Train Enngines

Hi this is a problem that I have not read about before. It may be all in my head but here it is:
My husband is a train engineer. That's right, he drives the train. He invited me to do a ride along with him in the engine last Saturday night. It was great fun for about the first hour or so. I began to get light headed and was having some problems with feeling tired. It was late and past my bedtime so I thought it might be just that I was sleepy. Then my heart began to do it's filp flop bouncing all the place thing. I felt that I was in trouble. I looked around the engine and could read the warnings about very high voltage! My husband quickly took the engine we were in, "off line" and my heart resumed normal rhythm. Thank goodness he had 4 other engines to use for power or I would have been looking for another ride!
Does anyone know anymore than I do about riding in a train engine? Can anyone enlighten me about this? I sure would like to know if it is just my imagination acting up or could it be more of a problem.
Thank you in advance for your comments, ideas or suggestions, pacergirl

6 Comments

Train Engine

by SMITTY - 2007-04-22 11:04:52

Pacergirl,

I doubt very seriously that you were imagining anything. The diesel-electric engines create a strong electromagnetic field and it could very well have been playing havoc with your pacemaker. I doubt that any permanent damage was done, but considering why you have a pacemaker to start with I suggest you talk to the doctor that implanted the PM soon. He may want to check out the PM just to be certain.

What happened to you is the same thing PM wearers run into when they are in close proximity to electric welders. You might want to get some of the information on “electromagnetic field effect on a pacemaker” that is available on one of the search engines such as ask.com or google.com. If you have difficulty understanding what they are saying, I’m sure your husband, being a train engineer, can help you.

Hope you enjoyed the ride.

Smitty

Trains and Planes

by Peter.Nash - 2007-04-23 03:04:23

Hello Susan.
I hope when you come to see me next month here in the Uk..you are coming by plane and not the train!!!! we have a lot of ground to cover.....once you are here... NO TRAIN ENGINES lots of waliking to keep you fit!!
I'm sure T doesn't want a busmans holiday!!!!
See you soon take care Peter.

Thanks

by Suze - 2007-04-23 06:04:14

Thanks, Smitty, for the specific information..... I WILL take my train ride. I've done it many times in the past and always enjoyed it.

Pacergirl, I've always been fascinated by trains. I think it's really cool you got a chance to ride up in the engine!

Have a good week,

Suze

Interesting

by Suze - 2007-04-23 09:04:59

This is interesting to me, pacergirl.

I am taking a train for a 6 hour trip to Chicago next month.
I assume your problem was only because you were actually IN the engine? Has anyone been on a train ride since having a PM implanted?
I thought it would be easier than flying. I'm having second thoughts. I may just drive!

Suze

Train Ride

by SMITTY - 2007-04-23 10:04:54

Suze,
Go ahead and take your train trip. In the train engine where Pacergirl was riding she was close to the big electric generators that provide power for the train's motors and I think that is what caused her poblem. You will not be close enough (need to be within a few feet) to the generator when riding in a passanger car for it to cause you any harm.
Anyway, an airplane also has electric generators that provide electric power for the plane. While these are not as big as the ones on a train, you would problably be closer to it (or them) than the ones on a train.
Electric generators are everywhere so avoiding them all is not an option that we have. We just have to be aware of our situation and notice when something is amiss.
So, go ahead and enjoy your trip.
Smitty

Thank you everyone for your comments

by pacergirl - 2007-04-23 11:04:09

Hello! ;-)
Just A few things,
I was in the actual train engine. It was fantastic until I could hardly breath I was so tired ;-(

I have traveled by train many times before, however never in the engine.

I am looking forward to our trip to the UK to meet Peter and Nina and I don't believe we will have any problems with the travel arrangements.

I just wished to say thank you to Smitty, Peter and Suze for taking the time to respond. Very kind of you and very helpful information as well.

Take care, and thanks again, Susan/pacergirl

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.