If you’ve got a train enthusiast on your Christmas list, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity available for him or her. They are taking reservations now for their 2017 guest engineer program.
All participants must be at least 18, have a valid driver’s license and be physically able to climb into the engine cab.
They will have a chance to don a blue and white striped hat, toot the horn, sound the bel and operate a diesel engine up and down the tracks.
Half-hour and hour-long programs are offered. The 30 minute program is in the HVRM yard in North Judson. It’s about a mile long with side tracks. The guest engineer is in the engineer’s seat the full time, under the supervision of a qualified engineer.
During the hour-long program, the guest engineer also gets to couple up to several cars and pull them around the area for the last 30 minutes. This usually involves some switching.
During both programs, one person is usually allowed to ride in the cab with the guest engineer. However he or she is not allowed to pull cars with passengers on them. HVRM officials say regularly scheduled train excursions are available for the guest engineer, family and friends later in the day. Programs are scheduled on Saturdays from May through October. The half-hour program costs $100, and the hour-long is $240.
Reservations are filling up for the 2017 season, with payment due at the time of scheduling. Email marketing@hoosiervalley.org or call 574-896-3950 to make reservations. Additional information can be found online a www.hoosiervalley.org.
