Ever wanted to operate a diesel locomotive? Our Throttle Time program lets you try your hand at being a locomotive engineer using a vintage diesel locomotive.

Our Throttle Time sessions are offered on the last weekend in April, the first weekend of November, and on most Saturdays between May and October. And now all winter long for 2020 - 2021!

For this hour long session, the Throttle Time participant will first spend 15 minutes observing and learning how to operate one of the Museum's diesel locomotives. The Throttle Time participant will then spend 45 minutes at the throttle of the locomotive on the Museum's main line, under the supervision of a Museum engineer. 

The locomotive used for the sessions will be one of:

• Canadian National FPA-4 #6789 built in 1959
• Illinois Central GP11 #8733 rebuilt in 1980 from a GP9 originally delivered in 1958
• Milwaukee Road NW-2 #1649 built in 1947
• Wabash F7 #1189 built in 1953
• Chicago and Illinois Midland RS-1325 #31, built in 1960. (New!)

Equipment used is always subject to change due to availability.

In order to participate in Throttle Time, you must be at least 18 years old, physically able to climb up to and enter the locomotive cab, and able to operate the locomotive controls.

Happy railroading!

For additional information, contact us at throttle.time@mrym.org.