine we are currently using is the 1487, our 1953 Fairbanks Morse H12-44 diesel switch engine. I think we charge $150 an hour. Call 415-822-8728 and leave a message, if you are interested.

We had a very happy group of people today who rented the engine for a birthday present for one man.

The 2472 will again be available for rental once we get our "Form 4".

Stay tuned for further developments.

Margaret (SP fan)

> And what would you call these "other
> engineer types"?

> According to the FRA, other regulating
> agencies, and insurance companies, they are
> passengers.
Whats the difference in doing this, versus a photo charter then for insurance purposes. Having riders on a photo charter, or riders on an engineer for an hour program is still riders.

My point was since they were "learners" that they shouldn't be allowed to pull a "Regular" passenger train with tourists.

Of course all this could be made mute, by simply pulling a freight train, or empty passenger cars. Then a bus or auto could follow along and swap out engineers periodically. I was mearly suggesting that the engineers that would swap out could be on the train. Try swapping out riders at Toltec Siding or Needleton tank on the narrow gauge, by driving them in....Impossible. I don't see where these guys riding the train is a big deal compared to other forms of passenger trains as far as insurance would be concerned. Just my opinion.
Greg Scholl


Videos
sales@gregschollvideo.com

Taylor,
That sounds great....just what I would like to do if I were to try one of these things. You guys keep tempting me with your cool stuff out there and I might just show up someday. Just wish you weren't 2000 miles away! Two nice engines, nice scenery, and laying new track, and new depot...you guys are special!!!! All volunteer (for the most part I think) too, which is pretty amazing.
Cheers,
Greg Scholl

Videos
sales@gregschollvideo.com

Here's the link to the engine rental program at the Nevada Northern Railway in East Ely, Nevada.

Cheers,
Keith Albrandt

Nevada Northern Railway Engine Rental Program
kalbran1@san.rr.com

> Whats the difference in doing this, versus a
> photo charter then for insurance purposes.

It doesn't matter what you call the people riding on the train; tourists, engineer types, fans or photographers. In the eyes of the insurance company, they are passengers.

No matter who is on the train, the sponsoring group (railroad) uses FRA certified (qualified) engineers.



gerald_altizer@atlanticbb.net

The Heber Valley Railroad offers "Hand on the Throttle", wherein up to 4 participants crew a 4- or 5-car freight train on the railroad's main line, between Decker's Bay and Deer Creek siding (along the shoreline of Deer Creek Reservoir). There are no grade crossings or public access points, and the train operates back and forth over approximately five miles of undulating profile (necessitating air-brake operation). Each event usually begins at 9:00 a.m., with briefing and instruction, lunch is provided (along with a hat, photo and certificate), and the duration is approximately 6 hours. Events are scheduled on a reservation basis, and the cost (for diesel operation) is $300.00.

clacey@hebervalleyrr.org

Okay, so whats the problem.

My point in all this is that I simply would rather run an engine that was pulling a train of some sort versus a light engine. Having people on the train or not is a secondary issue.

Greg

Videos
sales@gregschollvideo.com

> Anybody else offering it and at what rate?
> Jim

I participated in the program at Llangollen Railway in Wales (see link). I had a great run with a 2-10-0 and a string of empty coaches over a scenic line through the hills of Wales in the U.K., including a short tunnel! The Llangollen is mindful of Strasburg in many ways in terms of setting, length of the ride, and general atmosphere with neat tidy buildings, run-around at each end, etc. Of course you have to travel to Wales.

Wesley


Llangollen Railway

> I have been doing a tad bit of research on
> this and find the following organizations
> offering this service: Portola, Valley RR,
> RR Museum of New England, Henry Ford, Steam
> Railroading Institute, Fort Wayne RR
> Historical Society.

> I couldn't find any data about it at TVRM's
> web site.. Mark, Stevve, y'all still
> offering or not?

> Looks like the average fare for an hour or
> so at the controls is about $264 with a lot
> of variety in the amount of instruction time
> given.

> Anybody else offering it and at what rate?
> Jim

Jim:

Our museum has a Guest Engineer Program (GEP) which consists of 30 minutes of supervised diesel locomotive operating experience. We have specific times set aside before and after our regular operating season (May through September) but also can accomodate people between some of our regular Saturday runs if reservations are made beforehand. Locomotives used are our regular diesels; Whitcomb 44 ton center cab # 27 or Alco S-1 Erie # 310 or General Electric 95ton end cab # 11. Cost is $50.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

midlandblb@cs.com

> I have been doing a tad bit of research on
> this and find the following organizations
> offering this service: Portola, Valley RR,
> RR Museum of New England, Henry Ford, Steam
> Railroading Institute, Fort Wayne RR
> Historical Society.

> I couldn't find any data about it at TVRM's
> web site.. Mark, Stevve, y'all still
> offering or not?

> Looks like the average fare for an hour or
> so at the controls is about $264 with a lot
> of variety in the amount of instruction time
> given.

> Anybody else offering it and at what rate?
> Jim

Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA is in the planning stages of offering a Rent-A Locomotive program. It should be up and running by October 2004. The rates are not firm yet but information will be posted on the Museum's wide set in a few weeks. It will be by reservation only and will be during the week on non-regular operating days. We will be starting out by offering either an Alco S-4 or an Alco RSD-1. We hope to expand the prgram to include our ATSF FP45 #98, SP3100 U25B and an E8 UP #942 sometime next year. No Steam is planned at present.

We also have recently started to offer locomotive cabrides for a extra fee.

If anyone has any question please e-mail me at huettgeo@earthlink.net.

George Huett
Vice President Operations

Orange Empire Railway Museum
huettgeo@earthlink.net

In March of this year I was Engineer for 20 minutes on the Fillmore and Western (0-4-0-T) 1891 Porter wood burner. Cost was $50.00. In twenty miles you run down a few miles and back, whistling for grade crossings, etc.
In the cab with me was the regular fireman and engineer plus my wife. A great experience!