Hi all . New to forum, so im jumping in with both feet. So here goes ,last year i had the thrill of a lifetime and was able to ride in the cab of cpr 2816,for 30 mile ride and what a ride. So the ? i have is there any club or organzeation that offers cab rides or willing to let me help on steam loco. i am a heavy duty mechanic by trade and hold a steam ticket . I would like to volleter my time to do that kind of work . any response will be appreceated[:)] sorry for the spelling mistakes
Is this an old boys club surly there must be someone out there that knows of somthing . i just want to help. Thanks for now[8)]
Hi 60 case,
It might be that You are in Sask, Canada, not that that is a bad thing just the vast majority of the forum members are from the states, and may not know much about Canadian Steam opportunities ( I know that I don’t[swg]) So it is likely a matter of not knowing, rather than being unwilling to help.
You don’t say how far you are willing to travel, ALL the Steam excursion operations that I know of are always looking for volunteers, skilled or not. Research what Steam operators there might be within the travel radius you are comfortable with and give them a call. If You are offering a skilled service, it is very likely that they would let you have some cab rides, possibly even a little throttle time.
Although it is not cheap, there are places like the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, NV and the Sumpter Valley Railway in Sumpter, OR that offer Steam rental programs, where you are shown how to operate a Steam Locomotive, and then are supervised running it on their trackage. I ran the Nevada Northern’s #40 4-6-0 last July, and on the 25th of this month I am going to the Sumpter Valley Ry, Hoping to run their Heisler, but being a wood-burner, and it being so late in the fire season, I may end up running their #19 2-8-2, which is oil fired. So I will have to schedule the other locomotive which ever one I don’t run for next year, earlier in the season.
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad has I believe a 2-8-2T Steam Locomotive that they offer cab rides in for a reasonable fee, but they are in Yacolt, WA and again, I don’t know how far you want to travel, and none of these are close to where you live. These are the operations that I am familiar with.
Good Luck in finding some thing that you can volunteer with, I am sure that you will find it a very rewarding experience,
Thanks for your comments doug.
Travel is not a problem surfed the webb on the weekend and did some research.Contacted a few in Minn, and Nevada, Maryland, as well.Thanks again ,great site
Were you aware of the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions at Stettler AB.? They operate CN 6060 and that group ususally needs skilled volunteers. I don’t know how to contact the group directly, but if you look at www.absteamtrain.com they can put you in contact with the group based in Calgary that looks after that locomotive.
AgentKid
There are several rail museums/tourist operations who “sell” cab rides. Check web pages and listings for which ones and when offred. In the East, I believe the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley in Milford, NY is one, and in the west there are several in Ca and NEV. n But as far as regular railroading, no. Not allowed. Insurance, safety of rider, distraction of crew, etc. No.
actually your wrong. i had gotten to do a cab ride with the Wisconsin and Southern last year and all that i needed was a safety waiver that says that the railroad is not liable for anything that happens to you.
it was really fun to bad it was the coldest day of the year.
just check with your local shortline or regional but dont try a class 1 they think that it is a waste of time!!! they dont want to be bothered with that stuff.
But i also did it for a school project but even then…
Truth is that most roads do not allow anyone in the cab of a locomotive beside the authorized train crew and supervisors. There have been some “nice” engineers, etc., in the past, but for the most part railroads have come down hard on enforcing the rule. Permission may be granted for special purposes and more likely among smaller roads. Larger roads and commuter roads are very strict and usually allow no one anymore. Safety waivers are no longer issued or allowed on some roads. Your age, it being a school related project, the smaller road, all worked in your favor. Overall, it is very difficult to request to get filled in the 21st Century. In fact, many engineers today don’t like fans in the cab, either.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN, USA offers cab rides in their #610 steam locomotive.
As for helping, their are many places, but in most, the volunteers have to start on less exciting jobs and earn their way into the cab, usually with considerable training. Firing a steam locomotive is a very serious and somewhat complicated job!
I loved the ride in 610! Was a great time and I would love to go down again,but this time I would love to run her. If your willing to travel they are willing to have you trust me.I go up and run one in Freeport Illinois and I might go to Union one of these days.
Getting a cab ride on a class one is easy! Just apply and get a job 
But working does take the fun out of it.