Lon "Junior" Venters and Hargis Harris, well I guess because I personally know them, and we've attended several train shows around the country together.
They have many, many stories to tell concerning running and firing C&O Locomotives in the Appalachian Mountains, as well as the flat lands of Ohio and Michigan.
Above all they are good Christian Gentlemen, and Family men. One thing that I've heard Junior say is that " if you ain't got family, you ain't got *@it"
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O. P. Orr. 
Bill Purdie and Frank Collins...
I love this video of Frank Collins - it shows how smooth the man was and comfortable with the engine. I also love when they water down the floor of the cab Frank lifts those signature shined cowboy boots up not to get wet! LOL.
Ahh yes Frank Collins...the man was amazing. He knew exactly what he was doing with the 611 and the 1218. Good thing Dwight didn't get those boots wet.... Frank would of put em' somewhere colorful....
Without taking anything away from those veterans/legends mentioned above.
In this day and age, this won wins hands down. More rare than the locomotive shes runnin'.
JF Penca sr.....New York Central.......without him there would not have been conrail john !
Rick who is that little girl and where is she running that engine! She appears to know her stuff. Did you check out that reverser!............................Brandy!
Chris where is Frank now? I met him long time ago when the 1218 came thru Kenova, West Virginia doing excursions. He was a nice friendly fella, as well as, appeared to be an excellent Steam Locomotive Engineer.
Rick who is that little girl and where is she running that engine! She appears to know her stuff. Did you check out that reverser!............................Brandy!
Her name is Rikki. Here is video of her taking the firemans seat in UP 844 at speed. Hot water knows more, I believe he was in the cab(firing?) on this ride. She does indeed know her stuff.
Go to the 10:12 mark.
Chris where is Frank now? I met him long time ago when the 1218 came thru Kenova, West Virginia doing excursions. He was a nice friendly fella, as well as, appeared to be an excellent Steam Locomotive Engineer.
Frank retired in 1988 I believe....and sadly passed away not too long after that...cancer I think. Frank was indeed a very kind person and was a N&W man, Radford division If I remember correctly and worked steam back in the day. Frank could play that Hancock on the 611 like a fine musical instrument not to mention the hooter on the 1218. Frank did some mighty fine running in the 611, especially on the trip up to Buffalo. I hope he is still doing some great running from above.
My personal favorites, because I have ridden the trains while they have run them. Also, these gentlemen have proven themselves over the years to be not only great guys, but also very knowledgeable about steam locomotives and railroading: Robert Claytor (NS), Frank Collins (NS), Steve Lee (UP), Bob Krieger (UP), Ross Rowland (614), Artie Barkley (Cass Scenic), Danny Seldomridge (Cass Scenic), Tom Stephens (FWRHS), and Rich Melvin (FWRHS). I'm surprised no one has said that last guy yet.
My Favorite.......Raymond Malone of Weston WV......my great Grandfather.
Never met him. He passed a few years before I was born. But I have a fair amount of written history on him. He had one job....with the B&O railroad. He kinda exaggerated his age to get hired on. worked over 30 years a an engineer.....spending most of his days around Weston WV and Richwood WV. How I wish I could have ridden with him one time or sat and talked trains. I really feel he is partly why I love trains so much....it's the only job he had or ever wanted.
I do envy our own Rich....and I have ridden behind him! Being the engineer on 765 would be thrilling and just a little intimidating for me.....I need to also add my sister as she has ridden in 765's cab and sat in THE seat.
Yes indeed, Rich for sure. 
Let's also not forget Doyle McCormack...and speaking of 611 I'm also tossing in Bob Saxtan....
Nothing against Rich, mind you. We probably have more miles in behind Tim Sposato, and he's mighty smooth at handling steam.
Thanks for jogging my memory there " Standard Gauge ", I'd completely forgotten about Artie and Danny at Cass, as they both have let me ride in the cab, to the top and back down. I also actually sat and had dinner with Mr. Rowland in down town Huntington, Wva when he was doing the so called testing with the C&O 614. All of the gentlemen were very knowledgable, and could improve anyone's intelligence on Steam Locomotive Operation, as well as, maintaining so said equipment............Brandy
Dick Graham of PRR Lines West...who had a love affair with #5500, and got #44 up to speeds you would not believe !
From what I read online, Rikki (last name Burchett) was the engineer in the movie "The Lone Ranger", pretty fine accomplishment for anyone I'd say 
From what I read online, Rikki (last name Burchett) was the engineer in the movie "The Lone Ranger", pretty fine accomplishment for anyone I'd say
Hold it. I didn't think they used ANY actual steam locomotives in The Lone Ranger.
That's what I read (so it must be true ). I never saw the movie so I really can't say but she is credited for being the train engineer on imdb:
The late John Riddle, former C&O engineer, Trainmaster and ultimately Division Superintendent on the Ohio Division of the C&O out of Columbus, Ohio.
John ran the 765 many times in the 80's and early 90's. He had forgotten more about running steam than I know. Smooth, professional in every way and a very nice guy to boot.
I miss him...
From what I read online, Rikki (last name Burchett) was the engineer in the movie "The Lone Ranger", pretty fine accomplishment for anyone I'd say
Hold it. I didn't think they used ANY actual steam locomotives in The Lone Ranger.
...well...no...but somebody had to be operating the diesel that pushed the fake steam locomotive and train around, right?
Yes....an engineer is an engineer......diesel, steam, electric or whatever!
The late Charlie Katchel, a Reading steam guy who ran #2102 on the Blue Mountain and Reading. I only met him once, but the more I learn about him the more I admire him.
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