Sign on as a Nevada Northern Railway engineer for your own trip "Up the hill"
through Robinson Canyon, up toward the old Ruth Mining District. You (and a
friend, if you like) will climb on board and experience what railroading was like
in the last century - at the throttle of one of the original Nevada Northern
STEAM locomotives. Diesel experiences
are also available. Click here for details.
What to Expect
Begin your engineer experience by studying the safety training materials that our
regular and volunteer crews learn from (download
here). There will be a test on the
basics, but we are there to help you all the way through. It is then time
to head down to the century-old Enginehouse and help prepare your
locomotive for the day.
Climb into the cab, and learn how to operate the iron horse.
Your mentor
engineer will show you the ropes as we move the locomotive out of the engine house,
through the yard, and onto the
original NNRY mainline.
It's then your turn! Climb up into
the engineer's seat and receive personal instructions from your mentor engineer on controlling the throttle and brake.
Once the basics are under your belt, the moment comes for you
to sound the whistle, have your hand on the throttle, and head
up the mainline
toward the mines. You will be going through
two tunnels and climb over 2.5% grades. Up toward the end of the line there is a wye. We
will turn the locomotive they head back down to Ely, gaining hands-on experience
with controlling a locomotive on a mountain grade. This is real standard-gauge
main-line mountain
railroading on America's best-preserved railroad. You are at the throttle.
You are the engineer. You are running a steam locomotive.
Options
There are several options available. You can take control of one of the vintage steam locomotives, or one of the
vintage diesel locomotives, or operate both.
Most people come and take the locomotive out without a train attached. It is an easier way to start, and requires less training. Taking the locomotive out with a complete train adds the additional skill of controlling a train on our mountain grades. You may find that it is easier to get the train up a grade than to bring it safely back down. Early in your trip you will begin to appreciate the genius of the Westinghouse Air Brake system,
its complexities and limitations for mountain grades - especially on steam
locomotives since they do not have dynamic brakes. You will
also learn the "technical" term for using up all of your braking capacity by
applying and releasing your train brakes too often coming down the mountain
grade.
So what are you waiting for? You can have a hands-on experience with railroading in the last century. Make your appointment with history.
Use the calendar below to pick your date, or call and book your locomotive rental or train rental today at 1-866-40STEAM (1-866-407-8326).
You can operate a steam engine! You can drive a steam locomotive!
P.S. What would be a greater holiday, birthday, or special gift than being at
the throttle of one of our engines for a real engineer experience?
You can buy an "open ticket" as a gift and select the exact date later.
NOTE: Participants must be able to climb up to the cab unassisted. Due to the harsh environment in locomotive cabs,
no medical devices or assistance, such as oxygen, is possible. Requires
sturdy closed-toed shoes, gloves, a long sleeve shirt and pants, all made from
all-natural material (cotton, wool, leather - no synthetics, vinyl, or rubber). You must
be over 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to operate
the locomotive. One rider, 12 years or older, may ride along in the cab at no additional cost.
(standing room only for rider).
Engine availability is subject to a variety of both controlled
and uncontrolled circumstances. Both steam locomotives are over a century old
and even the "new" diesels are a half-century old. It is very rare, but possible,
that circumstances may require delays, substitutions, or rescheduling.
Prices and Discounts
Prices below are for the Engineer Experience. That can be one person, or two people sharing the experience.
These prices represent our best estimate for the long-term
sustainability of the locomotives, right-of-way, and maintenance facilities.
We are an independent non-profit foundation that relies on your continued patronage to
sustain the programs here.
A portion of the program cost may be tax deductible. Hover over the
prices below to determine the amount that you can speak to your tax advisor
about. We will provide a receipt when you purchase an event.
Members receive discounts. Memberships start at only $30. No other discounts apply to this experience.
Be the Engineer Options
Member
Non-Member
Diesel Locomotive Only - mainline 14 mile round trip
$595
$700
Steam Locomotive Only - mainline 14 mile round trip
We made the trip to Ely from central Texas specifically to visit the museum. The visit was worth every penny and then some. If scheduling allowed, would have stayed longer to explore and even do one of the passenger trips. I was amazed by the hands-on access visitors have to everything in the yards and buildings. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I got a kick out of the contrasts here... for instance, the railyard was dynamic and filled with activity and sounds. Then you walk up the stairs in ... Read More
We made the trip to Ely from central Texas specifically to visit the museum. The visit was worth every penny and then some. If scheduling allowed, would have stayed longer to explore and even do one of the passenger trips.I was amazed by the hands-on access visitors have to everything in the yards and buildings. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I got a kick out of the contrasts here... for instance, the railyard was dynamic and filled with activity and sounds. Then you walk up the stairs in the depot to find offices and ephemera that are frozen in time. One room is in the exact state it was left in when commercial railroad operations ceased thirty years ago. Museums spend years trying to recreate what their buildings looked like, but here there is no guessing or artful recreations by a curator. What Is Was!Driving the Baldwin 4-6-0 locomotive #40 cannot be easily described. All personnel were splendid and this railroad is already calling me back. Thanks!
I just completed my steam engineer experience last Saturday afternoon on engine #40. I can't say enough on how I enjoyed it. Dave, Mike , Eric and Lennox were all great. What a fantastic place you have there. Thanks so much for making the experience available.
This was a wonderful birthday present from my family. I had a great time. The crew was super friendly and helpful. These trips also keep NNRY funded and operating. Go for it!
Be The Engineer Steam (#40) was given to me as a Retirement gift from my family. This was one of the best experience's of my life and something that I will never forget!! My wife was able to ride along in the cab and I know she had a lot of fun also. I had a fantastic crew with Engineer David and Fireman Mike. Everyone at Nevada Northern Railway were Great! Had a great conversation with Mark and J. Joan Bassett. Would love to go back and drive Steam Engine #93 and the diesel. Will visit Ely and ... Read More
Be The Engineer Steam (#40) was given to me as a Retirement gift from my family. This was one of the best experience's of my life and something that I will never forget!! My wife was able to ride along in the cab and I know she had a lot of fun also. I had a fantastic crew with Engineer David and Fireman Mike. Everyone at Nevada Northern Railway were Great! Had a great conversation with Mark and J. Joan Bassett. Would love to go back and drive Steam Engine #93 and the diesel. Will visit Ely and NNRY often!
Admin:
Dennis, it was great to have you and your wife visit. We are so glad that you enjoyed the experience!
Be The Engineer Steam (#40) was given to me as a Retirement gift from my family. This was one of the best experience's of my life and something that I will never forget!! My wife was able to ride along in the cab and I know she had a lot of fun also. I had a fantastic crew with Engineer David and Fireman Mike. Everyone at Nevada Northern Railway were Great! Had a great conversation with Mark and J. Joan Bassett. Would love to go back and drive Steam Engine #93 and the diesel. Will visit Ely and ... Read More
Be The Engineer Steam (#40) was given to me as a Retirement gift from my family. This was one of the best experience's of my life and something that I will never forget!! My wife was able to ride along in the cab and I know she had a lot of fun also. I had a fantastic crew with Engineer David and Fireman Mike. Everyone at Nevada Northern Railway were Great! Had a great conversation with Mark and J. Joan Bassett. Would love to go back and drive Steam Engine #93 and the diesel. Will visit Ely and NNRY often!
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reviews about us
Comments from those who have done this (29)
I had a great time. The crew was super friendly and helpful.
These trips also keep NNRY funded and operating. Go for it!
If you have been here and done this, then please add your Review or Comment below: