There is a private railroad in Nevada, I think it is called the Northern Nevada Railway, anyway, for a fee of course, they will let you work on their railroad for a day. They will teach you to be an engineer in their steam locomotive. If you are really into it, maybe that is something you could check out. I like them too, UP 844 is my fav, and I try to see it whenever UP brings it out. I know they are rebuilding 4014 which is a Big Boy, and think they are supposed to have it operational next year.

I lived in Rhodesia in my younger years steam was still used and often road a steam train to and from boarding school as a teen .Also travelled to the cape in south Africa via the garden route nothing better happy memories

My first driving lesson was in a steam engine and not a car.