First day behind the throttle?

I have a picture but I can't scan it. Anyway, I do remember the details well. It was August 1976 and the unit was Lehigh Valley U23B 509. Of course, by this date, both the 509 and I were in the service of Conrail. The Fireman took a few shots for me. Somebody usually carried a camera with them.

 

Bob

 

Rob, I like that photo.  Where was it taken -- Lubbock?

Yes, Tom

It was an amusement park, and popular gradeschool birthday venue named the Tiny Texan on the west side of Lubbock.  Photo was taken in mid 1960's.

While I've never done it yet this April I'm going to do the Hand on the Throtle program at Valley Railroad in Essex, CT. After training I get to spend an hour each in the cab of steam and diesel operating the locomotives. Can't wait. I'll post pictures and etc later in April.

(It was a present from my wife who has grown to share my love of all things trains.)

Scotie

No picture of your's truly at the controls but I've been lucky enough to have operated:

 

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad GP30 #502 (picture below of it's "twin" #501) in June 2012. 

 

 

Last summer I was given the unexpected and much appreciated chance to operate Toronto Transit Commission PCC trolley #4602

 

 

And of course, my old friends at the county park, #281 and #357 April - October from 2010 - 2013. 

quote:

 Somebody usually carried a camera with them.

 

Of course, that is now verboten. No electronic devices are to be on. 

 

You can thank the morons that didn't have enough sense to know to put their phones down and quit texting, etc. You can also thank the FRA for their knee-jerk over-reaction to it.

 

Because of the idiocy of a few, none of us (railroaders) can now take photos of our occupation or life being lived while we're living it.  So, there will be no "scrapbooks" of what Dad did for a living to hand down to our offspring/etc.

 

Sucks big time, but that's the way it is now.

 

Just for clarification, do the rules prevent you from taking a camera with you that could be used during your off time?

 L

Just a shot in the dark, but I believe the Fuji 35mm disposable cameras are still available. Would those get under the wire?

Call me old-fashioned, but we were at a wedding a few years back where there was one on every table.

 

 

What engine/railroad is that?

That's the park railroad at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.  The locomotives are 3-foot-gauge 4-4-0's, built by Crown Metal Products.  They're propane-fired, if I remember correctly.

Not the first time, but the only picture I have of me behind the throttle. (IRM: Frisco 1630)

 

 

Rusty

Rusty, I like your taste in caps...I wore one just like it for a time.

I had a few debuts, not necessarily behind a throttle...

1. My first, at the mere age of 11! Carhosting an Ohio Central excursion in Pittsburgh in 2002.

2. My professional debut in April 2011 when I was fresh from NS conductor training.

3. My latest: May 2013 while a rookie on the NKP 765 crew...