Operate a Loco
Take the engineer’s seat and experience the thrill of running a real diesel locomotive with the North Carolina Railway Museum’s Operate-a-Loco program! For one unforgettable hour, you’ll be at the throttle on an 8-mile round trip along the New Hope Valley Railway, winding through a scenic North Carolina pine forest.
Tickets are $295 per session. Buy your session here Two sessions are available each hour, with separate locomotives, instructors, and operators. Proceeds from this program help us maintain our locomotives—thank you for your support! Additional donations are always welcome. Click this link to see how to donate.
Who Can Participate
- Open to anyone 18+ with a valid driver’s license
- Participants operate a diesel locomotive only (not connected to train cars)
- Each operator may bring one Guest/Observer (age 10+) into the cab at no additional cost. Guests may ride along but will not operate the locomotive. Simply let the engineer know upon arrival if you’re bringing a Guest/Observer.
Safety Requirements
- Closed-toe shoes are required for both operator and guest.
- Long sleeves and gloves are recommended.
Arrival Instructions
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled session at our Dispatcher’s Office, 5121 Daisey Street, New Hill, NC 27162, and park along the fence.
Please note: Our steam engine is currently undergoing its required 15-year FRA inspection and will not be part of the Operate-a-Loco program.
YouTube video from Alabama Catholic priest Fr. David Shoemaker’s OAL session: https://youtu.be/5xYLIfiOT64?si=6Yj6oWnLR4FUiWZg
YouTube video from an OAL session
A wonderful video from Our State Magazine – Best-Kept Secrets in the Triangle: North Carolina Railway Museum. At the 2:40 mark in the video, reporter Elizabeth Byland experiences our Operate-a-Loco opportunity.