Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
On a HOT June day in 2026, we were invited to a private event at the Monticello Railway Museum.
This museum offers a Throttle Time experience, where people can take control of this 120 ton EMD F-7a, Wabash 1189, and a short train of a few cars and the caboose.
While the museum operates almost 15 miles of track, the throttle time experience takes place on a little over 2 miles between 2 public grade crossings. This is due to FRA regulations and State Law which prohibits unlicensed persons from operating a locomotive over public grade crossings.
The museum does have their own private crossing in the middle of the run, which allows the visiting "engineer" to actually blow the standard 2 Longs, Short, and a Long horn sequence. Each person in our group ran the train south, then reversed back through the station to the north end, then ran back south stopping back where we started.
My wife promised me when we first got together (years ago) that if we ever had the opportunity to do a throttle time, she would do it.
I think she did great! What do you think?
Leave a comment down below, and share this video to encourage more people to give it a try!
On a HOT June day in 2026, we were invited to a private event at the Monticello Railway Museum.
This museum offers a Throttle Time experience, where people can take control of this 120 ton EMD F-7a, Wabash 1189, and a short train of a few cars and the caboose.
While the museum operates almost 15 miles of track, the throttle time experience takes place on a little over 2 miles between 2 public grade crossings. This is due to FRA regulations and State Law which prohibits unlicensed persons from operating a locomotive over public grade crossings.
The museum does have their own private crossing in the middle of the run, which allows the visiting "engineer" to actually blow the standard 2 Longs, Short, and a Long horn sequence. Each person in our group ran the train south, then reversed back through the station to the north end, then ran back south stopping back where we started.
My wife promised me when we first got together (years ago) that if we ever had the opportunity to do a throttle time, she would do it.
I think she did great! What do you think?
Leave a comment down below, and share this video to encourage more people to give it a try!
