RUN A LOCOMOTIVE

[No.4SCOOP]

Run a huge 120-ton diesel locomotive on the July 4th holiday at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Living-History & Train-Operation Center, Campo (San Diego County), Calif. 

Join the hundreds of other lucky fans who have participated in this fascinating activity we call "Engineer-For-An-Hour". Do what only licensed engineers are normally permitted to do. The locomotive that you will operate is a 1,750 h.p. 1959 EMD high-nose GP-9 from our heritage collection (ex-Cotton Belt 3873) painted and lettered in Southern Pacific "Black Widow" livery. The fully-restored locomotive is equipped with 26L braking as well as dynamic braking, and original functioning Mars lights.

Four one-hour time slots are available -- first-come, first-served -- beginning at 12:30 p.m. each day, Saturday, July 5th & Sunday, July 6th. Time slots can be shared by others. This opportunity will repeat on July 26 - 27 and August 30 - 31. Must be at least 16. Rates: museum members, $150/hour; non-members, $175/hour. Visit our website -- psrm.org -- for membership, reservations and other information.

PSRMA's Campo venue is located on the line of the common-carrier San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway, a bi-national shortline running between San Diego and Plaster City, 50 miles east of downtown San Diego. The historic line is a true mountain railroad with ruling grades of 1.4 and 2.2%, and includes the unbelievably-rugged Carriso Gorge section. In addition to a 40-acre museum site and the restored 1917 Campo railway station, the museum has rights to operate its vintage weekend passenger trains over 14 scenic miles of the line between the International border with Mexico at MP 59.9 and Miller Creek.

Opportunities are also available to become a licensed locomotive engineer at the museum. A comprehensive training program is available to all interested members. 

During the museum's "Summer Hours", ending Aug. 31st, its popular Golden State weekend excursion train will operate Saturdays-only at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations are not required.