Taking My First Steam Cab Ride...What To Expect?

It will be hot, and there will be a lot of hot surfaces. Wear appropriate clothes. Ask lots of questions--railroaders enjoy explaining what's happening and what we're doing. You might get a little dirty and/or greasy. You'll have a GREAT time!

It will be hot as Steve said. Also since the 734 is a coal burner you should consider safety glasses because of cinders. I also always try to wear ear plugs and long sleeves when I'm on the 765.

Have fun, it will be something you will never forget!

To follow up on what smd4 just advised:

1) Wear ONLY 100% cotton clothing!

2) Get a pair of raw-hide work cloves. Do not try those nice tight fitting fancy smooth leather gloves, because when those get hot, they will shrink onto your hand/fingers, and you'll have a heck of a time getting them off.

3) Remember, 734 is a coal burner! Safety glasses with tight fitting side shields are a MUST!

4) Wear high top, LACE-UP safety boots. Wearing pull-on boots will allow cinders to go down inside the boots, whether hot or cold, cinders inside boots are a pain in the foot.

5) Wear a LONG SLEEVE cotton shirt, over your T-shirt. No matter how hot it is!

6) Wear a cotton hat/cap.

Some may want to add more suggestions.

Do NOT wear Polyester Clothes.

Someone who has been around hot stuff and learned.

Hydrate.

Basically, do not wear anything that you don't want covered in coal dust/grime/oil.  Steam engines are "cool", but they are also very dirty--and hot. Expect the temperature in the cab to be a good 15-20 degrees above the outside. 

For footwear, if you don't have what Hotwater mentioned, wear some very sturdy hiking boots.  Tennis shoes and steam engines do not mix.  It's very easy to turn an ankle walking on balast.  Depending on how sensitive your ears are, ear protection is a very good idea also.  It gets pretty loud.

Finally, some steam engines ride very smooth.  734 rides VERY rough.  You get used to it after a while, but prepare to keep a hold onto something, even if your balance is top notch.  If you have bad balance, be very, very careful.  I'm not sure if the stoker is working at the moment or not, but if they are hand-firing, keep out of the way of the fireman.

Beyond that, just be safe and have fun.  The 734 gets a heck of a workout on that railroad, and the last mile or two into Frostburg gets up to about 2.8%.  It's not mainline steam, but it might be as close as you can get these days.

Oh...one final thing.  Be sure to thank the crew at the end.  You have no idea how much a simple thank you can mean.

Kevin

Many thanks for all the tips. They are much appreciated and I will certainly be listening to each one. WMSR has, from my understanding, been offering cab rides for quite a few years now...I would imagine they have places (perhaps behind the engineer & fireman seats?) for us to stand. Regardless, the first thing that popped into my mind was keeping out of the way. I do hope it will be a fun experience. It is something I have wanted to do for some time now. 

My only experience in the cab at WMSR has been on photo charters, where the rules may be a little different.

There aren't any rider seats, but there is standing room (if you don't mind being cramped) behind the engineer and fireman.  There's also standing room on the deck, but you have to be very cautious of the moving floor plates as the engine and tender constantly change position back and forth and side-to-side.  The rules were fairly relaxed for the charter (ie stay safe, stay out of the way and have fun), but they may change a bit on the normal tourist runs where you have non-railfans that have no idea what to expect up there.

Trust me when I say this--you will have a blast.  You might come out looking like you have been working in an underground coal mine and have very little hearing left...but it will be worth it.  The WMSR might just be the best place in the US for a cabride as far as distance, grades, scenery (curves, a tunnel, bridges) and some amount of speed are concerned.

If you haven't been there before, I'll tell you that 734 is a LOT bigger than your average tourist railroad steam locomotive.  Don't let the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement fool you.  That thing is a hoss of an engine and it moves on out on that railroad.

Kevin

I'd say these folks have the clothing recommendations covered. But I would like to reiterate to hold on. There will be a bar under the back of the cab roof that holds the curtain. Holding on to that works well for me. Also, just wait until you enter that tunnel. Try to breathe lightly while in there. And note the increase in temperature. And If Kevin is your engineer, tell him I said hey.

• Noise.
• Dirt.
• More noise, especially in the tunnel.
• Lot's of movement - it will not be a smooth ride.
• Did I mention dirt?
• One more thing...it will be noisy.

Noise, heat, soot, coal, smoke, hot oil...  And the best time of your life!

My first ride was on IRM's St. Regis (J. Neils Lumber) Shay #5 when I was around 13.  It was the best 10mph ride I ever took.

Rusty

Way back when I got a cab ride from Harriman Jct to Chattanoga on 2716 before the 40 mph restriction.  It was 60 plus that day.  What hurt was not the deck dropping out from under your feet but the meeting as it came back up.  Still is one of my best memories.  Have fun.

George Lasley

We have a candy thermometer in our cab--a regular thermometer doesn't go high enough. We've been up to 148 degrees in August...

Therefore--bring a small cooler of water or Gatorade. Bring a few extra bottles for the crew.

Great suggestion on thanking the crew. Don't worry (too much) about getting in the way; I try to maneuver around our guests when I can. If I need to have them move, I'll ask nicely.

All of the above..especially this one "One more thing...it will be noisy."

When I rode, liked to stand in the gangway on the left side back of the fireman

the last two and a half miles to the Frostburg Depot. It gets very steep there, starting at swtich number nine, and there are two sharp turns there to get to the depot, all of whcih combine to make the 734 work hard, and you will love the sound!

Just tell the fireman to let you know when you are near number nine, and tell him you will stand in the gangway out of his way, he no doubt will have to shovel a little, even though she does have a stoker.

Hold on tight, and allow some movement in your legs, she'll be rockin' and rollin'!

I'll be at the Cumberland Station when you board, if the weather's good. It's Cumberland's Heritage Days, wife and I will attend.

Ed Mullan

I once rode No. 734's cab from Helmsetter's back to town. There was a brakeman seat then.

No. 734 easily is the fiercest bucking' bronco steam cab I have ever been in. (What that really means is that the cab rolls around a lot.)

If the fireman uses the hook or rake, be sure not to touch it afterwards. Also avoid the firedoor treadle that opens and closes the firedoor with a hiss and a clank. I guarantee you will stand on it when you are stopped and it will startle you and you will feel stupid. (The last two warnings are from personal experience)

Steam locomotives can be real loud when moving, But when stopped, except for the air pumps thumping, they are startling quiet. No thundering prime movers here!

Have a great ride. It never gets old!

After my cab ride on NH&IRR in #40, I only regret one thing.  I was too bashful to ask to blow that steam whistle.

I've always wanted to do that.

This is your chance, don't blow it by not blowing it.

I have to smile just reading those descriptions. I'll bet you'll smile for a week afterward!

Thanks again all. I have yet to ride the WMSR so this will be a first on a few accounts. The RR doesn't seem to have a very good following with online travel sites (many bad reviews) but I noted most were from October where, I can understand, it can be a bit crazy. 

Ed Mullan - see you at the station. I also have the 10AM time slot to operate the GP30 in the station area. Not sure what I'm looking forward to the most, the steam cab ride or running the GP! It'll be just a step up from my 2 foot gauge "CP Huntington" that we use as a scenic excursion trip (not an amusement ride) and my O gauge layout! 

I was prepared for everything but the noise.  It was much greater than I had imagined it would be.

I took a cab ride on the 734 a number of years ago, and most of the advice given is good.  The important ones are to dress appropriately, and when in motion, make sure you are holding on to an appropriate railing or surface - it is definitely a rough (but fun  ) ride.  And no one is kidding when they say that you will get dirty - when we got back to the station in Cumberland, I looked like I had just crawled out of a coal mine (not that I minded at all).

Andy

We expect a full report on the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feel!

Consider yourself lucky.

Thanks,

Mario

Your a lucky guy...ditto on the photos and such. 

Hey buddy whenever anybody will read this thread I am sure he/she will have a blast.