Locomotive Cab Rides

[Anonymous]

I have had one experience in the cab:
My Dad and I, about 6 years ago, were watching trains roll through the NS yard here in Decatur. We were not that close to the tracks, but some guy came out and told us to be careful around the tracks. We told him that we were big railfans, and that we would not get in the way. As he started to leave, he rolled down his window and told us to meet him at the Garfield Underpass. My dad and I rushed over to the underpass, and as we arrived, a NS SD-18, I think, came rolling around the tracks. The guy we had talked to was waiting on the front of the locomotive. He told us to get on and we did. As we were getting in the cab, he told us that we were going to drop off some cars at the former IC yard, now CN. They let me sit in the engineer's seat and I got to blow the horn and pretty much do everything that an engineer would do. We arrived in the yard, and sat for a while. While waiting, the crew got out and went to buy soda's and candy bars. They came back, we switched a few cars here and there, and then we slowly rolled back to where we were parked. All together, we spent about 2 1/2 hours with them. To answer your question, we were just in the right place at the right time with the right people. The guy that let us do it was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I learned so much from that experience and am hoping to maybe do it again...but I am not counting on it!
UPRR-MDC

[Anonymous]

This won't count as dramatic, but it still was memorable.

I live waaay up north in Green Bay, WI.... former home of the "ALL ALCO" Green Bay and Western. I used to make a point of heading down to the roundhouse on Sunday mornings. The road power from the inbound (#2) train from Saturnday night would be parked by the sand tower / fuel rack. It was right near a cul de sac and the light was usually just right in the morning. The morning roundhouse crew would feed and water these girls and get power set up for the outbound Sunday evening train (#1). Since no managers were on duty at 8 AM Sunday morning, on a few occaisions the round house crewman would wave me over and let me ride with him around the yard and then across the turntable and into the roundhouse to tie down the power. We'd run 2 or 3 units into the barn. I have some nice photos of the shops from in the cab. About that same time, C&NW sold their Green Bay to Milwaukee line to Itel Rail (owner of GB&W). The shop crew at North Green Bay was occaisionally similarly friendly. I got a bit of a ride on ex C&NW GP-30 #820, around the yard. Finally, a few years ago, for Father's day, we signed my Father up to run a steamer at the Illinois Ry Museum (Union, ILL.) While he ran their Frisco decapod, I rode the fireman's seat with video camera in hand. All three were pretty cool.

[Anonymous]

This won't count as dramatic, but it still was memorable.

I live waaay up north in Green Bay, WI.... former home of the "ALL ALCO" Green Bay and Western. I used to make a point of heading down to the roundhouse on Sunday mornings. The road power from the inbound (#2) train from Saturnday night would be parked by the sand tower / fuel rack. It was right near a cul de sac and the light was usually just right in the morning. The morning roundhouse crew would feed and water these girls and get power set up for the outbound Sunday evening train (#1). Since no managers were on duty at 8 AM Sunday morning, on a few occaisions the round house crewman would wave me over and let me ride with him around the yard and then across the turntable and into the roundhouse to tie down the power. We'd run 2 or 3 units into the barn. I have some nice photos of the shops from in the cab. About that same time, C&NW sold their Green Bay to Milwaukee line to Itel Rail (owner of GB&W). The shop crew at North Green Bay was occaisionally similarly friendly. I got a bit of a ride on ex C&NW GP-30 #820, around the yard. Finally, a few years ago, for Father's day, we signed my Father up to run a steamer at the Illinois Ry Museum (Union, ILL.) While he ran their Frisco decapod, I rode the fireman's seat with video camera in hand. All three were pretty cool.

[Anonymous]

Who, of you railfans out there has had an opportunity to ride in a locomotive cab? By what means did you manage to do so?

Those of you who have jobs with the RRs don't count, unless it was before you worked for the RR.

I have done so, but had to become a member of a RR museum to do it.

Rich Witt

[Anonymous]

Who, of you railfans out there has had an opportunity to ride in a locomotive cab? By what means did you manage to do so?

Those of you who have jobs with the RRs don't count, unless it was before you worked for the RR.

I have done so, but had to become a member of a RR museum to do it.

Rich Witt