I was a locomotive engineer for 15 years, everyone thinks operating a train is so easy because you dont steer, but there is so much more to it than that, just operating one locomotive like you did seemed complicated, try handling 100+ cars with 10,000+ tons behind you at 50mph and still stopping and starting up hills and down hills. I appreciate the shoutout to all us railroaders, its nice to be appreciated sometimes
Now add into that the fact that sometimes that 10,000 tons of freight can include industrial chemicals or even millions of gallons of crude oil from America's pump fields. No room for an error. You guys have probably one of the trickiest jobs out there, honestly.
Yeah! I would love to go into that field, even if it doesn’t roll in the money, because I’ve been fascinated in trains forever. Would love to learn from a professional just to operate these steel giants!
As a railroad worker for the past 11 years I wanted to thank you for the subtle shoutout in your video. Running trains is as easy as driving a car anymore, but you brought back that awesome feeling of throwing the reverser forward for the first time. As always I always love watching you and Suzanne’s videos! Keep up the awesome content!
I second this thought. I work for a short line railroad in Sunray Texas as a composite locomotive mechanic. Operating these machines in close quarters and in conditions that require pinpoint control makes us exceptional engineers. Not intending to brag. When you know what makes it tick it is easier. One of the greatest pucker factors for me was bringing a locomotive in over an open inspection pit for the first time. There’s just something not right about bringing something that big in over a hole in the track. Greetings from the high plains of Texas.
This looks like something any interested Railfan would like to experience. As he noted it takes some skill to learn how to operate it smoothly and in control. It would even be harder with a longer train since you have to also control the cars you are pulling. Add in curves and hills and then you better know what you are doing. There is no way this is as easy as driving a car, even a manual transition one.
@@ryandavis7593 I can relate. I used to bring subway cars into the carhouse from the yard. There's no third rail inside the building so you have to come in with some momentum and brake just right to spot it over the jacks in the floor. Otherwise you'll get stuck somewhere. Spotting was basically placing the leading wheels to line up perfectly with a yellow strip with only 2 inches of allowable error. It was super satisfying to get a perfect spot the first try, but it took a lot of practice. Learning that skill helped me greatly when I went on the mainline making station stops.
With Suzanne’s engineering background, it would be great if she led videos focussing on the engineering you guys encounter like airports, this and all aspects. It would be good to hear that from an engineer’s view
@@Cal90208 I would hope so. The guy saying she should be leading the video that happens to feature an old diesel locomotive, just because she’s an engineer, but may be a software or biomedical engineer makes absolutely no sense. If she’s not an aviation engineer then the original comment is just weird.
One of my greatest adventures as a kid. My uncle was a dispatcher for the New Jersey Central Railroad. In 1967 when I was 12 he arranged a cab ride for me. It started in western NJ near the Pennsylvania border. We had 4 F7 units in an A,B,B,A configuration followed by 106 C&O open hopper’s full of coal. In a desolate section of track the engineer let me take the controls. It certainly would not happen today. I must say though that is the most power I have held in my hands to this day.
I was able to do this with my family several years ago at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA. So much fun! You really appreciate the skill involved in running one of these - All the levers you must constantly be on - and those engineers did it for hours sometime going 100 mph back in the 1950’s and 60’s.
I can’t believe after all of your travels, hikes, adventures, etc. you’ve never showcased this on your channel, with it so close to your location (Forgive me if you have). This is amazing, thank you Jeb as always!
That museum is amazing. Also amazing is that 5 chime horn on the FP7. About 501, the purple E3 from Atlantic Coast Line, it used to run very fast between Richmond and Jacksonville; 90/100 Mph, with the Champion and Florida Special trains
There is a reason why the normal progression in train professionals is from conductor to engineer. The conductor need to know their sh*t. The engineer needs to know where that sh*t came from.
Back in the day, conductor and engineer were two separate promotion paths - engine service and train service. Engine service was, fireman to engineer, learning to run a steam engine. Maxed out at engineer, no chance of promotion beyond maybe a road foreman of engineers. Train service was, brakeman to flagman to conductor to possible further promotion, working on the ground and in the caboose, learning how to do the ground work and the paperwork. Exactly what you describe, but two different paths for the two ends of the train. Sorry if I sound like a know-it-all, but I really enjoy this stuff.
As someone who has done a similar experience in the uk, I can relate to how “fast” this slow speed experience can be. It must be an awesome feeling to be at the controls of a beautiful and powerful machine such as this. I will be on lookout for these types of opportunities here thanks to you.
My grandfather rode as a conductor between Spencer and Monroe Virginia. As a child we visited the museum and I got to meet some of the volunteers who worked with my grandfather on that route. They let me ride in the cab, told stories and made memories that have lasted 25 years. Glad you got to experience it!
Very cool to be able to operate the F-unit, I just filmed a 1948 F3a unit at the Alberta Railway museum in Canada as they did some switching in the yard. Walking through the engine room to the cab I was amazed how much space was in the cab. Truly an experience I won’t forget.
I remember going to the Southern California Railway museum in Perris valley CA, and i was able to operate SP 3001 it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life!
Thank you so much for sharing one of our (I’m a Thomasville neighbor) NC’s gems to the world. Also not only is it enjoyed by adults the kids have loads of fun too!!! Another GREAT video Jeb!!!
I got goose bumps after watching this video. The closest I ever got to driving a locomotive was standing in the doorway of an Amtrak EMD locomotive on National Train Day at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia several years ago.
That looks like an amazing experience. Fun fact: the Southern Railway was one of the 4 railways that did not initially join Amtrak in 1971, instead opting to continue to offer its own passenger services, most notably the Southern Crescent and the Asheville Special. 6133 was regular motive power for the Asheville special until Southern ended that service in '75 or '76. The Southern Crescent lived on until 1978-79 before it was finally handed over to Amtrak.
Out of all the times I’ve been to the museum, I still haven’t done this yet. Since my son and I love the F and E units, this would be a dream come true!!!!!
North Carolina Transportation Museum: Hey Jeb. Do you wanna come drive a real train? Jeb: ( trying to remain cool) Yeah I guess I could try find some time to come do that......... Jeb: ( 2 weeks later having pulled the horn cord) BEST DAY OF MY LIFE, EVER! Suzzanne: Well our wedding was a pretty amazing day. Jeb: Umm, yeah, great day. I love you. But also BEST DAY EVERRRRRRRRRR!!!
If the Norfolk and Western No. 611 ever makes it back down to Spencer for another stay at the museum, it’s definitely worth checking out. There’s just something about being behind the throttle of a living, breathing steam locomotive that just blows the diesel experience out of the water.
Fun fact: as mentioned by Jeb, the turntable at the Spencer roundhouse has a length of 100 feet. The N&W class J 611 has a wheelbase of 98.5 feet. Spotting the 611 on the turntable is a very precise maneuver
My Dad is currently working as a architect for the North Carolina Transportation Museum, it's a really great place with lots of interesting history to unpack. Me and my family have all learned so much about the history of the site and buildings that they're hoping to renovate in the near future. There are so many interesting and fun facts I wish I could share, but that would bog down this already lengthy comment. Overall it's an amazing place that I'd recommend to anyone if you're in or around the area.
I just wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed this video of the NC Transportation Museum and Site. I live about 15 minutes from it in Salisbury and have been there many times. I even gave my husband for his Birthday several years ago the “At the Throttle” experience driving a steam train there. It was so exciting for both of us! Thank you for showing everyone our wonderful state of NC through your travels. It makes me so proud to be from here. I also appreciate all your world wide travel videos with you and Suzanne. I certainly will not be able to go to all those destinations but I can experience them vicariously through you two. We are going to Italy this summer with family and we are very excited about it. Keep on traveling.
I drive the steam locomotive at my local amusement park and love it so much! She was built in 1970 and was completely rebuilt this past off season. In 12 short hours I will be back behind the controls for the park’s opening day for the year!
Jeb, Thank you for your videos. I especially enjoyed this one, as I once rode in the engine cab of an identical unit, Southern Railway #6137, between Greensboro and High Point,NC in 1975. I got to pull the chord, with that same type of chime horn, as the 6137 roared through Jamestown,NC at 70 mph! I'm still thrilled by that memory today. This was an awesome video - Thanks again! - Verne Brummel, Madison,WI
I’ve been there a few times. I saw the 611 in action and got to ride in a caboose behind it. One time they put the N&W 611 on the turntable. It’s wheelbase was 99’6” and took precision to fit it on!
Great video. That Atlantic Coast Line locomotive is a beauty. I live in NC, and visited the museum when my daughter was about 12. A lot of fun. And you looked like a kid in a candy store!
I ask them ALL the time if they will have any operational Steam there soon and they always say if they will just sign up for the newsletter on their website and it would be there. I was told sometimes personal owners will bring their engines there for service sometimes too. They are going to get so sick of me asking them so many things!
I have to admit this video was better than I expected. I do get a lot of enthusiast who start going spastic when discussing this subject. As a locomotive composite locomotive mechanic I often just shake my head and move on. This video was well made and curbed any potential misinformation sticking only to the facts. Thank you. Greetings from the high plains of Texas.
My first trip to the US (I’m Australian), I got to operate an incredibly rare locomotive at the Southern California Rail Museum in Perris CA. Lots of fun. Scorching hot day though. A few dehydrating ales in Riverside CA that night.
I was very lucky to be able to ride the 3801 steam locomotive on the 'Long Lunch' train out of Sydney when I travelled there to watch my wife compete as a member of the United States Equestrian Team in the 2000 Sydney Games. I hope you appreciate the wonderful trains you have in Australia and I am glad you enjoyed your experience in California.
My Grandpa drove the locomotive at the Museum of Transportation in St Louis for many years. Seeing this video brought back so many memories of being a kid
Now you can come try out for the job opening here in Albuquerque and run over Raton Pass and the tables will be turned (you can see me in your Southwest Chief video BTW)
Very cool the engine being operated looks like the one that was used by the B and O railroad, here in Ohio we have an operating roundhouse it's part of the age of steam
Rolling stock: Piedmont and northern boxcab 63 Atlantic coast line and seaboard coast line e3 501 Southern railway fp7,ft,and e8 6133,960604,and 6900 Southern railway and norfolk southern gp30 2601 Buck steam station 25 ton Norfolk southern,precision national,and peabody coal as-416 1616 Norfolk and western gp9 620 A us navy 65 ton Us army and beadort and morhead h-12-44 1860 Southern railway and city of clemmons 2-8-0 542 Atlantic coast line 4-6-0 1031 Seaboard air line 2-10-0 544 Carolina power and light 0-4-0 3 Duke power 0-4-0 111 And us army 0-6-0 5007
I rode behind 6133 in 1975 in Asheville, NC on the Asheville Special to Old Fort. Frank Clodfetler was our friend and the engineer. We were visiting my Aunt and Uncle in Asheville. 😢
I realize I'm getting to this extremely late, but Jeb, you've gotta get in contact with Hyce at the Colorado Railroad Museum, so you two can collaborate. Also, come and visit the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, California sometime.
Jeb, man, I waiting THIS long for a clip and all I got was 8min ?! C’mon brotha... Good on you, I’m happy you had fun but I expect more from the Jeb setter to tide me over till the next upload !
This is AWESOME! What kid in all of us doesn't want to drive a train and blow that horn?!? Next up, we want to see you behind the yoke of a 737-900. In flight!
Thanks Jeb for all your great vlogs. I love train travel as you do. Most of it back and forth from NY Penn Station to Hudson NY on annual trips to the town of Catskill NY. My favorite was 23 years ago on the Shangalolo Express. 16 days from Johnannesburg SOuth Africa to Cape Town. They still run luxury tours through Africa. Keep up the super trips. Doug
Great place to visit! Plus for me it’s the place of our local star, N&W 611’s rehabilitation. Also, it used to be for horn toots (at least where I’m from) 1-Stop, 2-Go, 3-Back Up. But as I said “where I’m from”.
It is a fantastic and enjoyable adventure to operate a 70 yr. old locomotive. If you are out west in Northern California around Lake Tahoe just a short drive to Quincy, is the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. You can operate one or more of 8 operational locomotives from the late 40's to early 60's. Growing up in the WP family I first learn at the age of 9 while sitting on the engineers lap. And later as part of a job, a SW1500 all day for several months shuttling car for a copper smelter during labor troubles. I wish you well in your travels and enjoy as many things as you come across.
Like the Comments below, takes time to master the craft, incidentally we are still using those GM era Locomotives here Down Under in Mainline Freight and Passenger work glad you enjoyed your first taste of motive power and thank-you enjoyable video...regards Doc from Down Under..
Hello Jeb. Do you plan on doing behind the scenes videos of train stations? Such as Philadelphia 30th Street station, Chicago Union Station, New York City Pennsylvania station, etc.
You know, ever since I was a kid, I've always dreamed of driving a train. Of course, I'm into hot air balloons now, but after watching your video, I think the North Carolina Transportation Museum can help make my boyhood dream come true!
You need to check out the Northern Nevada Railway in Ely, NV. You can drive both diesel and steam locomotives. There’s also a museum and, if you’re lucky, you’ll meet DJ, the shop cat.
I've been a locomotive engineer for BNSF out of Los Angeles for 10 years, running the Cajon Pass daily, and I still think it would be fun to check out this museum and run an old F type.
I’m surprised it’s that rare in the US, Driver Experience (sometimes called Footplate Experience) is a pretty common offering for the UKs heritage railways
I've always been fascinated by trains. When I was a young cop in the 80s I once asked a KCS conductor if I could ride his freight to the next stop some 50 miles away. He said I'd have to fill out paperwork a mile high beforehand, and even then the brass would probably not approve it.
5:48 Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe NS was introduced as a holding company in 1982 but the road names were still Southern and N&W until 1990
Congrats for that, I mean look at your face, for a moment you were the happiest man in the world lol, well I can't blame you :D . I hope someday to go to USA to those kind of museums.
I live right down the road from this awesome museum, and had no idea you were right in Greensboro. A friend and myself took our little ones on the Amtrak over to Greensboro and walked to the Children's Museum last week. Fun trip and man I haven't been on a proper train ride since I was like 6 years old and it was a blast. Got me just obsessed and learning everything I can. Glad you got to see that place and sit in the drivers seat! Sadly doesn't look like they are offering it this year but hoping maybe next year. Signed up my daughter and I as members so we go there and hangout and walk around a few times a week lol. Nice video, thanks!
I am Australian, and I am lucky enough to say that I get to drive trains for a living. Driving a modern suburban train is not as hard as some may think. Sure, there are many skills you need to master, but most of them are learned skills. You just need to put in the time and effort. What you do need to know is that operating the train controls and systems is only half the job. The rest is building up your track knowledge, which involves learning where all the signals are located because trains take time to stop. If you only start braking when you sight the signal at stop (red), it may be too late. You will have a SPAD (running a red signal), and that is not a good thing. Track knowledge is what keeps a train safe. Overall, once you learn everything you need to know, it is surprisingly easy to drive a modern suburban train. You just need to remember that this job can go from being very easy to a nightmare within seconds. I have PTSD from this job, but it is still a great job if you are lucky enough to get it.
