How long is the session?

Each throttle time session lasts approximately 30 minutes on the locomotive.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be 18 years or older to take part in the throttle time experience.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

No—this event is not wheelchair accessible and requires participants to climb into the cab under their own strength.

What clothing or footwear is required?

Closed‑toe shoes are mandatory; wear clothes you don’t mind getting coal dust on and avoid loose items that could catch on equipment.

How many people can participate at once?

Sessions are limited to a maximum of two people per scheduled time to maintain safety and focus.

Do I need prior experience operating locomotives?

No prior locomotive experience is required—organizers provide a safety briefing and training specific to the session.

Steam Throttle Time Aboard Jeddo Coal Company #85 — Hands-On Steam Experience in New Haven, Kentucky

Stand in the cab of Jeddo Coal Company #85, a coal‑fired steam locomotive, and for thirty minutes you trade the spectator’s view for the tactile command of an engine that once moved coal and communities across Kentucky. Located in New Haven, Kentucky, this Steam Throttle Time places you at the throttle and injector of a living piece of industrial history. The experience is short—30 minutes—but immediate: hot brass, the boiler’s low roar, the clack of connecting rods and the hiss of steam when the throttle opens. #85’s cab exposes the boiler face, pressure gauges, steam pipes and the coal tender directly behind you. Participants climb into the cab under their own strength, don required closed‑toe shoes, sign a liability waiver, and complete a brief safety orientation before taking control. Sessions are limited to two people at a time, a physical, high-focus hands‑on window into how steam motive power translates human input into motion along rails. Why book it? For anyone intrigued by mechanical systems, railway history, or visceral, analog experiences, this is rare access. Unlike a passive museum tour, throttle time asks you to manage heat, pressure and motion in real time. The smell of burning coal, the tactile feedback of the regulator and the sight of valve gear moving under load make for memorable storytelling and a visceral sense of the labor that powered regional industry. Practical details: the session is $150 per person, minimum age 18, and takes about thirty minutes on the locomotive. Participants must be able to climb and wear closed‑toe shoes; organizers provide training and a rules briefing. The event is not wheelchair accessible. Given the compact time frame, arrive alert and prepared to focus—this is short, intense engagement rather than a relaxed ride. New Haven sits in rural Kentucky where rail corridors and quarrying histories shape the landscape; this locomotive preserves that industrial character in mechanical form. Photo opportunities center on the cab interior, the blackened boiler face, and the coal tender under open sky—stay downwind when photographing to avoid steam and coal dust. Safety and stewardship matter: operators require waivers and a safety briefing to protect both visitors and the vintage equipment. Respect the machinery, follow instructions, and you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the physicality of steam era railroading and an unforgettable half hour at the controls of Jeddo Coal Company #85. Expect to smell creosote and coal smoke on clothing, and plan a flexible schedule—sessions run by appointment and groups are limited to preserve the equipment. If weather is wet, surfaces in and around the cab can be slippery; organizers may reschedule for safety. Bring a notepad to record procedures you learn—drivers often share tips you won't find in books.

About Kentucky Railway Museum

Kentucky Railway Museum, located in New Haven, Kentucky, preserves and operates historic train excursions along the L&N Historic Lebanon Branch. The museum offers a wide range of passenger experiences that showcase vintage rail travel and family-focused special events. Popular scheduled rides include one-hour Summer Weekday Train Rides to Boston, a 45-minute Weekend/Weekday Train Ride to Gethsemane that passes the Log Still Distillery, and themed seasonal journeys such as the Autumn Express and The Outlaw Express, a 90-minute Wild West–style adventure.

Holiday programs include the North Pole Express, a one-hour trip to pick up Santa, and private-car Santa Express voyages lasting 1.5 hours with up to 10 guests. Dining-focused outings are available, including the Luncheon Train, which requires reservations, and Mystery on the Rails, which pairs a pre-ride dinner with an interactive whodunit. The museum also hosts Special Event Birthday Parties aboard vintage cars for memorable celebrations.

Each experience emphasizes family-friendly entertainment, scenic Kentucky countryside views, and photo opportunities. Reservations are encouraged for many excursions; private-car options accommodate small groups. The museum’s schedule mixes standard seasonal services and special events to suit visitors of all ages. Visitors travel aboard restored equipment on historic track segments and enjoy trained staff and volunteers who operate public programs. Kentucky Railway Museum combines living-history rail preservation with accessible tourism, making it a trusted destination for locals and visitors seeking unique train rides and themed adventures. The museum’s offerings include accessible seating options and clear visitor information to support comfortable, well-planned trips for guests.