Experience

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

• Truck Transportation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Train Dispatcher

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  • Direct the movement of trains and on-track maintenance equipment on a 45-mile, single-track with sidings, unsignalled railroad using timetable and track authority operation. A busy day may entail four trains and six maintenance units moving simultaneously. Plan in advance and adjust to changing conditions to ensure safe and efficient meets at sidings and motorcar setouts.• Coordinate mechanical repairs, emergency response, and other unusual happenings between train crews and other departments or outside organizations by radio. The railroad operates mostly within a wilderness area with no cell service.• Monitor all movements and activities and create digital records and daily reports.

• Conductor

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  • Direct the safe operation of a steam-powered passenger train on a 90-mile, twelve-hour round trip through a rugged wilderness area with up to 450 passengers aboard.• Direct the safe movement of the train under timetable and track warrant control, including Rule 99 flag protection from following traffic.• Inspect and test air brakes and other mechanical systems, and make field repairs when necessary.• Supervise up to six train crew employees and ensure compliance with railroad and Federal Railroad Administration rules.• Collect tickets and on-board cash fares and complete company and federal records.• Work safely around, between, and underneath trains to couple and uncouple cars, connect and test air brake systems, set handbrakes, and line switches.

• Brakeman

  • May 2021 - Present

  • Assist in the safe operation of a steam-powered passenger train on a 90-mile, twelve-hour round trip through a rugged wilderness area with up to 450 passengers aboard.• Assist in the safe movement of the train under timetable and track warrant control, including Rule 99 flag protection from following traffic.• Inspect and test air brakes and other mechanical systems, and assist the conductor with field repairs when necessary.• Work safely around, between, and underneath trains to couple and uncouple cars, connect and test air brake systems, set handbrakes, and line switches.



Trains Magazine

• Correspondent

  • 2016 - Present

  • Identify, report, and photograph track, transit, and technology stories for print and web• Read and understand a variety of technical sources, including white papers on vehicle and track engineering, research results, and federal regulations• Act as a liaison between the magazine and the railroads, transit agencies, suppliers, and government agencies covered in these stories• Research and answer Ask Trains reader submissions• Attend the annual Wheel-Rail Interaction conference to learn, network, and identify story leads• Was a freelance contributor from 2008 to 2016



North Carolina Transportation Museum

• Historical Interpreter/Educator

  • Feb 2017 - May 2020

  • Provided top-notch customer service as a public face of the museum for visitors, members, volunteers, and front-line staff• Coordinated research and narrative development of a segregated “Jim Crow” passenger car for a National Park Service-funded restoration grant. As the subject matter expert for the project, gave interviews to TV and radio reporters and spoke at community meetings.• Created 20-30 exhibit panels per year, including all research, writing, and graphic design• Assisted with the coordination and installation of 12 temporary exhibits• Coordinated and led three annual overnight scout camps with a total attendance of over 1,500 people per year• Created and led two week-long day camps for young adults aged 16-20• Assisted with the planning and execution of ~35 special event days per year• Led tours interpreting transportation science and history for groups of up to 60 people, from preschool field trips to assisted living groups, up to 3 days per week• Trained and supervised staff and volunteers to lead tours and other programs• Created written, video, and livestream digital content during the COVID-19 shutdown• Designed an autonomous GPS-driven train narration system, trained volunteers in its daily use, and provided on-call support



Tyler Trahan Photography

• Commercial Photographer

  • Apr 2011 - Feb 2017

  Specialized in science museums and nonprofits, including events, portraits, and photojournalism-type images of visitors enjoying museum exhibits. Specialized in science museums and nonprofits, including events, portraits, and photojournalism-type images of visitors enjoying museum exhibits.



Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

• Truck Transportation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fireman

  • Feb 2016 - Aug 2016

  • Hand-fire a 1920s-vintage coal-burning steam locomotive, shoveling six tons of coal daily to boil 12,000 gallons of water into steam. • Maintain a steady supply of pressurized steam for the operation of the locomotive, despite variable load due to grades and station stops.• Ensure a safe water level in the boiler to avoid catastrophic damage or explosion from improper water level.• Follow traditional and modern firing practices to minimize wear, fuel consumption, and risk.• Observe signals and communicate with the engineer to assist in the safe operation of the train.

• Brakeman

  • May 2015 - Aug 2016

  • Assist in the safe operation of a steam-powered passenger train on a 90-mile, twelve-hour round trip through a rugged wilderness area with up to 450 passengers aboard.• Assist in the safe movement of the train under timetable and track warrant control, including Rule 99 flag protection from following traffic.• Inspect and test air brakes and other mechanical systems, and assist the conductor with field repairs when necessary.• Work safely around, between, and underneath trains to couple and uncouple cars, connect and test air brake systems, set handbrakes, and line switches.