Pioneer Tunnel's Hand on the Throttle | Spring 2024

On April 21, 2024 I was back at the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland, PA to operate the Lokie for the second time. It was a true pleasure to operate this locomotive after being part of the team that repainted her, but it was also a joy to see a bunch of my friends get to operate her too. Several of them did so for the first time.

This video covers Friday and Sunday of the Hand on the Throttle event days this spring (Saturday I chased the Reading & Northern RDCs, but ironically got to hear the Lokie's whistle while in Ashland on that chase).

The steam locomotive I operated is the #123 Lehigh Valley Coal Company (formerly #1 Henry Clay), affectionately nicknamed "The Lokie." She's a 0-4-0 saddle tank engine built in 1927 by the Vulcan Iron Works, and she burns locally-mined anthracite coal.

I had a great experience operating The Lokie, and I thank everyone at Pioneer Tunnel for making this event possible. I'll be back again in November for my third time!

A huge thanks to my YouTube friend Collin from ‪@PANortheasternRailfan‬ for filming my run from the cap, and to ‪@JPVideos81‬ for filming me trackside. Also thank you to Reading & Northern's Colin Gipe, ‪@rj78productions88‬ for joining us for your turn to operate the Lokie.

0:00 intro
1:32 prepping the Lokie to run
2:22 Colin Gipe's run
8:25 JP's run
10:57 RJ's run
13:33 Collin's (PA & Northeastern Railfan) run
15:16 my run (cab view)
30:11 my run (trackside)
32:31 end screen

Chasing trains and building models is hard work! You can help me refuel and support my adventures at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jamiemakin