"Now imagine yourself as a student engineer that is not quite familiar with the braking ratio of the train and having a moment where you must react immediately and react properly."
That was the point I was trying to make. It looks like other places have set up successful "Run a loco" programs though and the possibility could be explored. I still don't like the idea of using one of the rod engines or shays for a program like this at CRRM, the grades are too steep, the curves too tight, and there are lost of people about. Also there is the expense of fireing up a steam loco and the fact that you will be burning flue time(pardon the pun). How about a rent a popcar, or run PeeWee with a short train. Running a popcar around the CRRM loop would be fun, cheap, easy to control, and easy to monitor(read safe). Say $20 for two laps of the CRRM in a popcar. Goose 6 would be a blast too.
Paul