Christmas came early to the Museum on Saturday, December 18, 2010 when we transported one of the former Long Island Rail Road Cab Simulators from their Hillside Support Facility to our Riverhead Museum grounds. The Simulator was originally used by the LIRR for training new locomotive engineers by recreating life-like situations on the railroad before they were able to take trains on the mainline. The GP-38 was replaced by of new technology and equipment (DE-30 and DM-30 diesel locomotives) that is more modern and efficient for the purpose of training crews on the current LIRR fleet of locomotives.
The simulator has been restored by members of the Museum and includes a flat screen monitor in the engineer’s window with seats and controls to allow guests to operate a TRAINZ Simulator package developed by RMLI volunteer John DeAngelo. John’s program allows the visitor to operate a GP-38 locomotive from Greenport station to Riverhead station in real time. The ride has stops in Southold and Mattituck, just like the real thing! A scanner has been installed so you can hear all the chatter on LIRR radio frequencies while you are in the cab. We will soon install a 12 volt compressor/air horn and a manual locomotive bell to make this a fully interactive exhibit. The cab has also become a great photo opportunity for families to have photos in the cab of a locomotive.
The Museum is extremely grateful and appreciative to the Long Island Rail Road for recognizing the historical significance of the no longer used simulator and for preserving it for future generations to come and enjoy and learn what it takes to run a locomotive.