Railroad man

Two days ago we rode the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. We rode the bus from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM where we boarded our train. Our day was outstanding- perfect weather and the aspen were at the heighth of their color. In spite of the fact that the train has a coal-fired steam engine and spews cinders, we spent most of the time riding on an open platform car.

We rode one train to Osier, the halfway point and lunch stop, and changed trains for the final journey back to Antonito. Allen Noel was our interpreter on the afternoon ride. His tag said "full-time RVer" so I asked him about his position. Allen volunteers for six weeks as a docent on the train. This is his 2nd season. After a week or so of training, docents must pass a test. Because this is a living history museum and the railroad is a state and federal historic site, accuracy is important.

Dick, an RV friend, has taken his RV for several years to one of the two-week work sessions that the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad have each year. The focus is to restore the railroad, its equipment and the line to what it was like around the turn of the century and be historically accurate. Volunteers might work on an old car or do painting and gardening.

Volunteering for this nonprofit railway has only one benefit, according to Allen - a free lunch on the days your work. RVers must pay for their own site in an RV park. See the Friends' website for more information on their volunteer opportunities.

Another friend who was also ranger when I worked for Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska, ended up working at the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for a couple of seasons. Craig was paid to do what Allen does, that is tell passengers about the history and what they are seeing on the train ride. WP/YR is a commercial tourist railway.

If you are a train buff, you can find paid and unpaid opportunities to work on or for a tourist or historical railroad. The sound of the whistle, the steam pouring out the stack, the sound of the wheels against the rails. That's the lure of the railroads and an era mostly gone by. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.