Any Steam Engine Pilots out there?

[bigboy4024]

would a fireman work for ya? i am 19 years old and i fire for the western minnesota steam threshers reunions miniature train whle my dad fires and head conducts ex soo line 0-6-0 353. many a day during our four day tractor show i ride there on the firemans seat just watching and lerning from my dad as he sovels coal in to the firebox. my dad 52 really likes doing this the exsperiance i get was just like the old days when steam rueld the rails both my dad and i love getting dirty but i have to tell you it is a hot job sitting there by a hot firebox on a 105farenheit day mayby some oe hels can help out more for ya and i too would like to see a big boy run i have seen 4017 in green bay they are a impressave machenie i supose i got school starting a gain big boy

[Anonymous]

To any of you Engineers out there, anybody ever piloted an old steamer ( open for interpretation lol), and what was the experience like ? I've been reading more about them these days and are growing more fascinated.
It would be nice if somebody could restore one of the Big Boys to former glory, I've seen the one at Steamtown, what an impressive beast.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!