Some odd sounds and sights might be taking place on the North side of the city, but we're being reminded all is under control.

The Western Development Musem is hosting some of their annual training for staff and volunteers and train whistles and plumes of steam are all apart of the process. 

"We are holding a steam engine training operation course and it's going on over the next few weekends. Students will be learning how to operate and look after antique steam engines," explained Western Development Museum Manager, Kathy Fitton. "It is a closed course, there is no public access but people are going to see some unusual activity over here at the museum."

Due to the abnormality of these machines and the sounds and sights that come along with it, Fitton wants residents to know everything is business as usual and it's not ready for the public just yet. 

"We will be operating two different steam engines and they make noise, sometimes you might hear a whistle or see a plume of steam. Everything is fine, it's just some training exercises and I think it's also important for people to know that it's not the train. The train will not be running until the long weekend in May," said Fitton. 

The volunteers and staff participating in the training course that kicked off on Friday will spend the next three weekends learning the ins and outs of the steam engine and more. 

"The more people that we have that are properly trained to run the locomotive and our 75' Case tractor the more often we can get them out for the public to see and the public to enjoy. This is something that is becoming a bit of a dying art, operating antique steam is not something that everyone has an opportunity to grow up with."

Fitton would like to reassure residents that if they have any questions they can always call the museum. she noted they're currently crossing their fingers for favourable weather for the long weekend in May as that's when the public can start to ride along and enjoy the steam engine as well.