Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

The Valley Railroad Company is proud of its educational program: Your Hand on the Throttle. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about and actually operate a full size steam locomotive.

You Can Drive this Locomotive!

Registrants will receive home study materials covering railroad and steam locomotive safety plus information on basic steam locomotive theory and operation. At the beginning of each session (8:00 am or 12:00 pm) each group will receive instruction on steam locomotive operation and be given a safety test. Following the test each member of the group will be allowed to operate one of our steam locomotives under the direct and constant supervision of our crew on an approximately one hour trip over The Valley Railroad. Only one registrant will be allowed on the locomotive for each trip.

Registration is in advance. All participants must sign a "General Release" as a condition of registration. Participation in the program is limited to 8 per day - so reserve your spot early! Scheduling is first come - first served, so please be prepared to pick first, second, and third choices for dates and sessions (morning or afternoon).

This program is designed to give each registrant the opportunity to learn about steam locomotives and actually operate one. The program does not qualify someone for unsupervised operation or operations with a train.

An 80-Ton Locomotive under your control!
Every Kid's Dream - Regardless of Age!

Registrants must be at least 18 years old, in good health, physically able to operate a steam locomotive, and sign a "General Release". Proper clothing, shoes and eye protection must be worn while on the property of The Valley Railroad Company.

The cost for this extraordinary opportunity is $500. Please contact the Valley Railroad at (860) 767-0103 for further details and registration. Payment is refundable only if program is cancelled.

Your Hand On The Throttle will be run on the following dates in 2010.

  • April 9 - 11, 2010
  • April 16 - 18, 2010
  • April 23 - 25, 2010
  • Nov 5 - Nov 14, 2010

There will be morning and afternoon sessions. Please when calling to register indicate which date and session you prefer. Also let us know other choices if your first choice is not available.

J. David Conrad - Chief Mechanical Officer
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The Valley Railroad Company
One Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 452
Essex, CT 06426
Phone: (860) 767-0103 · (800) 377-3987
FAX: (860) 767-0104
Email: valley.railroad@snet.net

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