Fellow members of the Forum,

Whom do you know, particularly on the East Coast, that will educate and certify engineers to operate steam locomotives? Specifically, experienced engineers who are certified to operate diesel locomotives on their home road who, by virtue of seniority, may be called to operate a steam locomotive on their home road.

I appreciate your time and information.

Don Fisher
n2qhvRMLI


http://www.rmli.org
n2qhv@arrl.net

> Fellow members of the Forum,

> Whom do you know, particularly on the East
> Coast, that will educate and certify
> engineers to operate steam locomotives?
> Specifically, experienced engineers who are
> certified to operate diesel locomotives on
> their home road who, by virtue of seniority,
> may be called to operate a steam locomotive
> on their home road.

> I appreciate your time and information.

> Don Fisher
> n2qhvRMLI

Don:

Every railroad issues its own license to its engineers. ThereÂ’s certainly some standards contained in 49 CFR regarding engineer certification but its pretty much up to each road to determine whoÂ’s qualified. ThereÂ’s no equivalent to the DMV for locomotive engineers.

My apologies in advance if IÂ’m reading some connotation in your inquiry thatÂ’s not there, but it sounds like you think that a modern engineer (whoÂ’s probably not operated anything older than 2nd generation power) could sit through some cursory review and take a spin and be good to goÂ…Its simply not feasible.

From a technical perspective, Not a chance. Running a steam engine is a totally different experience than a diesel. True, train handling is train handling but..comparing a dynamic brake equipped SD-40-2 to a airbrake (pressure maintaining 26, hopefully) only steamer requires different knowledge. Its as different as an ammeter and a pressure guage. Keep in mind that the engineer MUST also be able to fire an engine since (at least on NORAC) everybody employed upon the engine is subject to the engineer's instruction.

From an economic & (mostly)legal perspective, there isnÂ’t anybody whoÂ’s going to lend some sort of general certification to run steam in this day and ageÂ…no way to justify the risk.



superheater@rrmail.com