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 Post subject: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:17 am 
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6000 post engineer
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Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
As some of you may know, two years ago I began volunteering at our local tourist railroad, the New Hope Valley Ry., in Bonsal, NC. My title then was "Assistant to the Junior Engine Wiper's Apprentice," meaning I was most definitely the low man on the totem pole!

Last weekend--without my knowledge--I was being secretly graded on the second of two qualifying runs as I fired the engine during our annual Santa Train trips. I passed.

After two years of hard work, studying, and supervision in the cab, I finally earned my offical "Engine Crew" hat, and became a qualified fireman on our road. I still have lots to learn, and it's still sinking in, but I wanted to share that with my friends here on the boards.

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My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:19 am 
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Chief Engineer
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Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:03 am
Posts: 3501
Location: Burnsland, TN
Cool! Congratulations! I think I would rather not have known that they were grading me. Less pressure that way. :)

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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:53 am 
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Fireman
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Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 11:58 pm
Posts: 420
Location: Lewisville, TX
Congrats!


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:16 am 
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2000 post Engineer

Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 4:41 pm
Posts: 2405
Location: Los Angeles
Congratulations, Steve! 8)


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:29 am 
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1000 post Engineer
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Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2004 2:06 am
Posts: 1648
That's awesome, Steve! If this were the late 1800's, you'd only have something like 8 more years to make it to hogger!


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:29 am 
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Brakeman
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Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:50 pm
Posts: 151
Location: Jacksonville, Florida (Hurricane Alley)
Wonderful, Steve.

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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:25 pm 
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Engineer
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Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:16 am
Posts: 881
Location: San Diego
Congrats Steve!


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:49 pm 
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6000 post engineer
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Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Thanks, everyone!

Michael, I'm probably looking at another 5 years--although they let me run the engine light around the yard every once in a while.

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Steve

My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:18 pm 
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3000 post Engineer
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Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:17 am
Posts: 3815
Location: San Jose, California
Congratulations Steve! :)

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- Thurl Ravenscroft 1914-2005 -

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 Post subject: Re: I made it!
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:32 pm 
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Engineer
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Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:55 pm
Posts: 846
Location: San Jose, California
Congradulations! :D

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