“Who is going to keep steam alive in the 21st century? Who are the young guns?” These were the questions asked in Erik G. Ledbetter’s Steam’s young guns from Trains’ May 2006 issue as well as the 2008-aired episode of PBS’ Tracks Ahead. Having had opportunities to cut my teeth in the steam preservation movement on a 2-8-4, 4-6-0 and a couple of tank engines, I too ponder those questions but in a much different light. From the very young series on Trains.com, Young Guns in Preservation, who are steam’s next young guns?
Mark Huber, 28
If the name “Hyce” sounds familiar, chances are you’ve come across Mark Huber’s YouTube channel. Since arriving at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden for engineering, Huber got sucked into the nearby Colorado Railroad Museum initially as a volunteer. Now as his day job, he wears multiple hats in the restoration, maintenance and operation of the museum’s historic equipment, including three locomotives.
On the flip side of the coin, Huber has been producing videos discussing all things railroading on his growing YouTube channel. The videos have helped drive a new wave of railroad preservation volunteers across the country, Huber says, and it goes to show the different avenues in today’s digital age that can benefit the industry. “It’s really exciting with what people are doing at museums and tourist railroads,” he said. “But also the different things that are happening on the digital side.”
Read more in Young Guns in Preservation: Mark Huber (Hyce).
Nick Martin, 18
Digital technology shows there is more to the steam preservation movement than just needle scaling or opening the throttle. As a high school graduate pursuing a career in filmmaking, Nick Martin uses his videography skills to help bring the missions of the non-profit organizations he volunteers at into the public eye. Most notable is Cleveland’s American Steam Railroad Preservation Association that’s restoring Reading Company T-1 No. 2100.
Martin has also put in many hours toward the restoration of the brutish 4-8-4. For him, it’s about gaining additional knowledge after a long day’s work in the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad roundhouse. What he has learned and taken to heart are the challenges facing the industry today that’ll need to be recognized. “It’s survival of the fittest,” Martin explained. “That simple principle of either you adapt, or you don’t make it very far.”
Read more in Young Guns in Preservation: Nick Martin.
Jonathan Smith, 24
In rail preservation, it’s not uncommon for people to wear multiple hats. Jonathan Smith is no stranger to that premise and he has a diverse resume to prove it. Before heading off to college, Smith worked in most of the departments at the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado – from the ticket office to Fireman. Additional experience at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and other tourist railroads ultimately led him to take on a strategic marketing project in college. That project evolved into a paid position at a resurging steam-powered, narrow-gauge railroad in Pennsylvania.
Smith serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the East Broad Top Railroad in Rockhill. However, his multiple skill sets enable him to take on a variety of responsibilities for the railroad’s continual growth. This includes firing the restored 2-8-2 No. 16. Smith encourages anyone to be diverse, but not rush in gaining as much experience and aspects of railway preservation. “Take your time and become someone people can rely on for their work ethic, knowledge, expertise, and responsibility,” he said.
Read more in Young Guns in Preservation: Jonathan Smith.
Aaron Farmer, 29
Remember the earlier mention of cutting my teeth on a few locomotives? Having been a Michigander gave me the opportunity to volunteer for Aaron Farmer and Owosso’s Steam Railroading Institute – home to said 2-8-4 and 4-6-0, Pere Marquette No. 1225 and Chicago & North Western No. 175 respectively. Farmer’s steam vocation began as a volunteer for the non-profit organization, which has now circled back to the position as the Institute’s Master Mechanic of Rolling Stock.
In that full-circle career, he understands there are always opportunities for continual knowledge. Farmer values teamwork, and that goes beyond the Steam Railroading Institute’s young, backshop nucleus that he is a part of. “It seems like a lot of organizations are working closely together,” Farmer explained. “That was always my goal and I hope it’s proven true as sometimes that mentality gets lost on some people and organizations.”
Read more in Young Guns in Preservation: Aaron Farmer.
Ryan Gerhardt, 24
Ryan Gerhardt has taken on multiple management roles on the Chesapeake & Delaware, LLC, and the Black River & Western Railroad in New Jersey. He serves as the Steam Committee Chairman who oversees the maintenance and operation of Great Western 2-8-0 No. 60. Still in his 20s, Gerhardt – like many others in the industry – is part of an ongoing trend of younger individuals heading up leadership roles.
Since becoming a volunteer at the Black River & Western in 2014, he has risen through the ranks by learning and growing through the professional experiences he’s gained along the way. While obtaining resources and connections outside the organization can be challenging for Gerhardt and others his age, it’s still a worthwhile endeavor. “Partnerships are huge because we’re essentially all in this together,” he said. “To network with people, talk, get feedback, and work with each other is huge to survive.”
Read more in Young Guns in Preservation: Ryan Gerhardt.
Of course, these are just five of many young individuals going above and beyond for the preservation of steam railroading. They are out there keeping the history and technology alive while inspiring a new generation of steam’s next young guns to follow suit.
