Engineer For An Hour

The “Engineer for an Hour at the Museum” program allows you to get operating instruction from one of our FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) licensed engineers.

After preliminary safety instructions, you will be at the controls of one of our four diesel locomotives. Operation will be along our main line which has approximately 4 miles of track, running from our station at Boulder City to Railroad Pass, just east of Interstate 11 and U.S. 93/95. The crew will consist of yourself as student engineer, an engineer, and a brakeman.

For only $250.00 you will have the opportunity to experience running a diesel-electric locomotive along the historic tracks of the Boulder Branch Line, which were used during the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930’s. You will be accompanied and instructed by one of our certified locomotive engineers.

Call us for your “Engineer for an Hour” experience. You will operate one of the locomotives on our roster, including:

  • GE 80-Ton Diesel-Electric Locomotive #L-3
  • EMC NW-2 #1000
  • Fairbanks Morse #1855
  • EMD GP-30 #844

We highly recommend making reservations at least two weeks in advance.

  • Reservations are available Wednesday through Friday only
  • One guest is allowed to accompany you in the cab
  • The engineer for an hour and guest must be at least 18 years old
  • Specific locomotive requests will be accommodated when possible, although substitutions may be necessary

A certificate, suitable for framing, is awarded at the end of your session.

Please call (702) 486-5952 or email us at info@NevadaSouthern.com to make your reservation.

*The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City is one of seven museums managed by the Division of Museums and History, an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Department serves Nevada’s citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, presentation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The Department also includes the State Office of Historic Preservation, Nevada State Library and Archives, and the Nevada Arts Council. For more information visit the department’s website at www.NevadaCulture.org.