Re: Learning to drive steam loco's

[craigd@lios.apana.org.au (C. Dewick)]

In <381ecc58@pink.one.net.au> "Stewart Hughes" <muffman@one.net.au> writes:

>Is there anywhere in Australia that will teach me to drive a steam loco (for
>a price?)

>Stewart

Hi Stewart,

Most preservation groups are always on the lookout for people who would like
to learn the craft of operating steam (and these days also diesel)
locomotives, but many of the larger groups require that you start from the
ground up, often literally, by joining and doing menial tasks before you can
earn some 'street-cred' and then move into other things.

You'd probably be asked to do some track maintenance, etc. and then sometime
later down the path you could move into rollingstock and loco maintenance,
perhaps be a guard/conductor for a time, then eventually move into being a
fireman, and eventually train to be a driver.

With the safety-emphasis that (fortunately) pervades prototype railways
these days, it'd be unlikely that you would be able to go straight into
driving unless you have a fair ammoung of previous experience, but this
depends where you are located and what the people running your local railway
heritage group are like.

It's really a case of asking around, making yourself known to people, and
sharing your ideas (along with being willing to learn from others too). If
you show a genuine interest you will find that people will accept you and
give you the opportunity to learn whatever skills you would like to gain.

Regards,

Craig.
-- 
            Craig Ian Dewick            |       Stand clear - jaws closing
 Send email to craigd@lios.apana.org.au |  Visit my Australian rail transport
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