Q&A for How to Drive a Steam Locomotive

The Wreck of the Old 97 was a rail disaster in 1903, caused by excessive speed, it resulted in the train being catastrophically derailed off a bridge which killed 11 and injured 7.

That all depends on when the operator is informed, or sees said car. Trains can take up to a mile to stop, if the car is demolished, and less than a mile notice of said car. Given a notice within 2-3 miles of the car on the tracks, it should be able to stop. If your car stalls on a train track, leave your vehicle, and call 911.

No, the engineer is in the very first car, the locomotive. If there is another in the rear, to help the lead locomotive, there is probably another engineer there. They, however, would not be driving, only maintaining the amount of force required by the extra power needed to move the train forward.

The training requirements for railroad engineers are: Railroad engineers typically begin as brakemen or conductors and earn promotion through experience and training. Candidates for advancement into an engineer position must be 21 or older, have a high school diploma and complete an engineer training program. Most railroads offer federally-approved training programs that combine on-the-job and classroom instruction. Candidates may also seek formal education through a professional organization or community college which offers an associate's degree or certificate in railroad operations.

Depends on your country, but typically most train drivers (steam, diesel, and electric) are trained for about 2 years before becoming fully-qualified train drivers.

The engineer is in charge of driving the train. The train conductor, who is normally associated with driving the train, is actually in charge of organizing the crew aboard the train and has little to do with actual operations.