August 5th - Learn to Drive a Train

On August 5th, the Mid-South Live Steamers hosted our second Learn to Drive a Train Day at the club. This community out reach program invites kids ages 10-18 out to the club to learn about our hobby. Participants first have a safety briefing and learn the basics of steam engines. Afterwards, they take 1-2 laps around the mainline on a member’s electric or diesel locomotive. The idea is to learn engine control and the track before taking on the additional workload of a steam engine. After successfully demonstrating the ability to safely operate on the mainline, the kids hop on a steam engine and run several laps under club member supervision.

Despite rain showers, sun, and heat during a typical summer day in middle TN, we had 16 kids come out to participate! Each kid received an official engineers hat and two joined the club!

A special thank you to Greg Glos, Bill Bryan, Bob Auchenbaugh, Scott Reedy, Brad Malone, Michael Haywood, Brian Reedy, Ryan Malone, TC Poole, and Brady Irwin who donated their time and equipment to the day!