April 15, 2008
Father and son team John and John Petillo take a moment for a photo in front of ConnCo. #303
Once again, Seashore Trolley Museum invites members of the public to train as volunteer operators, conductors and guides. This rare and thrilling opportunity to work with historic railway vehicles attracts volunteers each year from throughout the Northeast, and as far away as California.
Prospective operators and conductors attend two training sessions in May, choosing between Saturday and Sunday sessions. Candidates continue their training on the cars of the fleet under the supervision of instructors and experienced operators and conductors, leading up to full qualification as operator and/or conductor. Volunteers choose their own days and hours for operating or conducting rides on the museum's 2.5-mile scenic railway line.
This year’s training sessions will take place on May 3 or 4 and May 17 or 18. Trainees choose either Saturday or Sunday for each weekend, for a total of two daylong sessions. Each session begins at 9:00 AM and continues to mid-afternoon.
Additional volunteers are welcome, for guiding groups of visitors through the Museum's two exhibit barns and orientation room. Like operators, guides choose their hours and level of involvement. Those interested in becoming tour guides without operations training should contact the museum for information about this opportunity.
Father and son return for first year as qualified operators
New operators John Petillo and his 23-year-old son (also named John) will return to Seashore Trolley Museum this summer, after becoming qualified last season. “The training was simply excellent,” said Petillo. “In the morning we had instruction in the upstairs conference room, with a great view including two exhibit barns. In the afternoon we had plenty of track time, and we learned everything we needed to know about operating and leading tours. I don’t know how they could have done it any better.”
A plasma physicist who has spent his fair share of time in educational settings, he added, “It was like an extended classroom and lab session. We heard the information and then we went into the lab.”
Petillo and his son had been visiting Seashore for a decade before entering training. The younger Petillo had become a volunteer at the National Streetcar Museum in Lowell, MA, but that work did not include operations, so he was eager to become an operator at Seashore. At first, Petillo came to Seashore’s training primarily to accompany his son, but during the training sessions and subsequent qualification hours, his excitement grew. He finds it amazing to have the chance to operate such historic vehicles, many of them over a century old.
The Petillos have enjoyed cooperating in their learning experience. “When we drive up [to Kennebunkport] we go over the material together,” Petillo said. “For example, we might review what to do and say at various points” of the streetcar ride.
“The best part is that I’m doing it with John,” continued Petillo. “We are learning together and we both love it. On the way home [from Seashore], we’re always saying, ‘That was a good day.’”
For prospective trainees
The museum accepts operations trainees over age 18. Junior operators and other volunteers under age 18 may be considered on an individual basis. Both men and women are encouraged to train. All volunteers must be members of Seashore Trolley Museum. Annual membership dues are $35 ($30 for students, retirees over age 60, and members of the military). Operations trainees pay a fee of $25 for training materials.
Potential trainees are invited to call Seashore Trolley Museum at 207-967-2712 or email at carshop@gwi.net. Additional information for prospective volunteers can be found at: http://www.trolleymuseum.org/volunteer.html.
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