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mysilvermachine t1_j11eah7 wrote

It looks like you are talking about the U.K. - so right at the start there was a shortage of trained staff and as you say those with experience of stationary steam locos would be recruited and others with mechanical experience such as those in engineering workshops.

There’s accounts of the London & Birmingham of Stephenson locomotive works having staff accompany trainee drivers and firemen on trips ( usually with goods) to show them the best way of working the engines and what the hand signals meant.

There were also periodical labour disputes where all the engine staff would be dismissed and basically anyone who had an inkling would be employed, including drivers who had been dismissed by other companies for drunkenness or worse.

It was a chaotic time that lasted until the 1860s or so. But even then as railways expanded rapidly you could be promoted to driver, the elite of the working class, in your mid 20s.

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FixSwords t1_j11ktye wrote

This particular Stephenson is mentioned in the song Steph(v)enson by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing.

Not to be confused with Stephenson, Stevenson or Stevenson.

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jeffersonairmattress t1_j12sxhh wrote

Naval engineers/oilers/fitters/stokers etc were also sought- but a marine worker not signed on to a ship would have a tough road to prove himself worthy in the typically insular or nepotistic railroading trade.

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