Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum

Car No. 10 Car No. 10


Training

Trolley Car No.10 is back ... On track!


Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, Inc. provides extensive hands-on and "classroom" training for all of our trolley and pump car crewmembers. Our 2008 Training Day is April 19 at 10:30am at the museum. This day is geared for requalifying returning crewmembers, but candidates should attend as well. We will cover safety issues, go over proper operation and care of No. 10 and the pumpcar, and talk about passenger care and methods for telling our guests about the history of No. 10, the SF&C St RY and the Bridge of Flowers. Some time will be available in the afternoon for hands-on requalification and training.

We are looking forward to our upcoming interesting and safe season of hauling passengers back to a quieter time, before Iraq was even a country, before gas stations, even before the invention of the hamburger. It is important that all our volunteers keep safety foremost in mind, and training and rules make doing that much easier.

During the time (1896-1927) that the SF&C St Ry operated, women were not considered to be suitable trolleycar crewmembers. We know better, we have several women on our crew and welcome any others. Since 'motorperson' seems too awkward, we hope you will forgive us if we use the historically correct 'motorman' to refer to both men and women who operate our trolley car. 'Operator' might seem like a good substitute but it has a different meaning, see the Rule Book. Fortunately, 'Conductor' is gender-neutral.

To requalify, please re-read your Rulebook and Policy Manual, then take the appropriate written tests available below for download. You will also need to take a 'Road Test' to demonstrate proper methods of operating the trolley (and/or pump car) and working with passengers. You may take your Road Test with Sam Bartlett, Alden Dreyer or another crew member who has already been requalified. Be sure that whoever gives you your Road Test also checks off the tested skills on your written tests. Please discuss anything you are unclear about with your requalification partner, or Sam Bartlett or Alden Dreyer.

If you wish to qualify as an Operator (see rule 9), please talk with Alden Dreyer or Sam Bartlett. If you can demonstrate competence in preparing the car for service, operating the car solo and putting the car away, you will be qualified as an Operator.

New Candidates: Please read the Rule Book and Policy Manual. Some of the rules may not make sense until you have had some hands-on instruction as well, so read, run, read, until you are comfortable with all aspects of the trolley operation. New candidates are encouraged to come during regular hours to observe other crew as well. Introduce yourself and explain that you are hoping to qualify as a crewmember. If the motorman is willing, you can get some hands-on training under his/her direct supervision. Also watch the conductor to learn that job, and learn the history that the conductors relate to the passengers. Come early to learn the procedures for preparing the car for service and putting it away at the end of the day (there are checklists for this, once you've been through it it is pretty easy). When you feel ready, take the written test, and tell Alden Dreyer or Sam Bartlett when you feel ready for some final hands-on training. Your instructor will let you know when he feels you are qualified. We'll get you keys and a name tag, and you'll be on your way. Most folks can get the hang of the whole job in a few afternoons. Note, however, that the museum officers retain the right to deny qualification to any individual that they feel cannot safely and responsibly carry out the responsibilities of any position.
Please contact us if you are planning to attend Training Day.

The rules are for your safety, the safety of others and the safety of our equipment. The rules must be understood and followed. The policies are to help make the museum operation appealing, educational and attractive. Adherence to policies is encouraged but is at your discretion. For example, if you are a person who just doesn't wear hats, you don't have to wear a conductor's hat. You are not expected to memorize Rules or Policies, but should have a good understanding of both. Keep your Rule Book with you when operating so you can refer to it if needed. Know the line's, car's and museum's history, found in the Transportation Bulletin (available in the store), and elsewhere on this site.

Below is a list of documents (in pdf format unless otherwise indicated) you will need for becoming a qualified crewmember for 2008. Please download the tests for the positions you are interested in, fill them out and bring them back on Training Day or your first operating day:

  • RuleBook Getting this to print is a bit tricky, you can pick up a hardcopy at the museum, but download this to read and study. If you get it to print doublesided and booklet style, you will need to trim down the Rule Book pages, fold it, open it and staple it in the fold to make a pocket sized booklet. Cut on the trim lines, but don't cut down the middle. This is the 2003 version, if you still have a Rulebook from last year you don't need this.
  • Special Orders These modify the Rulebook. Download them and read them, you don't need to print them. Hardcopies are posted in the carbarn, be sure to sign each of them, and check for and initial new Special Orders in the carbarn before reporting for duty each day.
  • The Policy Manual This can just be printed double-sided, folded and stapled.
  • Emergency Volunteer Information sheet This is optional, it is to be used if you personally have an accident or medical emergency. We cannot guarantee any privacy of this material, but we will try to make sure it is only accessed if you need it to be. If you already have one on file, we don't need another unless there is new information.

    • The written tests (below) are open book, please use your book and copy the words directly and exactly, don't guess. Leave the tests in Sam Bartlett's "mailbox" in the office so they can be graded. Discussing the questions with other crew is encouraged, the idea is to gain familiarity with the rules. But please do not just copy someone else's test.

    If you wish to only be qualified as a conductor, you are still expected to pass the Motorman and Conductor written test. Your hands-on training will be simpler if you are only planning to be a conductor. You can always ask to be trained as a motorman later, if you change your mind. To be a Pump Car operator, you need to pass the Motorman and Conductor Test and the Track Car Operator Test.
  • Motorman and Conductor's Test, everyone must pass this test.
  • Track Car Operator's Test, for pump car, trackmobile and speeder operators.
  • Trackmobile Operator's Test, most of you don't need to take this one.
  • Dispatcher's Test (Optional), we typically use Dispatchers only a few times a year.
  • Track Car Occupancy Form, only needed for Dispatcher's Test.

    • Trolley Car No.10 is back ... On track!

    Go to Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum Homepage

    14 Depot Street Shelburne Falls MA 01370        413-625-9443       trolley@sftm.org