Contact

Admissions Desk
88 Brunel Road, Huntsville, ON, P1H 1R1

Phone: 705-789-7576 ext. 3214
TTY: 705-789-1768
Fax: 705-789-6169

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Steam Locomotive #2. Green and black saddletank locomotive with brass signal bell top centre and Canadian flags flying on each side of the tank. Steam coming from the front end of the locomotive. Circular red and gold name platre reads #2.

 

Steam locomiotive #2. Green and black saddletank locomotive with brass signal bell top centre and Union Jacks flying on each side of the tank. Circular red and gold name plate reads #2.

 

 
Engineer for a Day

 

What would it be like to get behind the controls of a historic 1926 steam locomotive or a 1949 diesel electric locomotive? Imagine being a part of history by actually engineering the Portage Flyer Steam Train. Once the world's shortest commercial railway, it operated between North and South Portage near Dwight between 1904 and 1959.

Muskoka Heritage Place is offering you this unique opportunity.

  • Our Engineer for a Day program provides you with the necessary training in policy, procedure and railway protocol
  • There are 4 stages to our program - Pre-screening / Interview - Written Exam - Practical Instruction - You take the Controls
  • The first step is to contact Ron Gostlin to pick your ideal available program date.  
  • Pre-Screening interview of applicants is mandatory and must be conducted well in advance of the program date. The interview may be conducted in person or by telephone after you have reviewed, in detail our Terms and Conditions  . These may be mailed to you if you wish
  • If approved at the pre-screening stage you will receive a modified version of our "General Operating Procedures and Expectations" to take away and study prior to program day
  • Bring a lunch because your full day program will begin at 9:00 am with orientation and our "General Operating Procedures and Expectations" examination.
  • After passing the examination you will receive one on one practical training from our certified engineer instructor
  • After you complete a practical instruction you will be given practice exercises and when our engineer instructor determines that you are ready to take the controls with a train full of passengers he will turn it over to you
  • The engineer instructor will never leave your side, will give you direction as required and will take the controls should any irregular situation arise
  • We encourage you to ask our rail personnel all of the questions you wish and soak up as much knowledge of the true operation of a steam or diesel electric locomotive as your day allows
  • The day wraps up by 4:00 pm and the level of achievement you gain over the course of the day will be directly relative to your proficiency and how well you take direction
  • Cost $200.00 plus HST and is due at the time of booking
  • Age Restriction 16 years or older
  • Only one "Engineer for the Day" program per day
  • Anyone that you may wish to bring with you must pay regular admission rates and because the program demands your absolute attention, they are not permitted to ride with you in the locomotive
  • Should you cancel your program and Muskoka Heritage Place is unable to rebook your date, your full amount will be forfeited
  • Muskoka Heritage Place reserves the right to refuse any application
  • Please note: Our Rail season runs from May 19th to October 6th, but not all dates are available.
    Registration opens on March 14th, (Casey Jones birthday 1863).
    Call Ron Gostlin at 705-789-7576 ex 3210 or email ron.gostlin@huntsville.ca to arrange your pre-screening interview.