Cab Rides

[Wakey spotter]

Has anyone ever had a ride on the Cabplate of a locomotive ?
If so what was it like ?
Kris

[billyboy]

Depends what class you are on. 4-6-2's give a much smoother ride than a 4-6-0. An 0-6-0 can bounce you around at speed (like a Q1) If you get a ride with a good crew you will stay clean enough. otherwise you will come home covered in coal dust. Running light with the fire hole door open you will feel the heat. So many factors involved here to give you a clear answer. But as a one off experience you will love it and remember it always.

[avonside1563]

Sorry to be a pedant, but it's footplate not cabplate!
Also depends on whether you are mainline or preserved, 60+mph is exciting but then so is a slow slog up a steep bank with a heavy load.

[boilersuit]

I've ridden on the footplate many times on preserved railways, but only twice out on the main line – both times on Kinlet Hall. Once the loco got into its stride at around 60mph the feeling was absolutely awesome – quite exhilarating with all the noise and vibration. You have to hold on tight! Can't wait to do it again if I'm offered the chance.

[HM181]

I spent quite a lot of time riding about on locomotives for hours on end.
If you got with a chain smoking driver it was the end of my world.
If it was the choice for me to come back from Warrington on a train of a loco, the train wins hands down.
Cold draughty cabs, with doors with inches of gaps under them, fag end all over the place and particulate smoke with raw diesel init. My choice of heaven, I think not.
Try 18 hours in Standage Tunnel with a class 56 engine gassing you, not very nice.

[John_142]

Not had a CAB ride on a LOCO but had one in a Class 150/2,142, & a 101 at the EVR.

[G7USL]

The thread opener is referring to Diesel/Electric. Thats why he posted in this forum.

I used to drive them on the GNR.

[ntloop]

I remember as a young spotter at Newcastle Central station getting an unexpexted ride in a class 03 diesel shunter.
Myself and some other spotters were in the cab for quite a while talking to the driver and his mate when the loco started moving from platform 7 towards the castle. It returned to another platform. It was short and sweet and a rough ride i remember.
I also remember the driver kept telling us not to touch the controls and then telling us off when the engine stopped. Looking back i think this was a joke on his part and he turned it off himself.

[G7USL]

Originally Posted by ntloop

I remember as a young spotter at Newcastle Central station getting an unexpexted ride in a class 03 diesel shunter.
Myself and some other spotters were in the cab for quite a while talking to the driver and his mate when the loco started moving from platform 7 towards the castle. It returned to another platform. It was short and sweet and a rough ride i remember.
I also remember the driver kept telling us not to touch the controls and then telling us off when the engine stopped. Looking back i think this was a joke on his part and he turned it off himself.

Yes they was really uncomfortable to ride on. Most was used for shunting but we had a link at Kings Cross called the 'Run Around' and it was transporting wagons to local area's.
They never had any pulling problems with a top speed of 20MPH and 350HP it was noisy and tedious. The worst job was being with a driver that wouldn't allow you to 'have a go' so you would be counting the hours away waiting for going home time. The only heating inside the cab came from the electric stove.

[Flying Pig]

I drove a Class 66 with 24 loaded Flat Wagons from Rugby to Wembly once. It was a real disappointment. I was expecting to feel a heavy train 'dragging' behind me, but there was nothing...we could have been running light loco - it was just like the crummy EMU I normally drive. My mate said we had about 1200 tons on, but the 66 handled it easily.

The acceleration and braking was impressive - if it wasn't for the large cab and booming sound it could have been a Networker.

I now understand what the 'Old Boys' meant when they said British-built locos had character, whilst the new American ones don't. But as a driver myself I appreciate that the most important thing is getting the job done and going home, rather than sitting on a broken 'charismatic' loco all night.

FP