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Hands on the Throttle

June 14 - June 16

| $335

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sit in the engineer’s seat of one of the last operating steam locomotives in the Midwest! Participants will operate Pere Marquette 1225 following a safety briefing. No previous experience necessary! Our talented and understanding crew will walk you step-by-step through the procedures. Participants will never be without supervision, and operating speed of the locomotive will be slow.

 

Includes:

  • 1 hour Hands on the Throttle Experience
  • Honorary Engineer Certificate
  • Complimentary Hat
  • Be sure to opt in to our exclusive photo package! ($15)

Participants MUST: Be at least 18 years old, in good health, have a valid drivers license, be physically able/agile enough to operate a steam locomotive, and be able to climb up and down a vertical ladder with ease and without assistance.

Dress Code:

  • Feel free to dress the part!
  • Closed-toe shoes required. Steel toed boots preferred
  • Leather gloves required
  • Hearing and eye protection will be provided. If you wear corrective lenses, please be prepared to bring side shields or wear safety glasses over corrective lenses.

NO guests, cell phones, go-pros, or cameras are allowed in the cab.

Home study materials will be sent by email the week before your Hands on the Throttle experience.

The event will take place within the fences of Steam Railroading Institute and will not cross any roadways.

A general release signature is required at your start time. Our Hands on the Throttle program is only designed to give participants the experience of operating a steam locomotive. Hands on the Throttle does not, in any way, qualify or license participants for train operations or for unsupervised locomotive operation.

 

Details

Start:
June 14
End:
June 16
Cost:
$335

Disclaimer

Due to our rolling stock being in original historical condition, our fleet of passenger cars is not ADA accessible, and fall under exemption from ADA regulations (Sec. 12142, Sec. 12148). We sometimes have a limited number of seats available for passengers with limited mobility, but passengers will still need to climb several stair steps. Please contact us for more information before ordering tickets. Children 19 months of age and older are required to have a ticket. Infants 18 months or younger that can sit on a parent’s lap for the entire trip do not need to have a ticket. The Steam Railroading Institute reserves the right to change motive power or rolling stock at any time, including substituting diesel power for steam. Departure times are subject to delays due to freight traffic or mechanical issues. All firearms (Concealed or Open Carried) are prohibited on the property or on any locomotive, car, or equipment of the Steam Railroading Institute. Smoking on the train or in the SRI Welcome Center is also prohibited.

Waiver and Release of Liability

All patrons, invitees, guests and volunteers (“Patron”) entering onto any Steam Railroading Institute (“SRI”) property or equipment or participating in any SRI event (“SRI Activities”) is considered voluntary participation and may subject a Patron to the possibility of physical injury, loss of life and loss of or damage to a Patron’s property (collectively, “Risks”) and the Patron agrees to the following waiver of liability of any Risks or Claims at SRI Activities: See Details

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