Locomotive
Cab Ride
on a
Working Freight Train
|
on a Working Freight Train |
CAB RIDES
cancelled with the demise of the TSWR
The fine print
Reserve your place in the Toppenish, Simcoe & Western Railroad locomotive cab. See what the view is like from “up-front” with the engineer. This unique experience allows you to observe the operation of a diesel-electric locomotive on a working freight train. Rides will be scheduled when our manager, John E. Hood, is the engineer. He has over 20 years experience in the seat and is willing to answer -- or try to answer -- any and all questions you have about railroading.
TSWR operates between our junction with BNSF near Toppenish and the end of our line approximately 20 miles west at White Swan. A full freight run travels approximately fifty miles when we have to both pick up and deliver at the interchange. On any given day, some parts of the run may not be required. There is no guarantee what portion of the line you will experience or what distance you will travel. In the first ten months of 2003 approximately half of the runs have been the full fifty miles. Most of the rest were forty miles.
Freight operations occur Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. There is only one freight train each day. The length of the trip is dictated by the work that must be done and can vary from one hour to ten hours with the average being four to five. There is no way to know how long you’ll be on the train when your reservation is made. Your payment entitles you to one trip regardless of its length.
A train will not operate if there is no freight to move. If the train is cancelled on the day of your trip you will be allowed to re-schedule for a different date or receive a full refund. If the train is cancelled, every effort will be made to contact you in advance, but this will not always be possible. Neither TSWR nor YVR&SMA is responsible for any expense you incur getting here or staying here if the train does not run. In the first ten months of 2003, there have been only four days when the freight train didn’t operate.
Only one rider per day is allowed on the train. Under ***no circumstances*** will you be allowed to exit the cab during freight operations. Photographs may be taken from inside. If you have a companion, that person may follow the train in a vehicle, and may photograph from the outside, but must not trespass on any private or railroad property for any reason. You will ***NOT*** be allowed to change riders at any point during the freight run. There is a toilet in the locomotive for your convenience.
Riders must be at least 16 years old. You will be sent a liability release that you must sign and return with your payment. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the release. You must agree to abide by all safety and operating rules of the railroad. You must agree to obey all instructions of the engineer in charge. You must wear long pants, shirt, and closed toe sturdy shoes or boots. You must be physically capable of climbing on and off the locomotive without assistance.
The Toppenish Simcoe & Western locomotive is a 1750hp EMD GP9 manufactured in 1957 for the Northern Pacific Railway. There is no air-conditioning in the cab. In the summer it can get very hot. If you’re not prepared to handle the heat, don’t reserve a summertime trip.
Reservations must be made two weeks in advance. Twenty-four hours cancellation notice is required to receive a refund.
Bring your own sack lunch.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS:
All Cab rides cancelled!!!