Strasburg 611 Cab Ride Detail questions

Just a suggestion; you might want to contact the Strasburg Rail Road directly, and ask THEM your questions. Those would be the folks in the know as how they will be conducting such events THIS YEAR.

Some folks here did the engineer thing last time the 611 was in Strasburg.  Perhaps they'll chime in and give you their experience and how it was conducted.  That being said things could have changed and it would be wise to take @Hot Water 's advice and also reach out to the Strasburg folks too.

@VADarthDad posted:

Answers based on my trip in 2019

Could someone who is doing the cab ride/engineer/fireman trip be so kind to post some details of how it works, logistics, etc. after your time in the cab? Sorry in advance for all the dumb questions.  It looks like engineer times are every 30 minutes, with a 45 minute excursion.

I'm scheduled later in the summer.  I've convinced my wife to come along and take pictures from the ground, if possible, as the sign-up indicates no photos/cameras/etc. allowed inside the cab.  Lots of questions.

I'm supposed to go to Leaman Place Junction - I assume if she parks the car there - can she take pictures from the ground?

Leaman place is the end of the line.  There is a small parking lot you have to show your ticket to park in.  This is where you board the engine and is a good place for your wife to take pictures.

Is there a spot along the route that is recommended that she can drive ahead and take some pictures or even a video?

There were a number of people who walked up the line a couple hundred yards to take pictures.  I think this is probably the best option.  I think most of the trip goes through private property.

Is the route from Strasburg to Leaman going forward and you go in reverse from Leaman to Strasburg?

You go forward a couple of miles and then back up to Leaman.  The train does not go to the Strasberg station.

Is it luck-of-the-draw if you are on the push or pull segment in the engineer seat?

You do both

I assume you take the trip back to Leaman and get back to your car there?

Yes, The trip starts and ends at Leaman

Thanks.

Always a good idea to call the railroad. Still haven't gotten my stuff in order. I only was able to do the whistle blow and parlor car trip along with shop tour. Everything else was already sold out last time.

I operated the N&W 475 in October 2019, Both 475 and 611 went toward Strasburg. Got to 2nd road crossing and then reverse back to Leaman junction.

Thanks to everyone.  I'll also reach out to Strasburg.  I also bought tickets for an excursion later in the day but didn't receive any instructions for that yet.  Just assumed it would go through the station.