Also, keep in mind that you can sign up for the SVRy "engineer for the day" program and spend the whole day hostling the locomotive if you like, and then spend the rest of the day at the throttle of the locomotive as you switch the yard and make up your very own freight train. Then that train is yours to run up and down the SVRy mainline until the sun sets.
If you want to learn about steam, the best lessons come from “hands on” experience. This day would be a great experience and a good deal at $600. Check out the web page for details.