Too often we ask what it takes to get the younger folks involved in steam railroading. While we attended Train Festival 2011, I took some time to interview crew members of the different locomotives that attended the show.

One of my favorite interviews was the one I held with Rich Melvin of the 765 and his young fireman, Mr. Kelly Lynch. I have known Kelly and Rich for some time as our histories go back to our days at the Ohio Central. It has been fun for me to watch Kelly grow and achieve his dreams. Kelly is not the only one who has done this.

Please take a few minutes and listen to Kelly and Rich explain what it takes to attract and retain the younger people of our industry.

The video is a whole 30 minutes long, but is worth every minute. Indeed, we spend some time looking at some miniature steam, the rest of the video is educational and hopefully, motivational.

http://wrrc.us/2011/08/train-festival-2011/

Very nice, John -thanks for making and sharing this! And thank you to the interviewees!

Stephen