024: Rikki Burchett

Firewoman and engineer Rikki talks about being part of 'The Lone Ranger' movie crew, working on steam locomotives big and small, and her advice with connecting to a tourist railroad. This episode is sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.  Visit their website to see their 2015 Summer Mainline Excursion schedule and book your tickets today! News Amtrak is selling parts from their retired AEM-7 locomotives. Is there something you'd like to buy? http://www.ebay.com/usr/amtrakofficial TTX Company of Chicago, Illinois has donated RTTX No. 150643 flat car to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s collection.  Built in February 1965 at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s Johnstown, Pennsylvania car building plant, it has accumulated over 3.7 million miles in service. Rikki Burchett Interview (4:28) Rikki fired her first steam locomotive at the age of 12 on the Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum's #15.  She eventually worked her way up to engineer and has also crewed on locomotives such as Southern Pacific 4449 and Union Pacific 844.  She shares her experience working with steam, being part of the crew for 'The Lone Ranger' movie, and connecting to a tourist railroad. Question of the Day (35:37) With summer halfway over, what have you accomplished, and what are you looking forward to?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on iTunes, Join our Newsletter, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House!