2023 Steam Locomotive Experience

Have you ever wanted to learn how to operate a real steam locomotive? Here at the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad we provide an immersive six hour long experience where you will learn how to start up, fire and operate a steam locomotive on our own private railway. Your day starts at a local restaurant where you will meet our instructors, then proceed to the railroad where we will pull locomotive 58 out of the enginehouse and prepare it for the day's operation by cleaning out the smokebox and firebox, then building and lighting a fire. Over the next two hours as the locomotive heats up to operating pressure you will learn about the mechanics of how the locomotive works and will be given the opportunity to develop your skill at shoveling coal into the firebox. Once the locomotive is ready to run, you will be instructed on how to operate it and then it is your turn to run the locomotive up and down our 1,000 foot track. By then it will be lunch time and you will be served lunch prepared using the locomotive itself to do the cooking! To participate you must be 18 years or older and be physically capable of firing and and operating the controls. The instructors make the final determination as to the suitability of participants based upon safety reasons. We sold out all of our Steam Locomotive Experience slots in 2022, so if you want to guarantee yourself a slot in 2023 you can pre register now and then choose the day and time later on. We will offer the Experiences on most weekends between June and October. Once you register you will receive an email guaranteeing your slot. When you are ready to come out get back in touch and we will work with you to schedule your visit to best fit your time available and that fits into our operations. The J&L Steam Locomotive Experience makes a great gift for the railroad and steam lover in your family! Our open ended scheduling policy allows you to give an Experience without worrying about dates and times. The recipient can schedule that at their own convenience!