Pull The Throttle – Prairie Dog Central Railway

Step inside the cab and take control of a living legend: the historic #3 Steam Engine, built by Dübs & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, 1882.

For more than a century, #3 has carried the spirit of railway history and remains the pride of the Prairie Dog Central Railway.

Now, only a select few each year will have the rare opportunity to step into the engineer’s seat and pull the throttle.

Feel the heat. Feel the power. Experience railroading as it once was—how it shaped generations and helped build North America.

THIS ISN’T A TRAIN RIDE.

This is history in motion—and you’re at the throttle!

Unique and Exclusive Experience Opportunities:

Fireman Experience

Work alongside the engineer to keep the fire alive by shovelling coal.

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Diesel Engine Experience

Turn the engine controls and release thousands of horsepower.

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Drive a Living Legend

Drive a living, breathing piece of Canadian railway history.

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Share the Experience

Share moments riding our VIP Caboose with loved ones.

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Your Bucket-List Experience Includes:

Every participant will receive an exclusive Prairie Dog Central Railway merchandise package, specially created for these experiences and not available for purchase anywhere else.

Booking Information

To inquire about availability, pricing, or to reserve one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, please contact us at: tickets@pdcrailway.com

One of our team members will personally assist you in planning and customizing your unforgettable Prairie Dog Central Railway experience.

Important Information & Conditions

Full payment is required at the time of booking.
All bookings are non-refundable but may be transferred to another date/person with approval from the Prairie Dog Central Railway and requested so a minimum of 96 hours in advance.
The Prairie Dog Central Railway reserves the right to postpone or cancel any experience due to weather conditions or any circumstance that may compromise the safety of our guests, volunteers, staff, or equipment. Examples include, but are not limited to, extreme heat warnings, severe weather, wildfire smoke, mechanical issues, or other operational concerns. Should this occur, guests will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another available date.
Participants must provide all required documentation prior to their experience, including valid government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s licence) and, if requested, medical clearance from a physician. Any costs associated with obtaining required documentation are the responsibility of the participant.
Participants must not consume alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing substances within 24 hours of their scheduled experience. Anyone suspected of being under the influence will be denied participation without refund.
Participants are expected to arrive on time. These experiences begin with mandatory safety briefings and training. Late arrivals may miss essential instruction, which could result in a shortened experience or the inability to participate.
Participants are encouraged to wear lightweight, breathable clothing appropriate for the weather. Any required protective clothing or specialized equipment will be provided by the Prairie Dog Central Railway as part of the experience.
Due to the physical nature of certain experiences, participants should ensure they are medically fit to safely participate.

Create a Story You’ll Tell for the Rest of Your Life.
The Prairie Dog Central Railway isn’t just offering a ride. We’re offering the chance to become part of railway history.

Fireman Experience

Become Part of the Crew

Before the sun rises and long before the first passengers arrive, your day begins alongside the Prairie Dog Central Railway’s experienced steam crew.

Working shoulder-to-shoulder with our knowledgeable Hostlers and locomotive crew, you’ll learn how a living piece of history is prepared for another day on the rails. You’ll witness the complete morning inspection, oiling of the locomotive, preparation of the firebox, loading and management of coal, and the countless tasks required to bring a 140-plus-year-old steam engine to life.

We’ll break for breakfast with the crew before taking part in the daily safety briefing, crew assignments, operational planning, and railway checklists. You’ll then receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the locomotive, learn your responsibilities for the day, and be fitted with a railway uniform before stepping into your role as Fireman.

With preparations complete, you’ll help pull historic Steam Engine #3 from the shop, position her on the wye, complete final inspections with the crew, and prepare for departure.

Then the real work begins.

For more than two hours on the rails, you’ll work alongside the engineer, keeping the fire alive and the boiler producing steam by shovelling coal into the firebox—just as generations of railway firemen did before you. Every shovel of coal helps power one of the oldest operating steam locomotives in North America as it hauls up to 310 passengers across the Canadian Prairies.

You’ll experience the heat of the firebox, the sounds of the locomotive working, the teamwork inside the cab, and the incredible satisfaction of helping operate a true railway legend.

Upon returning to Inkster Station, you’ll step off the locomotive knowing you’ve accomplished something very few people in the world will ever experience.

To commemorate your day, you’ll receive professional photographs taken throughout your experience, including action shots aboard the locomotive and portraits inside the cab, creating memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

This isn’t a simulation. This isn’t a museum display. This is real steam railroading.

Uniforms to be provided; you’ll need steel-toe footwear and certified eye protection

Physical Requirements

This experience is physically demanding and designed for individuals who enjoy hands-on work.

Participants must:

Be in good physical condition.
Be capable of repeatedly lifting and shovelling loads exceeding 50 lbs.
Be comfortable working in high-heat conditions.
Be able to stand and work continuously for extended periods.

This is the same demanding work that helped build railways, communities, and much of North America. It is rewarding, unforgettable—and absolutely authentic.

Experience Duration: Approximately 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This fireman experience is $2,000.

Diesel Engine Experience

Power. Precision. Performance

The moment you settle into the engineer’s seat, you’ll understand why generations of railroaders have respected the diesel locomotive.

Turn the controls, release thousands of horsepower, and feel the locomotive come alive beneath you as tons of steel respond to your every command. The deep rumble of the prime mover, the unmistakable blast of the air horn, and the steady pull of the train combine to create an experience unlike anything else.

This isn’t about speed.

It’s about commanding raw power with precision.

As the rails stretch endlessly ahead, you’ll guide hundreds of tons of locomotive and passenger cars across the Canadian Prairies, learning firsthand what it takes to operate one of the most dependable and iconic machines ever built.

Every throttle movement matters.

Every brake application requires skill.

Every crossing, every signal, and every mile reminds you that railroading is equal parts power, responsibility, and craftsmanship.

Working alongside our experienced locomotive crew, you’ll learn about the systems, procedures, and techniques that keep the Prairie Dog Central Railway moving safely while experiencing the pride that comes with operating a true railway locomotive.

Whether you’re a lifelong railway enthusiast or someone searching for the ultimate bucket-list adventure, this is your opportunity to sit where few ever will.

Feel the power.
Command the machine.
Become the engineer.

This is a four-hour experience, with classroom preparation and an expected three hours on the tracks. Must have a valid driver’s license and be medically fit(proof may be required)

1 Person Experience or 2 Person Experience; the overall time is the same, and driving time is split.

This exclusive experience is $2,250 for 1 person and $3,500 for 2 people.

Uniforms to be provided; you’ll need steel-toe footwear and certified eye protection

Drive a Living Legend

It’s not a bucket-list item… it’s THE BUCKET.

There are experiences you remember.

Then there are experiences that define a lifetime.

This is one of them.

Step into the cab of the Prairie Dog Central Railway’s legendary Steam Engine #3, built by Dübs & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1882, and become part of a story that has been unfolding for well over a century.

Feel the warmth radiating from the firebox. Hear the rhythmic beat of the exhaust echo across the Canadian Prairies. Smell the coal, the steam, and the oil that have powered railways for generations.

Then place your hand on the throttle.

Under the guidance of our experienced locomotive crew, you’ll do what only a privileged few have ever had the opportunity to do—drive a living, breathing piece of Canadian railway history.

Every movement of the throttle brings thousands of pounds of steel to life. Every mile travelled connects you to the engineers who built communities, crossed frontiers, and helped shape North America.

This isn’t a simulator.

This isn’t a museum exhibit.

This is the real thing.

The sights, the sounds, the heat, the responsibility, and the overwhelming feeling of commanding one of the oldest operating steam locomotives in North America create an experience that simply cannot be replicated.

When the journey is over, you’ll step down from the cab with more than incredible photographs and unforgettable memories.

You’ll leave knowing you’ve lived a dream that most people only ever imagine.

For one extraordinary day…
You won’t just ride history.
You’ll drive it.

This is a four-hour experience, with classroom preparation and an expected three hours on the tracks.

Must have a valid driver’s license and be medically fit (proof may be required)

1 Person Experience or 2 Person Experience; the overall time is the same, and driving time is split.

This exclusive experience is $3,500 for 1 person and $6,000 for 2 people.

Uniforms to be provided; you’ll need steel-toe footwear and certified eye protection.

Share the Experience

Some moments are simply too special to experience alone.

Bring your family, friends, or colleagues along as they become part of your once-in-a-lifetime adventure aboard our exclusive VIP Caboose, built in 1912 and comfortably accommodating up to 12 guests.

As you take the throttle and fulfill a true bucket-list dream, your guests will enjoy a front-row seat to history, travelling in a beautifully restored piece of railway heritage while watching your unforgettable journey unfold.

Laugh together. Celebrate together. Capture every incredible moment together.

Because the greatest adventures aren’t just about the destination—they’re about the people who share them with you.

Turn your bucket-list experience into a memory your entire family will treasure for generations.

The celebration with your loved ones includes an all-inclusive snack experience, gift bags and photographs that will be shared until the end of time.

This exclusive Caboose experience is $1,200 for 1 to 12 guests or any number in between, with no cost per person or reduced cost based upon less than 12.