OPPOSITE: RailCampers take a break on the running board of Mount Rainier Scenic Rail- road No. 17, formerly of Hammond Lumber Co. ABOVE: Jessica Flemming swings a spike maul as RailCampers learn about railroad maintenance as James Haley looks on. In the background, Tyrus Wood, NRHS counselor Gary Yanko and Melissa Bauer practice their supervisory skills. LEFT: Ex-Polson Brothers 2-8-2 No. 70 is under the skillful control of RailCamper Mitchell Smith-Bauer.
ations. We also had a chance to talk one-on-one with all the employees that help keep the railroad running smooth- ly from behind their desks. The next part of the day, consisting of hands-on work with two amazing me- chanics, Kasey and Kimo, was the most exciting. They gave us so much knowl- edge about locomotives and how to keep them running properly that it was mind boggling. In just a short period of
time, they taught us how to change a brake shoe, check the oil and change it if needed, and adjust the pistons on a GP9. They also gave us a full tour of the EMD veteran. I was able to operate it in the yard under supervision and cou- ple it to another locomotive.
On Wednesday, our focus changed from the world of modern maintenance to the world of historic preservation. We were thrown into the world of train
car restoration, renovation, and reha- bilitation at the Northwest Railway Museum (NRM) in Snoqualmie, Wash. While we were there, we learned how to replace ties. The first step is pulling out the spikes and tie plates. The next step is digging and sliding out the old tie, then sliding in the new one. Finally, to finish the job, the worker must tamp up the tie to set it against the rail, spike it back in place and replace the gravel. Later, we also received an in-depth lesson in coupling and uncoupling a lo- comotive. In order to do this safely, we had to learn many of the hand and lantern signals that allow communica- tion between a man on the ground and the engineer such as “come forward,” “back up,” “stop,” and “I’m going in be- tween the car and the engine.” These are very important for the crew to know because it is a simple way to prevent in- jury. We also learned to operate a switch in the yard and the difference between the restoration, renovation,
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