Hi,

What does it take to get certified to fire or run a steam locomotive or a even a diesel?

Just curious and it's something I'd like to do one of these days.

Thanks,

Stuart

Frisco 1506
gnufe@apex.net

Hi Stuart;

It depends where you are, and what you *really* want to do.

In our group, all you need to do is to get the hours in volunteering, show aptitude, and listen to others. (that might change, as the Ontario government is getting into anything boiler related with operating certifications) We just run back and forth on a private track.

Last September I was down at the Roaring Camp, and got the "Engineer for a day" package, which was actually fantastic. $95.00, and all the dirt and grease you could want. They let me drive up hill, after the switchback. If you read the thread below, it sounds like Ted will offer the same kind of deal if you are in upper Michigan.

When we were running on CN or CP rails, we would fire, and sometimes drive. CN offered to put some of us through their Diesel course out in Manitoba, but I don't know if that happened. (I moved to New Zealand about then)

Cheers;

John Stewart
Ottawa.

> What does it take to get certified to fire
> or run a steam locomotive or a even a
> diesel?

> Just curious and it's something I'd like to
> do one of these days.



john.stewart@crc.ca

Hi John,

I wasn't thinking of making it a full time job, if that's what ya mean. I've invested to much time in school, not to pusue a career in my chosen profession (manufacturing engineering). It's more or less a hobby and something that I think I would enjoy as I like to get dirty and preserving history is a worthy cause along with educating the public on the past. It's one thing to look at history in a book, but it is a far different thing to actually experience it. I appreciate you taking the time to share. I think its a shame that your American counterparts consider me an outsider and not worthy of taking the time to help me. It's a shame that I have to resort to using guilt to get what I want when seeing as how so few young people take and active interst in the hobby, you'd think they would all be trying to get me to help there respective museums. I've reenacted the Civil WAr and enjoy the old car hobby (pre 1916) and believe that seeing steam run and riding behind it is a better way to experience it than climbing on a static locomotive. It's always nice to here the sounds and smell the oils and byproducts of combustion when around mechanical things and to see them operate in there natural environments. Pretty cool.

Thanks,

Stuart

Frisco 1506
gnufe@apex.net

Stuart;

Now working out crew training from page one since we are going to begin operation for the first time. It is very likely that we will partner with another museum that operates a few miles of track with a similar locomotive now under restoration once it is up and running this summer. You are welcome to come south and join us. I don't know what the course will cost, but it will require several days lodging and covering operating costs for the equiment. Not only firing and running, but braking, rules, running mechanics will all be included. It will no doubt require several weekends to get through the material, amount of practical experience with qualified trainers dependent on aptitude and availability of operating time. Even though our total operation now consists of switching on and off the turntable, we will qualify and plan ahead for eventual off site expansion of operation.

This is a startup offer, gang. Once things get rolling, and the program grows, shop time and other work commitments may be required for admission to the operating crew training program.

Dave in Savannah

lathro19@idt.net

Running a train on U.S. railroads is easier said than done. There are lots of rules that make it extremely complicated and prevent any casual operation except for the "pay for an hour" or so opportunities which give you a brief chance in the seat with someone breathing down your neck.

The rules and regulations for locomotive engineer, which every one must follow, are available online at the Tourist Railway Assocaiton website. There is a wealth of regulatory information there, in fact, on several timly subjects, all of which will give you an insight on the details of the hard road full of training, experience and testing that lays ahead if you want to drive a train. Even being a diesel fireman requires experience and testing and more rules and testing.

http://www.train.org
tjengine@hotmail.com