A completely hypothetical question for you hardcore railfans and railroaders out there. How difficult/how long would it take to get a license or the needed qualification/experience to operate a steam locomotive? Where would one go to do something like this?
And another slightly unrelated question. Does NS still have any employees still qualified to operate a steam locomotive? I just remember seeing pictures of the 611 crew from '94 and some of them looked quite young, granted that was 13 years ago.
Thanks, I’ve been a long time lurker first time poster.
Good question - I suspect that there are as many paths to steam engineer qualification these days are there are steam locomotives. Paths will depend on whether the railroad in question is insular (isolated) or connected to the FRA system. Since many steam operators are tourist lines with volunteers being an important source of labor - start by volunteering at the nearest one and learn their specific requirements. Expect to spend time in the left hand seat as a fireman on the way.
Don’t forget about smaller-scale operations, say 15-16" gauge, at a zoo or amusement park, for example. The basics of steam are the same (keep the crown sheet covered), just the parts are smaller, lighter, and probably easier to work on. Some people work on the little ones and the big ones. The little ones are more likely to get used these days, so the experience would be gained faster.
To be truly qualified to engineer a steam locomotive, you really ought to be qualified to fire one first. The fireman works under and for the engineer, and the engineer must be fully capable of supervising and instructing the fireman. Your best bet might be as a volunteer fireman on a non-profit or tourist road. The only steam engineer with whom I’ve discussed this issue in any depth got his start as a fireman on the 36-inch gauge steam locomotives at Dollywood in Tennessee.
The NS to my knowledge does not certify anyone on steam locomotives.
When the NS ran steam excursions they had a steam qualified Engineer that was with the program,and used a Engineer qualified on the territory to “pilot” that person,along with a local roadforeman on the headend.
I missed being used as a pilot on the 611 by one position in Williamson,WVa once [:(] . Then I had to follow the 611 all the way down the road while MOW checked things out behind it.
Now the only person that was former N&W that was in fact steam qualified,that I know of works the ID’s from Portsmouth,Ohio to Bluefield,WVa.I’ve always called him “Dyno Don”.
He is 72 or 73 years old and has over 50 years of service,starting out at age 16 at Kenova,WVa as a bagboy.He was then hired as a fireman then promoted to Engineer.
I would guess he was qualified in the mid to late 50’s as an Engineer.He can tell some great stories.And he is still an on the toes Engineer who knows how to run the wheels off a train ![8D]