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Hey everyone!I heard somewhere that the AMTRAK crew will give a tour of the train engine.... :As many times as Ive ridden AMTRAK I have never heard of this.My daughter (8) and I are going on a train trp in 2 weeks ( EB, and CS) and I know she would LOVE a tour of the engine.Anyone ever heard of this before?
posted
Mr. Norman is correct. In these day of heightened security, etc. a visit to the cab of a locomotive has gone the way of a cockpit visit on an airplane. Your best bet is to watch for "Railroad Days" or something similar near you when the cab may be open for inspection.
One of my most amazing travel experiences was being asked to visit the cockpit of a brand-new QANTAS 747-400 during its flight from Sydney to Perth to be christened as "The City of Perth". When my companion, an airline employee, asked about a cockpit visit he was told "Off course, Mate. This isn't bloody America!" The Steward later came back to get first him, then me, for a long (20 minutes each) visit. The Captain, Captain Massey-Green, had just flown this aircraft non-stop from London to Sydney, at that time a record flight. This was all pre 9/11, of course.
Best,
Frank in sunny but soon to be rainy SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I did get a tour of the kitchen once when someone at our table asked. And the conductor may let your daughter try on his hat.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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One time my son and I were riding BART from San Francisco to Concord. We were in the front car and my son had his nose pressed up against the door to the operator's compartment. After we left Oakland, the operator invited my son to sit in the compartment. My son sat in the operator's chair and announced the stations. When we got to Concord--the last stop at that time--he let my son blow the horn.
Ask!
-------------------- Kiernan Posts: 155 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Apr 2005
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It never hurts to try... If you stand kind of near the locomotives, and spot the crew, (and smile!), you might have a chance... I've done it quite a few times!
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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The closest I got in recent years was at El Paso, where the crew let me poke my camera inside the door but nothing more. Seeing as the floor of the cab is somewhat high compared to ground level, the few shots that did come out were from the floor upwards and weren't any good!
As Kiernan says, it doesn't hurt to ask - but ask the engineers at a service stop, not the conductor nor car attendant. (The same goes for planes - ask the flight crew once you're at the gate and disembarking, not the attendants, nor in flight).
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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In one of my earlier days of amtrak travel, i asked our car attendant what the transition sleeper was, he then proceeded to take me into the transition sleeper where i was able to look into the baggage car as well as going into the employee lounge and eating donuts with him and some other crew members. His name was Larry on the Capitol Limited, I believe i saw him on my last trip. He's a nice guy.
Jon Parker
Posts: 143 | From: Richmond, VA | Registered: Jun 2004
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Jon, how nice to see praise of Larry Picard/ he is our favorite car attendant. We have traveled with him for years. He alsways remembers our needs (no wakeup call, extra water,make up the lower berth only etc.) He also is very knowledgeable about the history of the various areas and if time allows will get on the PA and fill everyone in. I know which car is "his" and always make reservations for tht car.He treats everyone as though they were his special friend. I have informed customer relations about him. It is so easy to complain so I always try to find someone on each trip to praise.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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While not the computerized consoles of the last 15 years, operating Diesel locomotives are available in museum fleets throughout the Nation.
Additionally, static Diesels abound as well.
Google on "railroad museums" to get many. Google on "rent a locomotive" and many sites that allow folks to take their hand at the throttle pop up.
Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by gr8_northern_grndaughter: I was thinking it was too good to be true!Oh well!
However.....a number of tourist railroad operations around the country do sell cab rides! I've partaken at the Kentucky Railway Museum, the North Carolina Transportation History Museum, and the Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad in Colorado. At the Royal Gorge every railfan can 'live the dream' and take a turn blowing the whistle.
Oh yes........then there is the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nv where a railfan can live the ultimate dream.....rent the locomotive and be your own engineer......under the watchful eyes of a real engineer of course!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I was riding Train 3 home a few years ago (post-9/11, if anyone cares), and decided to take some photos of the units at a service stop. I was there for just a short time when the engine crew called me up into the lead P42. They let me take photos and ask them questions for about 15 minutes. At one point, they jokingly asked if I wanted to pilot the train, so they could go back to the coaches and get some rest. On another occasion two years ago, I taxied with the crew from a hotel, and the engineer, now a friend of mine, let me do the same thing. At a stop a few hours later, the conductor got a call on the radio for me to meet the engineer on the platform, and he handed me a track warrant with a bunch of info on the back about a career on the railroad, who to call, and where to go. It was great!
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Just be careful how specific you are with your praises. Some of these things are undoubtably rules violations. No need for any of these rational and nice people to be on the receiving end of the the old saying, "No good deed goes unpunished."
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Right, I eliminated the name of the station before I posted just for that reason! Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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