The Iron Horse Rail Camp will be held at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City from June 6 through June 9. The camp is focused on participants having a maximum hands-on experience operating two vintage motorcars: 1926 Edwards and 1910 McKeen (the only operating McKeen car). Ex V&T locomotive 25, a 1905 Baldwin 4-6-0 will be used for hands-on instruction in both firing and engineering. The camp is limited to 8 participants in order to ensure plenty of individual time on each piece of equipment. When not operating the equipment, the participants will be instructed in various other railroad skills such as brakeman, conductor and locomotive hostler. Breakfast, lunch and a banquet dinner are included. For more information go to the Friend's website at http://www.nsrm-friends.org. This is the fifth time the camp has been held and past participant reviews have been universally positive. You must be 18 and have a valid drivers license to participate. The camp is currently 50% booked by previous participants.

It is a shame that this has to be relegated to Railfanning. Of course it's also sad that the primary purpose is indeed entertainment rather than training a cadre...

With respect to the previous post, I must disagree. There is some degree of intent on the host that a percentage of entrants would later choose to dedicate their time to a worthwhile organization.

To say that this offer is merely for pleasure does them a disservice. I know Bill personally and consider him a friend. His words here are heartfelt.

As the song goes, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down..."

These are kids. You need some entertainment to keep their attention. The ones who want to will go for the nuts and bolts.

Phil Mulligan

The camp only has two more openings. The camp is designed for people who would like hands on railroad experience but have limited time or location restrictions. Four of the eight spots are taken by previous attendees which, we feel, is a positive testimonial to the program's mission. Participants will be tired and dirty by the end of each day and will get plenty of on the ground and in the cab time. If you would like more information, please go to the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum's website at http://www.nsrm-friends.org.

All the openings at the camp have been filled.