Program sold out until 2026
If you would like to hold a spot for 2026 please contact us. At this time, we are adding names to a waiting list - no payment or deposit required.
Cost
- $300.00 + 13% HST (subject to annual increase)
Gifting the Program
This makes a great gift or surprise!
- We have a special “Surprise Certificate” that we will email to you with the name of the recipient and who it is gifted from
- Once you have given the surprise, MHP staff will make contact with the recipient and provide them with the sign-off forms, interview details and confirmation
- If a tentative date has been selected, the recipient will ensure that the date selected is satisfactory or select a new one from the availability list
Procedure & Process for Qualification
All Engineer For A Day (EFAD) program applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must produce a valid driver’s license.
Initial Contact
- Contact the Manager for availability and forms
- Due to the high regard for the safety of the crew and passengers and for the protection of the equipment, MHP reserves the right to refuse an application and terminate the program at any time. Pre-booked EFAD's will be refunded in this case.
Program Date Selection
- A tentative program date can be selected at any time from the list of available dates
- A program date will be confirmed, following the interview and when paid in full
- EFAD “sells-out” so be sure to select, pay and confirm a date as soon as possible, in order to secure a spot in the program
The Interview / Confirmation
The applicant will understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions of the program; this can be done by email or telephone.
Study & Training Material
- Once we receive payment, the participant will receive our General Operating Procedures and Expectations (GOPE) which explains the EFAD's role and responsibilities
- A short test will be required on the morning of the program date, based on the GOPE material
- Material questions or program clarification? Contact the Manager at any time
Written Exam & Orientation (location & time of arrival)
- You will receive an email with a map and directions to the MHP Rail Shed Machine Shop at 24 Park Drive, Huntsville
- 10:30 am (steam locomotive)
- 11:00 am (diesel locomotive) program day
- Greg Smith (Chief Engineer) is a qualified diesel or steam locomotive Engineer Instructor
- You will take a brief test on GOPE
- You will be introduced to all employees and volunteers, as they are available throughout the day
- You will have a tour (orientation) of the workplace, including rail shed, washroom facilities, first aid stations and fire extinguisher locations as well as the location of evacuation area (Forbes Hill Drive parking lot)
The Practical Instruction
- Upon passing the GOPE test, the EFAD takes hands-on, one on one instruction of the operation of the train by the Engineer Instructor
- You will learn the fueling and watering process
- You will learn how to read and understand the gauges, terminology and language necessary to communicate with other rail crew
- You will learn how to operate the controls smoothly
- The EFAD will observe the Engineer Instructor for the first run of the day at 12 noon, as the Engineer Instructor demonstrates and explains all aspects of the mechanical process of moving the locomotive and coaches to Fairy Lake Station and back
- Following the first run, the EFAD will take the controls of the locomotive only, and under the strict supervision of the Engineer Instructor, will take the locomotive down the tracks for instruction and practice of point stopping, smoothness of controls and getting familiar with the equipment
- If the Engineer Instructor is confident in the EFAD’s ability to take the controls with coaches and passengers, the EFAD will be given controls to drive for the subsequent runs (all while under the instructor’s direct and close supervision).
- The Engineer Instructor assesses if the EFAD is proficient enough to maneuver the locomotive through coupling, switching or turntable mounting as the day progresses
- If the Engineer Instructor does not feel as though the EFAD is ready to progress, the EFAD will observe subsequent runs until such a time that the Engineer Instructor is confident in the EFAD’s ability
- Note: The EFAD will be under the direct supervision of the Engineer Instructor throughout the entire process and while controlling/operating the locomotive. The EFAD will not be left alone.