A Daily Adventure for Train Engineer Al

STANTON —  For more than 35 years, Al Welch worked as a mechanical and electrical engineer at Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton. But after four years of retirement, Welch decided to become a different kind of engineer--the kind that drive trains.

Welch is Engineer Al at Adventure City, Orange County’s newest amusement park, which opened in August as a part of the Hobby City complex in Stanton. Welch steers a small-scale locomotive around the park, giving kids a view of all the rides in addition to a trip through a tunnel and underneath a waterfall.

“This job has given me a whole new role in life,” said Welch, 59. “I enjoy this job tremendously. I’ve always liked kids, and this is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

When Welch arrives at work, he inspects and cleans the train’s three kid-size cars and six-foot locomotive. He polishes the brass ornaments and inspects the entire track on foot. Then he takes the train out alone for its first trip of the day. “These are all safety precautions,” Welch said. “If there’s anything wrong with the train or something on the tracks, I want to spot it ahead of time.”

After his initial trip, he pulls up at the train station and high-fives the waiting children before helping load them into the train cars for a three-minute ride around the park. Welch estimates that he travels this route 50 to 60 times a day.

“I’m older than most of the other ride attendants here. Even my bosses call me ‘Dad,’ ” Welch said. “But I like the scale of this park and the concept. I’m even getting repeat customers and kids who ask for me by name.”

OCCUPATION: Amusement park ride attendant

* What’s involved: Admitting guests to rides and making sure safety rules are followed. Some rides require narration. Attendants may be required to wear costumes and assume character roles.

* Qualifications: Most have at least a high school diploma, but many parks hire high school students. Training consists mostly of on-the-job experience and seminars in public relations, safety matters and park policies.

* Outlook: By 1998, the number of amusement park ride attendants is expected to increase 14.3%, to 3,280.

* Salary range: $4.25 to $8 per hour.

* Pros: Working in a lighthearted, fantasy environment.

* Cons: Must be able to deal with excited children and adults, handle customer complaints and enforce rules.

* Advancement: Some become supervisors or enter other management positions.

* Quote: “I feel privileged to play this role.”

--Al Welch, “Engineer Al” at Adventure City

Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times