Cab Ride

[Anonymous]

I am going out to Crawford Hill in Nebraska this fall, and I am wondering how I should go about getting a cab ride, either up the hill on the head-end power, or on one of the helper sets. Can anyone out there help me?

[Anonymous]

Hello,
What I suggest is to ask permission by writing a letter to the Manager of the Powder River Division who is located in Denver.3700 Globeville Rd.State why you want to ride in the cab.Make it a very good reason or I'm afraid you'll get turned down.Safety,liability reasons.Also against the rules for operating personal to allow anybody in or on the equipment.

[BRAKIE]

I think your best bet for a cab ride would be on a local short line,by signing releases I have rode many short lines and in one case got to run the old SW7(about a mile) they was using that day.
Even as a ex brakeman I still love riding engines.You see,the thrill of riding a cab never really leaves you even though you get use to it when you work on the railroad.It has been almost 20 years since I last worked on the railroad,I still miss the work....

GOOD LUCK!

[dknelson]

I have had the good fortune of cab rides in steam, heavy duty electric, and diesel. The first two were at railroad museums but the diesel was in full revenue service on a Class 1. The engineer had noticed my friend and I chasing the train for photos at various crossings and when he had local work at a small town he invited us into the cab while he and the conductor did their work. Very very interesting -- the intertia forces you can feel while switching a train of loaded cars, and getting on and off a moving locomotive is something I won't soon forget either. The guy had a million stories. he offered to take us up the line but warned he would probably be going "dead" and could not promise that the relief crew wouldn't kick us off, so we bailed after 45 minutes. He was breaking the rules, as were we, but it was a great experience. So your best bet might be either a short line or class 1 where you are far far removed from the prying eyes of management.

[Anonymous]

very true,on the NS that is out of the queston.i can also tell you, that you are not even allowed in the cab of an engine for a quick look.

as far as riding trains goes,as an engineer i do it everyday and sometimes i get sick of it.there are times i would rather stay at home and work on my models than go run a real one. my career almost ruined the hobby for me.i am just now starting to get back into modeling again after 7 years

[eolafan]

I recently was in a major Texas city near their Amtrak station watching train movement when I came upon a U.P. freight sitting at a crossing waiting to be permitted into the local yard. It had a couple of the newer "flag" sided units and I was watching them intently...the engineer and conductor were in the cab of the lead unit and called down to me and invited me into the cab for a look-see. Wow, was I excited and knowing they were breaking the formal rules, I stayed only as long as I thought they were comfortable, expressed my appreciation and left (very happy for the experience). The moral of this story is that "real railroaders" are generally a great bunch of people if we railfans are courteous and don't get in the way of their doing their daily jobs. Oh, by the way, the cab of the newer GE unit was extrememly roomy and very, very quiet! Thanks to the annonymous U.P. crew, you know who you are guys! Eolafan

[wabash1]

as a engineer on the ns i have let some people on the engine look around exsplain things to them and then they departed. i had a father and son come up on the engine and his eyes were wide with amazment and his 6 year old son was excited to... i dont mind breaking the rules from time to time for the right reasons.

[Anonymous]

Good for you. A little positive PR is good for the railroad. I know that if I ever get a chance to ride a headend power unit, I will forever be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Be carefull and do it as often as you think it's all right.
I got a chance one day in Oct. '99 in Portland, OR, when I was on the way from Seattle to San F. in the Coast Starlight. I took some pictures from the leading new Amtrak engine (GE 42?), while they changed the cabin crew. The new engenieer saw me, and I think without a long time thinking he invited me for a short visit in the cabin. It was one of the biggest moments in that vacations.
In a special reason it was very interesting, because a year before a friend of me invited me on a saturday afternoon 4-hours-round-trip on german railroad freight train. He said: On saturday is less traffic and therefor less coleagues. And the few we met when changing the train for way back, he anounced me as an union man, who want to look for some special working conditions in the cabin.
Because I saw working in a german engine cabin, I could understand a little from working in an Amtrak, as far as I could as an intrested layman.
I like people breaking the rules for the right reasons. I hope you'll do it when we meet one day.

[Anonymous]

Why would you ask-Do you think an engineer/conductor is going to risk his career for some goofball that wants to take a ride.Like the almighty says "just do it"..@ night of course.Sit on the left side so you can observe the conductor.When he does his inspection,head for the head.If you are discovered, he'll ask you to vacate.When that happens,walk the train and find a nice grain hopper for the balance of the trip.The bottom line:while in the cab, don't touch anything-just sit and take it all in.