Cab rides

[JoeGJ1984]

I know that there are a number of videos on youtube from driver's cabs. Is it possible to get cab rides without being a driver? Has anyone on here done so/attempted to get a cab ride? It would be something I would be interested in seeing. Is it worth contacting TOCs?

I remember reading that Wrexham and Shropshire offered a competition to win your dad a ride in the cab on Father's Day for two years. I tried contacting Wrexham and Shropshire by email suggesting that they allow people to buy cab rides for a higher price than normal travel, but got no reply. (I thought this would be a good way for them to make some extra money, especially now they have had to reduce the number of trains per day from four to three. It would be a similar sort of thing to a driving experience on a heritage railway, but you would not get to drive here, just be in the cab).

Anyway, does anyone know if it is possible to contact TOCs to arrange cab rides?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Health and Safety, insurance, paperwork... it ain't gonna happen mate, sorry.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The chances, I'm afraid, are virtually zero. Officially the only people other than the train crew and other authorised railway officials who are permitted in the cabs are accredited journalists under pre-arranged supervision.

Most of those videos are very likely being made by traincrew.


Having said that, that sort of competition is offered from time to time, though rarely, and unless it has been stopped in recent years SBB certainly did sell - at a quite steep price - cab rides, including over the Gotthard route, but it certainly isn't done within the UK.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

I kind of thought so. I think W&S is the odd one out here, but I thought that knowing that it can be done for a father's day competition, it would be feasible to 'sell' cab rides, which would be easy to do and make them money (which they need getting no subsidy). I'm sure a number of rail enthusiasts do travel with W&S and would be interested. Their first class return ticket (most expensive possible) costs £120 from Wrexham General to London Marylebone return (or vice versa). So I think that a cab ride of the whole route return could be 'sold' at, say £200. I would be interested in that if it does ever happen. As I say, I emailed them about it but got no reply (I find it annoying getting no reply to an email to companies, OK if it can't be done, at least give me the courtesy of a reply to say so. Particularly for W&S, who are more customer oriented than other TOCs).

 

[scotsman]

It is not permitted for any member of the public to be in the cab without the explicit permission of the management. The Driver is not in any position to allow anyone (who is not authorised) to ride in the cab with him. Such cab rides require the consent of the TOC, the Driver and the Driver Manager - who will be in attendance. As a result, this couldn't be some sort of common occurance. If you write explaining what you want in a polite letter to senior management, who knows! A couple of teenagers were talking to some high heid yins at EMT during the Valenta Venturer and ended up getting a cabbie from St Pancras up to Derby!

A GBRf was selling cabbies (with permission) on eBay for charity earlier this year - keep your eyes and easrs open!

 

[Oracle]

I have in the past, both on British Rail as was, and Underground. Very unofficially and having been invited in. That said, wearing my hat as a mag editor, I was granted permission to do a cab ride on a tube train on a stock transfer move. However, the Manager knew of me, and my job and I had to have an interview. I then didn't take it up as I could not arrange a suitable day with my friend, a driver at the time. No way would I even think about asking management now. Health & Safety, security...all those issues have it seems clamped-down and any driver giving a 'lift' without permission would be sacked. I know even 30 years ago on the Undergound, every person and his dog contacted LT to ask about cab rides. That is probably why you got no reply. Instant 'bin'.

That said, it might be possible perhaps to go through channels if there was a commercial video to be made. That presumably means money in the coffers for fees and licences. Also no doubt an awful lot of checking has to be done to ensure that it is bona fide.

As regards heritage railways, I know that they sometimes arrange cab rides. This may be part of a course, or on especial request. I paid for a driving course on the North Norfolk back in 1979, and was promised a ride on the Mid-Hants a few years later for services rendered but never took it up. It might be worth enquiring as to how much it costs, if possible.

In addition, minor railways often do courses in driving experience. The Easteigh Lakeside Railway do courses. My kids did a morning's driving on the Royal Victoria Railway in the Country Park in Netley Abbey, and had a good time.

 

[E&W Lucas]

You're wasting your time asking I'm afraid.

Any "guest" has to be accompanied, usually by a driver manager. This is obviously quite a considerable cost, and also these people do not have the time to be doing this very often. It does happen, but on a very occasional basis. A driver retiring might be allowed to take his wife on his last trip, for example.

It's also a no go on safety grounds. Distraction of drivers is a major concern, which is why the rules about cab access are so strict, even for railway staff.

The best you can hope for is a heritage line package. Try http://www.nymr.co.uk/information/footplate-experience/
If it's diesel that you want, I'm sure that they will be able to oblige.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I had a cab ride when I was on my work experience last year, I had to be given a cab pass (which I still have!) and be accompanied by a Driver Manager, but they would never allow the public in, unless in exceptional circumstances, such as a last drive before retirement or as a competition winner...

 

[dave_wm]

During my work experience with Network Rail, I attended a meeting with Cross Country, and Sarah Kendall (Production Manager? with Cross Country) was there, and I was offered a mornings return cab ride anywhere on Cross Country Trains - I plumbed for an HST from Birmingham down to Bristol and a Voyager back - a Driver Manager took over from the normal driver.

I think I was very lucky to be offered that though!

 

[JoeGJ1984]

I know that W&S did the competition to win your dad a cab ride two years running on Father's Day. They also do other things on their trains, such as doing a 'Time train' to London, where you could hear a talk about history (wasn't on it; don't remember the details). I think they have done Santa Specials before. I think W&S is the only TOC (I don't know if they are technically a TOC as they are open access) I know which offer things other than simply travelling from A to B on a train.

Given that W&S do 'extras' sometimes, and have allowed members of the public cab rides, I thought it would be relatively simple for them to set up a 'Driver's cab experience' day that anyone could pay for (probably at a high price).All they would need to do is advertise it, etc. and let the right person (with a ticket/confirmation of booking) into the cab. Perhaps encourage people to buy it for others for birthdays/Christmas presents. It would be their equivalent of footplate experiences with heritage railways, but only allowing people to be in the cab rather than driving.

 

[GearJammer]

I've had 4 unofficial cab rides in Freightliner 66's but these were in terminals and were with the permission of the driver and yard supervisor, its a shame companies don't just trust drivers to be responsible, have any incidents ever occured because of cab rides?

 

[westcoaster]

I've had 4 unofficial cab rides in Freightliner 66's but these were in terminals and were with the permission of the driver and yard supervisor, its a shame companies don't just trust drivers to be responsible, have any incidents ever occured because of cab rides?

All I will say is ,it has at our depot

 

[scotsman]

have any incidents ever occured because of cab rides?

I am told a GNER Driver once SPADed because he had a friend in the cab with him.

Speaking of cab 'rides' there was the story of (ironically enough) the Virgin Driver who supposedly gave one of the onboard CSAs a good seeing to..

 

[4SRKT]

I had a cab ride on 08064 (now preserved ) in York Yard once. My mate's uncle was the shunter there and he let us in and let us drive it up and down the siding. Mind you, this was in 1984! Things have definitely changed!

I also got a cab pass off Northern Ireland Railways in 1986 and rode from Belfast to Dublin and back in the cab of GM loco number 112. I will quite simply never forget that day: it was outstanding. Coming back the inspector who was required for insurance reasons bailed at Portadown 'cos he lived there. My mate and I suggested that we should go back and sit in the coaches, but both inspector and driver said waved this off and told us we could stay put. This despite the fact that they clearly must have known an enormous riot was going on in Lurgan about 5 miles away. As we approached we could see flames from quite a way away, and hear a huge amount of noise. The driver switched off the train headlights and accelerated towards the town. He told us to 'get down', and we all crouched down well below window level, with only the driver's hand reaching up to the handle. As we came through the town at 80+ mph (max line speed 70) a shower of bricks, bottles and petrol bombs hit the loco, one brick coming through the cab side window. Quite an experience for a 15 year old lad who'd grown up in York, I can tell you!

 

[scotsman]

I've had a legal cabbie on 37025 in Bo'ness yard once, that was a belter!

 

[4SRKT]

I also got a go on the footplate of GNR(I) 4-4-0 no 171 'Slieve Gullion' from Befast York Road to Downshire in 1982. I was a lucky lad with the right contacts it would seem

 

[notadriver]

I would have thought a cab ride on a heritage railway would be really boring as the top speed is just 25 mph. And £250 for a train driving experience at a mind-blowing 25 mph doesn't seem worth it.

 

[scotsman]

I would have thought a cab ride on a heritage railway would be really boring as the top speed is just 25 mph. And £250 for a train driving experience at a mind-blowing 25 mph doesn't seem worth it.

Depends where you go, Driver for a /two fiver(s) are popular

 

[CosherB]

Friend of mine (many years ago) got a cab ride in an 86 Manchester to London, and actually drove the loco most of the way! But that was back in the '70s and his mate, the driver, has now passed on. Shows what used to be possible, though!

I've had a few unofficial cab and footplate rides on BR, but not in the last 20 years or so. Started when I was about 6 on the tank engines on the Manchester Ship Canal Railway in Trafford Park.

Done loads of cab rides heritage lines, however. I'm footplate crew on the replica 'Planet' at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and when I introduce myself as such to 'heritage' drivers that usually gets me onto the footplate assuming I'm suitably dressed (tough boots, working clothes etc). I got to drive the NRM's ROD 2-8-0 Rothley to Leicester recently!

 

[Chester025]

Health and Safety, insurance, paperwork... it ain't gonna happen mate, sorry.

It's funny you should say that really, as in the forward thinking German-world, the Harz Steam Railway offer cab rides for a fee. I don't think there has been any problems there!

 

[DarloRich]

It is not like when i was a kid and you just had to ask the driver and sometimes he would let you ride in the cab -it would NEVER be allowed these days!

 

[Mojo]

I wouldn't say never, search the forum for a few people who have been given unofficial rides on the Met. I also know it is possible to get approval for people to get rides in the cab on the Tube from appropriate management for those who do not need it as this formed part of the induction activities for some of those involved in my welcome week for new employees.

 

[scotsman]

It is not like when i was a kid and you just had to ask the driver and sometimes he would let you ride in the cab -it would NEVER be allowed these days!

It is! Just don't expect a lift anywhere!

 

[Lee_Again]

I have a couple of stories that should give you some hope.

About two years ago I was offered the opportunity to ride in the cab from Kings Cross to Leeds, and back. HST on the down, and 91(DVT) for the up trip. There were three people in the cab, driver, driver manager and me. I did sign some paperwork and had a 'do's and don'ts' chat before we departed. It was all very professional. Both the driver and driver manager could not have been more welcoming (even bringing a spare chair so that we could all sit down). They answered all my questions and providing we weren't running under caution were happy for me to take as many photos as I wished (including the money shot with the speedo at 125). I can confirm that it was a wonderful experience, one that I will never forget.

More recently I was returning from London and the FCC driver kindly left the door between first and the cab open on a 365. My 6 year (ok, and his dad) had an excellent time. And at no point did we distract the driver or did he divert his attention from the job in hand; other than a BIG thank you once we arrived at our final station. I did a thread on this about 5 months ago if you want to search.

Finally, a friend of mine wrote to what was GNER and asked for a cab ride. He quickly got a letter back and he had a similar experience to me but went to Newcastle instead.

There are a lot of good people who work on the railways and in my experience if they can, they will, no matter what the request is; including cab rides.

Good luck, I waited 36 years for mine and it was worth every second.

 

[Simon Poole]

I beeen on cab of steam locos just for my photo taken, ask the driver, but i was Didcot during the GWR 175 Celebrations in and i recorded two out of the four cab rides and put them on youtube, which i paid rough between £250 & £300

GWR 3650: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKfjBXTMh8U

GWR 7827 'Lydham Manor': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdENRKHq3Sk

i remember when i was younger i was on an Train from Paignton to Kingswear which was hauled by 7827 and the next year i went back down it ended up being 6024 King Edward 1st becuase 7827 was under overhaul and this was 10 to 13 years ago

I wouldn't mind if the Chase Line from Rugeley TV to Birmingham New Street was being filmed but my brother was coming home from work and the driver gave him an cab ride from Rugeley TV to Rugeley Town without any paperwork or driver manager

 

[Striker]

I was travelling on a HST between Birmingham New Street and Leeds in 1986, aged 10, with my dad. We happened to be sat opposite two drivers who were going to take over the train at Derby. They noticed that I was interested in trains and unknown to me, whilst I was sticking my head out the window, they told my dad to come to get off the train at Derby and come to the cab. So my dad took me (I didn't know what we were doing), and sure enough, they let us in. I couldn't believe it. They sat me down in the right hand seat and I was doing the horn and throttle. I loved it and I'll never forget it. Drove it to Chesterfield.

 

[33056]

The Rhätischen Bahn in Switzerland offer cab rides, for a price click here for details - details of the Harz offer can be found here (don't think there is an English version).

 

[transportphoto]

details of the Harz offer can be found here (don't think there is an English version).

English Version - Translated automatically by google chrome:

Joining in the cab of a steam locomotive

- How is the steam engine "fed"?

- How much carbon does a steam locomotive?

- Which lever is the steam engine driver "gas"?

the answer to these questions can be obtained from a ride on a steam locomotive!

For the following conditions must be met:

Minimum age 18
the physical and health condition should not prevent the Co Pilot - a steam locomotive is much harder suspension than a passenger car, there is no sitting
Who are passengers can be carried on all routes of HSB. Given the following options:

The route is around 15 km, all routes except Drei Annen Hohne - Brocken
Distance Drei Annen Hohne - Brocken
33.00 EUR
65.00 EUR
The steam locomotive is a Co Pilot advance fixed date (day, train, travel distance) agreed.
Payment of the Co Pilot can day trip to a place at the ticket office of the HSB.

As a special gift for railway fans is the issue of a gift voucher (with or without a fixed date) is possible, for which we charge an additional coupon of 1.50 EUR charge a.

Who are passengers at their own risk, possible damage or contamination of clothing is not a substitute for the HSB. For children who are passengers, we recommend older, dark clothing and insensitive, as the operation of a steam locomotive separated from soot, oil, etc. is connected.
Before driving instruction takes place on the behavior of a steam locomotive.

We point out that the demand on the route Wernigerode - Annen Hohne - Brocken is the highest Drei Annen Hohne and three. On the weekends, a ride in exceptional cases only.

For more information or to book your Co Pilot you with advice contact:

for the resin and cross-Brockenbahn:
Mr. Prochnau Tel no. 03943/558151
Fax no. 03943/558148
eMail: Customer Service

for Selketalbahn:
Steam Shop No. 1, Gernrode
Tel no. 039485/9400
Fax no. 039485/940460


The address of the HSB is:
Harz Narrow Gauge Railways Ltd.
Postfach 10 12 27
38 842 Wernigerode

Soon on a steam train!

 

[222007]

As an RPI i am not even aloud in the front cab. I wouldnt dream of asking as i wouldnt want to risk either my or my drivers job's. This is not to say i wouldnt like to see what goes on up front but its just not worth it

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....its a shame companies don't just trust drivers to be responsible....

It's not the drivers they are worried about! atleast not directly.