Gunny,
For all intents and purposes, the best way to learn is by having hands on experience provided by someone else, that is, find someone local (if possible) and get round there and see how they operate. It doesn't matter what lathe they have as all you need in the beginning are the basics, how to set the job up, and what sorts of tooling are required for the materials you are working with.
I know this because I used to have an open workshop, where anyone could book a time and date and they could have a few hours instruction for nothing. Believe me, there is nothing worse than trying to learn off a forum or by email, too many conflicting arguments and long drawn out replies that are difficult to understand unless you have a bit of hands on experience.
I know, I taught a chap to machine purely by email and phone, and it took me nearly three years to get him accomplished and confident, and I was having to reply to sometimes as many as 20 emails a day. I only met him after all the training was finished. If he was in a position to travel to me, I reckon a good months' training would have achieved the same result.
John