It’s the hottest, dirtiest, noisiest seat available – but enthusiasts are prepared to shell out a train-load of cash for the rare chance to sit in the cabin of a working steam locomotive.
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For the second consecutive year, three cab rides will be auctioned on eBay as part of the activities on offer at Maitland Toyota Steamfest, which will be held on April 13 and 14.
The winning bidders will have the opportunity to sit in the fireman’s chair of the steam locomotive 3642 as it hurtles along at up to 80km/h during the return journey, which starts in Maitland and, depending on the day, with travel to either Branxton or Newcastle.
A frenzy of bidding last year saw one lucky person pay a top price of more than $1100 to secure the privileged position and event organiser Rachel MacLucas expected the auctions to be fiercely contested this time around too.
“Last year’s auction was the number one watched eBay item at the time and we expect similar interest this year,” she said.
“The response was pretty overwhelming; there was a crazy little bidding frenzy going on there for a time.
“Going up the front [of the train] provides a very different perspective to what you get from being in the carriages.
“There’s not a lot of glamour about it, it’s a real gritty experience you get, but it’s very rare these days.”
The first cab ride auction – for a trip between Maitland and Branxton on April 14 – began on Friday, with bids already topping $200 four days before it is scheduled to end.
The second and third auctions will feature trips from Maitland to Newcastle and will begin on March 22 and March 29 respectively.
A fourth train ride is also available – although it is not for sale.
It will be given away as a prize to someone who books and pays by April 4 for any of the excursions on offer during the region’s premier celebration of steam.
“The people who bid on this are looking at this as a unique opportunity – they are enthusiastic about trains, not necessarily train enthusiasts,” Ms MacLucas said.