How do you become a Steam Train Driver?

Question

How do you become a Steam Train Driver?

Answer 1

Ok, I am just going to set one thing straight.  I am not sure what railroad harris has heard of recently that still hires firemen (coal stoker) as engineer apprentices, for steam locomotives.  For the BNSF they promote from within and then it is seniority based on who gets into the classes.  Personally I have had a little over a year before I got into the training program.  Some other places on the system it takes about 3-5 years of conductor seniority to be awarded a position in the class.  I am not aware of any steam locomotives that the BNSF still has in working service, though they would probably have other identifying initials than BNSF (more like AT&SF or likewise from another company that they absorbed)

If you are looking on getting into a career in the railroad, just remember that seniority is everything.  If you do not have seniority, then you do not get the good jobs.  If you decide to hire out on the BNSF then look for a terminal that was a former Burlington Northern terminal in order to not have to deal with moving quite so often. (pretty much everything BUT the south-west, as these terminals have a 5 year recall, and you would have to go work in them if they called you back even if you were holding a job at another terminal.)

If you want to be an engineer, then going through conductor training is the first step, then after you have conductor seniority, you can bid on the engineer positions.

Answer 2

Becoming a train driver of any kind is no easy task.

It involves an apprenticeship of at least four years and in some cases five.

You would have to have math as a subject in your final year at school.

Enough to put you off?

Not yet?

Well then, once you feel your self qualified, apply to any railway company for employment as a train driver. Driving steam is usually part of the apprenticeship.

Once qualified as a train driver, electric or diesel, you can apply to a private railway company for a specialized job as a steam locomotive driver, but remember that as part of the apprenticeship you would have had to be a steam locomotive coal stoker first...

Good luck.

Personally, I'd rather do a degree at a University before spending all that time on this sort of career but if that is where you want to go.....

Go for it...

Answer 3

Matt pretty much hit the nail on the head on that one. I don't know what harris is talking about, but disregard everything he said. None of that information is accurate. The only way to become an engineer in the U.S. is to first hire as a conductor and then eventually, whether it be a year or 5 years, you will be sent to engineer school for whatever railroad you hired out on. The only way you could become a Steam Locomotive engineer is if you have had previous experience as a locomotive engineer.

Answer 4

Your wisest bet, would be to approach a Museum Railway.  Then, having done that, go through all of the steps necessary, eg Light-up duty, and PPA (Prepare and Put Away).  

There is alot to know, eg Signals both Hand and Coloured Lights. Exams also need to be passed.

Are you prepared for all of the hard and dirty work involved ?  If not, then do not proceed any further. But if you are, then go for this.

I, myself, am part of the Canterbury Railway Society ( CRS ) at Ferrymead, here in Christchurch, New Zealand.  I  hope that this satisfies your query.

Sincerely yours

Alasdair Wright

[e-mail]

Answer 5

Your best bet would be to find a railroad museum that has operating steam locomotives in its collection. At this day and age, I'm afraid there aren't any railroad companies that operate steam locomotives on a regular basis. All though, Union Pacific might be an exception as thay still have #844 and #3985 in its roster of equipment, but I really don't know how often they operate those old iron horses.

Answer 6

your best bet is to find a railroad meusem.  my dad was an ashcat for the M&SV in the 60's and 70's.  The UP still has some steam as does steamtown in PA.  When i was in japan they were still running steam and so does china.  i rode on one in Yamaguchi perfecture

Answer 7

One thing they dont make steam trains anymore.. most trains in america are diesel/electric..it takes alot of knowledge of water and temperature..and knowing which valve to open and close..Its not like a car.it is very complicated..and it takes hours of preheating the bolier before a steam engine is ready to move..

Answer 8

The only country where steam loco are still widely used is the People's Republic of China, where I believe about 3000 are still in use.  That country probably has plenty of people to train, and in any case they are switching to diesel and electric.  

The alternative is to join your local railway historical club.  If they have a steam loco in going order (an expensive business) then they may need to train someone to drive it.  Currently there are still some people who had some experience left over from the 1960s when steam tailed off in the "western" world.  

You will train as a fireman first, which means looking after the fire - if coal fired and making sure there is enough water and the steam and brake pressures are good.  

Read this - the loco is oil fired so it is probably easier than with a coal fired loco, but it takes a long time to get one going from cold.

http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/hostling.html