Lori Staely: Park Guide, Steamtown National Historic Site

Now a Park Guide at Steamtown NHS, Lori Staely first started out as a volunteer, working her way up to Fireman and Engineer on the train crew.

NPS Photo

Steamtown National Historic Site recognizes the roles that women have played in the story of American railroading, including one of our own. Lori Staely is a longtime employee of Steamtown NHS and was the first female fireman and engineer to operate steam locomotives at our site. Now a Park Guide, Lori continues to share her passion for trains and educates visitors with firsthand knowledge of how a steam locomotive works. Recently we sat down with Lori to ask her about her career as a fireman and engineer.

1. Lori, what initially brought you to Steamtown National Historic Site?

My husband and I were working for the Gettysburg Railroad at the time, and Steamtown had sent out flyers to all the tourist railroads looking to hire for all positions. So, my husband put in for a locomotive stoker position, applied to the job, and actually got the job interview. We came up for the interview, he got the job, and we moved here to Scranton in 1992.

2. How did you become a fireman and engineer?

I started out as a volunteer here in 1993 for the train crews and the train master at the time asked me if I’d like to learn how to fire a steam locomotive. I was scheduled for training, watched a lot on the engines, and soon started doing a little bit of coal shoveling myself. By the end of ‘93 I was a volunteer fireman and earned my qualifications. I became a paid fireman as a seasonal in the summer of ‘94 and ‘95.

3. How long did it take for you to become an engineer?

To become an engineer it took a few years because you had to have so many hours of experience under your belt as a student engineer. You then had to have three qualified engineers give you a qualification test to see if you were ready to take on the engineer position or not.

4. Do you prefer being an engineer or a fireman?

I liked being a fireman because it was a big challenge, more so than engineering to me. Engineering was a challenge in a sense of applying the breaks properly, but firing was a challenging job all around.

5. What did you find most difficult about the job of a railroader?

Everything! As a fireman, it was watching to make sure that you had the proper water level, the proper steam pressure, and watching the color of the smoke to make sure it was grey. Grey smoke meant that the engine was running efficiently and not burning too much coal. As an engineer it was watching your equipment, looking out at the track ahead, and keeping an eye on your gauges. As a conductor it was the responsibility you held and making sure your passengers were safe. You made sure the equipment was safe and your crew was safe. You had to read and understand every rule. Knowing the track was a big responsibility as well. It was fun, but you really had to keep your mind in order and concentrate on the job you were doing.

6. What was your favorite locomotive to operate here at Steamtown NHS?

Canadian Pacific 2317. To me it was the easiest engine to fire and the easiest engine to run. She was my favorite because she was able to maintain and hold her heat. You could look at the steam gauge and it would show you maybe 170 pounds of pressure, and then you would look into the fire box and see the fire wasn’t even there! It was almost out! So she held her heat very well, and I found her to be the easiest engine to operate. That’s what made CP 2317 my favorite.

7. What do you enjoy most about being a Park Ranger at Steamtown?

Mostly it’s the visitors; being able to talk to them about the history and answer their questions about the trains and how they operate.

8. At one time you had the chance to work with an all-female crew. Can you tell us about that?

Yes. I was the engineer, Jan McDonald was the fireman, and Lucia Petrosky was the conductor. It was an all-female crew that day and we ran the train through the yard just as well as the men! It was an exciting day. We had plenty of people come up and talk to us, you know, and it was very exciting. It was a special experience. Jan and I would often work together up in the cab, but most of the time there was at least one man on the crew.

9. What piece of advice do you have for young girls and women interested in a career in railroading?

They should set a goal and make a plan to get to that goal. Find something you like to do, enjoy it, and enjoy the job. I’m impressed with young people who know what they want to do and work hard to reach their goals.