Re: Becoming an engineer or fireman

This post brought to mind a bunch of conversations I had with a fellow named Anderson (RC, you out there?) a while back. He talked about wanting to start something like an Explorers post with the intent of providing a formal framework for kids interested in railroading in general and steam railroading in particular. He's been a busy fellow, so I don't know how far he's gotten (if any) beyond the "wouldn't it be nice" stage.
IMHO: starting people out when they are young, and getting their attention before they get caught up in the "real world" of work and bills and raising kids, etc. is very desirable... but I'm sure that there are people in the insurance and regulatory biz who will probably disagree, (As well as those who would rather concentrate their efforts on attracting older, more affluent, less boisterous, "newbies")
The suggestion made of volunteering around the shop is a good one, if the museum will allow it (sometimes, unfortunately, they are severly limited on what minors can be allowed to do, due to Insurance, FRA, or OSHA regs. Take it as an early lesson, often life just ain't fair....) Call, or better yet, visit you local museum, and ask to talk to someone about volunteering, they may welcome you with open arms, or you may have to wait until you turn 18 to become an official intern/volunteer.
Another option to learn about steam is in the smaller park and ride on gauges, there are many club tracks around the country, some are very good, some openly hostile, and some which may say you're welcome, but insist you "pay your dues" by working MoW for an indefinite period (aka: 10 years hard labor on the rock pile " /> ).
Although not railroad, sometimes antique farm machinery clubs have "steam schools", and/or informal apprenticeships where you can learn the basics of firing and operating steam powered machinery (stationary, portable and steam tractors). Okay, so you won't get to wave to the pretty girls as you roar past, but you'll get a chance to shovel coal, rake ashes, "punch flues" (clean the firetubes with a long brush), run the injector, blow the whistle, and generally get tired, sweaty and completely filthy " />
While I'm blathering, I'll make one more suggestion to you....READ! Read everything that you can lay your hands on, histories, biographies, technical stuff, rulebooks, etc... not simply to show off what you read, and become a "smart aleck", but more that if/when the opportunity to use that knowlege presents itself, you will be prepared for it. Besides, no knowlege is ever wasted, maybe you'll find you really were born to be an engineer (of the designing kind).