Events, Activities & Services Loon Mountain Guest Train Engineer Program

New Guest Engineer Program on the Steam-Powered J.E. Henry Railway at Loon Mountain

Do you love trains? Are you curious about what it takes to operate a narrow-gauge, wood-fired, steam-powered locomotive? Then Loon's Guest Engineer program is perfectly suited for you.

Loon Mountain's J.E. Henry Railway, with its German-built, 0-4-0T engine, harkens back to the trains commonly found around New England over a century ago. Originally built to burn coal, the engine was retrofitted to burn wood when it came to Loon back in the late 1960s.

The engine runs daily during the winter months, transporting skiers and snowboarders between two of Loon's base areas. The engine burns approximately 60 cord of wood in one season. The train takes about two hours to fire up each morning - just a part of what will be covered in the Guest Engineer program.

The program will be offered one day per month and is open to a maximum of five participants. Each session will run approximately six hours and include:

• A primer on the basics of steam operation
• Safety procedures
• A brief history of Loon's locomotive
• Close-up look at the engine
• Start-up procedures and close down/put away

Each participant will also have an opportunity to operate the engine for a minimum of a half-hour (actual time will be dependent on number of participants).

Pricing and Reservation Information:

Cost per session is $100 per person, and lunch is included. Participants must be at least 18 years old and dress appropriately in long pants, long-sleeved shirt, boots and work gloves. Start time is 9:00 a.m.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Loon Mountain at (603) 745-8111 or 800-229-LOON (5666). Scheduled sessions may be cancelled if minimum participation is not reached.

2011 Guest Engineer Program Dates:

July 8; August 5; September 9; October 7

Guest Engineer Program Photo Gallery & Video

Click a thumbnail image to launch the gallery