Your chance to operate one of GSRM's diesel locomotives.

Take the Throttle Day is the first Saturday in August between the hours of 10a and 4p and it's your chance to operate one of GSRM's historic diesel electric locomotives.

After a safety and operation briefing by a crew member, you'll be able to operate one of the operating locomotives for two round trips on GSRM's active track.

Have your photo taken at the controls as a souvenir to take home if you'd like.

GSRM maintains two operating diesel locomotives:

* NSP4 - a 1940, 600 horsepower Electro-Motive Corporation model SW-1. NSP4 was originally built as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy number 9146. It was last used by Northern States Power at its St Paul High Bridge plant and donated to GSRM by NSP in operating condition. It feature's NSP's trademark mascot "Reddy Kilowatt" on its cab.

* FW1 - a 1954, 1000 horsepower Alco model S-4. FW1 was originally built for the Ford motor company as part of its fleet of locomotives assigned to switching Ford's River Rouge assembly plant. It's Ford road number hasn't been determined yet. FW1 was last used by the University of Minnesota to unload coal hoppers at its Minneapolis Campus steam plant. UofM staff gave it the number "FW1". The locomotive was purchased from the UofM in 2020 for $1.00 plus sales tax.

Choice of locomotive depends on which one is selected by GSRM mechanical staff as the locomotive of the day.

The cost to operate the locomotive during "Take the Throttle Day" is $100 per person wishing to "take the throttle".

** Note ** Admission to ride the caboose train is still FREE this day although donations to offset the operating expenses are welcome, but not required.

"Take the Throttle" tickets are available the day of the event at the depot ticket window.