Put yourself at the controls of a vintage diesel locomotive!
Event Prices
Members: $325 ($310 + $15 handling fee)*
Non-Members: $340 ($325 + $15 handling fee)*
Dates/Times
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
(Tickets on sale July 13 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time)
*N.C. Sales Tax will be added at the time of purchase. One ticket per time slot.
Note: This experience is not ADA accessible. Participant must be able to pull him/herself up from the ground by holding onto railings on the locomotive while climbing steps onto the locomotive, then enter the locomotive through the cab door. The event takes place rain or shine, and there are no refunds or exchanges.
At the Throttle: Diesel
SOLD OUT!
Quick Links: Included with Event | Event Pricing | Dates/Times
Put yourself at the controls of a vintage diesel locomotive!
At the Throttle: Diesel is back and we’re giving you a chance to take control of a vintage diesel locomotive! Honorary engineers will run the locomotive in an extended 45-minute session on the route of the museum’s regular passenger trains, supervised by a licensed engineer.
Norfolk and Western GP9 No. 620, built in 1958, is the locomotive planned to be operating for these sessions. It was built for use on freight trains of the Norfolk and Western Railway and was later donated to the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation, where it often pulls the museum’s passenger trains. (Please note that we reserve the right to substitute another vintage diesel locomotive if necessary for these sessions. Regardless, you’ll have the opportunity to operate a classic diesel locomotive from a bygone era.)
Included:
- 45-minute session operating the locomotive around the N.C. Transportation Museum’s passenger train route
- Choice of an engineer’s cap or museum ball cap
- Honorary Engineer certificate signed and dated
- Admission to the N.C. Transportation Museum for the Honorary Engineer
After a quick safety briefing and instructions on how to operate the locomotive, climb aboard for your turn to ride down the rails! Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your selected time for a safety orientation session. Participants must be 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license. Check in at the Barber Junction Visitor Center, where the crew will meet with you to begin your experience. Please be prepared to sign a liability release form prior to your session and show your driver’s license as identification. Clothing appropriate to a working rail yard should be worn at all times. Jeans/overalls/long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and boots are required. Participants wishing to have their picture taken should bring a camera. Museum admission is included for the Honorary Engineer but must be purchased at the Visitor Center for any additional guest during museum operating hours.
Join us for this once in a lifetime experience that any rail fan will love. Do it for yourself or purchase as a gift for your favorite rail fan.
Event Prices
Members: $325 ($310 + $15 handling fee)*
Non-Members: $340 ($325 + $15 handling fee)*
Dates/Times
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
(Tickets on sale July 13 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time)
*N.C. Sales Tax will be added at the time of purchase. One ticket per time slot.
Note: This experience is not ADA accessible. Participant must be able to pull him/herself up from the ground by holding onto railings on the locomotive while climbing steps onto the locomotive, then enter the locomotive through the cab door. The event takes place rain or shine, and there are no refunds or exchanges.