GOSHEN, Va. — Ever since its 2015 restoration and return to service, “In Cab Experiences” have been part of the norm for Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611. Participants are given the chance to learn and either operate or fire on the J-class 4-8-4 under supervision by the engine crew.
The program — which has taken place during the locomotive’s previous visits to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C., and the Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks, Pa. – will now expand to Virginia’s Buckingham Branch Railroad. Tickets are now on sale for both the engineer and fireman seat experiences on Sept. 30.
As announced on the Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 Facebook and Instagram pages, the 30-minute sessions will operate out of Goshen where the locomotive is currently stationed. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license. Visit the FareHarbor website for more information and to purchase tickets — $850 for the Engineers’ Seat, and $375 for the Firemans’ Seat.
No. 611 is scheduled to operate weekend fall excursions as part of the Virginia Scenic Railway, a passenger excursion operator for the Buckingham Branch. The half-day Shenandoah Valley Limited will depart Goshen at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., each day on Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29, in addition to Nov. 3-5. Visit the Virginia Scenic Railway website for more information and tickets.
I agree with the above; in 2001, as a non-fulltime newsperson in Grand Island, NE, I got to ride in the cab of UP’s 3985 from Kearney to Grand Island, and I still have fond memories of that trip. It was before 9/11 of that year; not many people could get to do that now.
I managed to snag an “in cab experience” on the 611 between Detroit and Fort Wayne back in high school. On the trip back I ended up enjoying one of the Lazyboy’s in the tool car. The latter was more comfortable, but not quite as interesting as the former.
These formal in cab experiences are pricey, but they do offer an rare and memorable experience while supporting preservation of the loco at the same time.
These “experiences” are definitely not to be missed!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün