The Nevada Northern Railway is a non-profit 501(c) historical
foundation that depends on your memberships, donations, and volunteer time to accomplish its mission.
Join the team that makes it happen - Become a member
Live the dream - Come, work on the railroad with us
Fast Facts
WHAT: We are a volunteer organization. Many of our programs and much of our behind-the-scenes work is done by volunteers.
WHEN: Programs and projects are year-around. Some fly in for a week at a time, others drive in on weekends.
Some volunteer work can be done remotely. Very flexible.
SKILLS: Wide variety of work to do: train operations, machine shop, publicity and creative, restoration.
Perhaps it's time for you to live the dream of work'n on the railroad. We are a non-profit museum operated with extensive help
from volunteers just like you. Volunteers work in many different aspects of the railroad. Here are
some of the most popular:
Railroad Operations - This includes:
Brakemen (or brake-people, to be precise)
Conductors
Firemen (the kind that tend to the fire and boiler management on a steam locomotive, not those
other dedicated people who live to put fires out)
Locomotive engineers
Specialist, such as the steam crane operators
Machinist and Locomotive Maintenance
Restoration - Restoring historical equipment requires sanders, scrapers, painters,
plumbers, upholsters, artist, welders, cleaners, and general handy-people
Hosts and cast members - People to help with special events, such as the
Polar Express, Ghost Train, special event trains, and movie shoots.
Marketing and Promotion - Speakers, writers, graphic artists, email
marketers, web site developers, and related fields
It will probably be easy to find areas where you can help.
Volunteers come from all over the country. Many local residents of
While Pine County help the railroad in countless ways. Other volunteers
drive, some over 1000 miles, for a long weekend of work and fun on the railroad.
A few fly in from across the country to be here and participate in our
operations several times each year. Volunteer crew members who come from
afar can stay overnight for free in the bunkhouse. For those who can not
travel here as often, there are also ways to help from
your home.
Train Operations Volunteers
We are most often asked about train crew operations. Yes, you can
start as a volunteer apprentice brakeman and end up as a full-fledged steam
locomotive engineer. That is exactly how all of our volunteer engineers
got to be where they are today. The museum has a training program that will mesh your desires with the museums needs.
The starting point of this program is for you to communicate your goals in writing to us indicating what program you want to join.
The programs are as follows:
Steam program. This program will train individuals whose goal is to become a steam locomotive engineer. The progression steps are rear brakeman, hostler, head brakeman, student fireman, fireman, student engineer, and finally engineer. You will first complete the brakeman program (see below) before starting this program.
Diesel Program. This program will train individuals whose goal is to become a diesel locomotive engineer. The progression steps are rear brakeman, hostler, head brakeman, student engineer, and finally engineer. You will first complete the
brakeman program (see below) before starting this program.
Conductor Program. This program will train individuals whose goal is to become a conductor. The progression steps are rear brakeman, head brakeman, student conductor, and finally conductor. You will first complete the
brakeman program (see below) before starting this program.
Brakeman Program. This is the entry-level position to all of the train crew positions. To begin this program you must be a current member of the museum.
The common thread
thought all of these programs is you must be a member of the museum, pass a DOT physical,
be able to devote the time, pass written and practical proficiency tests to graduate from the program.
The steam program will take a volunteer the most time to complete. For example,
200 hours minimum will be needed as steam firemen before becoming a student engineer.
Another 200 hours minimum of student engineer time is needed before graduating to engineer. The diesel program is 100 hours of cab instruction.
Safety Training Weekend for Volunteers
We encourage all who are interested to reflect on their goals and sign up for the program that you want to participate in.
A great time to start your railroad operations volunteer experience is at one of required Safety Training Weekends.
Safety Training weekends are free to members, and membership starts at $30. Check the schedule below to register. This is a two-day intensive session with classroom and hands-on training.
It is a great learning experience, and the way to start your long-term relationship with the railroad as a
train operations volunteer.
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