The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad's Climax Locomotive, Moore-Keppel & Co. No. 3 known as "The Durbin Rocket" starting it's day. Filmed in October 2015.
I love this locomotive!! Before it was moved down to West Virginia, it resided for a while at a trolley museum in East Windsor, Connecticut. I grew up about 10 minutes from there, so my parents used to take me to see it all the time. The museum never operated it, but I have many fond memories of climbing into the cab and trying to figure out what all of the controls did. While it's sad not to have it close by anymore, I'm glad that it went somewhere where they can actually run it. Fortunately for me, there is another operational Climax a few hours north up in New Hampshire. I knew the engineer quite well, so I rode on that locomotive many, many times. Blowing the whistle and hearing it echo through the White Mountains was an unforgettable experience!!
Now there's a locomotive just oozing character, with the emphasis on oozing, steam and water erupting at every opportunity! ...just love TH-cam! Oh, love the whistle!
I must admit that I am particularly fascinated by unconventional steam locomotives. And that geared locomotives are among my favorite unconventional locomotives.
Fun video! Thank you. All weight on drive wheels. My great uncle wished all weight of his huge 4-8-4 freight locomotive was on the drive wheels.His locomotive often slipped when pulling heavy trains. Said the RR always had him pull trains too heavy for one locomotive.
Have visited several times and cab rode once. They originally had some rough track areas were the 85 flood had washed out the road bed. It was very interesting to feel it negotiate the rough rail it was designed for.
Been to Durbin many times fishing in that area. That steam engine is a little gem and she pulls like a champ. Fun to watch the crew fire her up and get ready for a tour along the Greenbrier River. Also good is the Firehouse 2 restaurant across the street, good breakfast and nice people. At one time that floodplain next to the Greenbrier River in Durbin used to be a major interchange yard for the C&O and Western Maryland Railroads.
Back after Cass first got the WM Shay #6, they ran it on the line from Cass to Durbin. Then along came Agnes and shut down that run due to track damage. It cutoff Cass from the outside world by rail so Cass decided to rebuild the line up to Spruce and Old Spruce to connect with the WM trackage there. Before that, WM #6 was too hard on the track going up the hill. Which is funny because Mower Lumber even had a 4 truck Shay that was bigger in the 50s.
В компьютерной игре Transport Giant есть похожий локомотив, но там его назвали "Heisler 2-truck". Так же есть и паровоз "Climax", но выглядит совершенно иначе. В самой игре много искажённых названий, а также визуальных исполнений транспортных средств, что реальные прототипы только угадываются. Я полагаю, что разработчики игры поступили таким образом, чтобы избежать проблем с авторскими правами на названия и внешний вид транспортных средств.
There may be some clean exterior locomotives like Mallard. But I think this is the most beautiful steam locomotive I've ever seen. Its all wheels are on bogies, a shaft on the center, AWD, and that epic angled pistons. Whistle was also very nice. Unfortunately, it's still not able to make me love steam locos more than diesels and electrics.
But nothing to see on a diesel or electric locomotive, all hidden away under a casing. With this Climax everything is on view, and not difficult to work out how it all works. This is a mechanical marvel, and actually pre-dates the layout of almost all diesels and electrics, i.e., a separate engine sending power to a bogie at each end of the chassis. Wish we has these, and Shay, and Heisler, in the UK., but we never had any of them.
Wow, you learn something every day! I didn't realize that geared locos would wheel slip but at 5.15 there it goes! Also at 2.25 I can smell the steam!, I really can!
I worked on rebuilding her many years ago in Connecticut. She is powerfull and can slip all 8 wheels. I have footage that shows a switching move where we had her slip a lot.
it's basically a 8x8 ( 8 wheel drive ) , I had no idea that anything like this ever existed ... I know shay, I know steam engines ... but this one is a species all by itself, really !
I helped rebuild this locomotive many years ago in Connecticut. Not sure why they are not shutting off the cylinder cocks once its moving. Maybe for show?
Dios! chicos, la restauraron que cosa tan hermosa felicitaciones es una locomotora muy hermosa, sólo falta afinar y disminuir el ruido , tiene mucho juego de cardan y algunos engranes , pero es una maravilla ,gracias.
English Translation: God! guys, they restored that beautiful thing congratulations is a very beautiful locomotive, just need to tune and reduce the noise, has a lot of cardan and some gears, but it's a wonder, thank you.
@@kiwitrainguy ↑ to add: _juego de cardán_ refers to play in the universal joints, specifically to the "lash" or "slop" - here manifesting the endearing Climax®™ drivetrain noise :-)
Where's this at? I've heard of climax and heislers before but never actually seen either one. I've rode a couple of trains with Shay locomotives, one at the Illinois railroad museum and another at Hesston steam museum.
Durbin, West Virginia Not sure if this is still running, but a 1/2 hour drive from Durbin, located in Cass, WV, their Railroad has Shay's, a Heisler, and now a Climax. Check it out!
Man what a beauty and it's so unique it's not like all the other steamers it is not using the axels normally it has a sort of tram like movement if I am correct and it's higher than some trains of that era for sure but really rare too and expensive to mai tain but worth the wile so nice video and even nicer train😉👍👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
She hasn't got the oil-bath differentials of a Heisler, but, in truth, I cant but love any geared loco. Let's hope the tourists don't keep getting heavier.
An 8X8.;-) Heislers, Shays, and Climaxs also came in 12X12s and Shays even came in 16X16 versions. And yes, they could go just about everywhere there was track and some places where there wasn't. :-O
These were designed to haul logging trains during the great timbering years in the US. Tracks would be quickly laid into the forests to access the virgin timber. There would be tight turns and steep grades that a "normal" locomotive couldn't handle. The low gearing and separate drive trucks on these types of locomotives could.
This is a type of geared steam locomotive, called a Climax. They were built to haul logs up steep mountain grades and around curves SLOWLY in order to maintain traction.
A majority of steam trains I’ve seen here in West Virginia were meant to haul logs, I’ve only ever seen shays, I’m surprised I haven’t seen this one as close as it is.
Nice video! Thanks for posting this up. The steam escaping from under the water cistern is interesting. I wonder if it is coming from the water siphon? The new hose hanging on the frame tells me they must use the siphon now and then. That's a pretty cool feature.
A interesting configuration on this locomotive. I wonder why the drive flywheel was not made bigger and made to connect to the rails and drive the locomotive directly.
Truly beautiful I like how it doesn't have wheels on the back I really wish I had a model train of itcan anyone tell me what are those little thingies that look like wheels but they're not actually on the track cuz I've been really trying to find out what were they and I don't know what is the name
King Spade: It's called the "Flywheel". There is one on each side of the locomotive. It is mounted on a shaft which connects to a set of gears which then connects to shafts in the center of the locomotive that lead to each truck through a gearbox. They help to evenly transfer the power from the cylinders to the drive wheels. It's hard to explain in words, but if you "Google" it, it will be easier to understand. Look under "Climax Locomotive". Hope that helps. ... George
@@georgemeyer8521 thanks you George cuz I've been really trying to find out what were those the first time I saw that was on Ferdinand from Thomas and Friends Misty island rescue and I was really bothered that I didn't know what were those until this day
Not running engine properly. They should have closed cylinder cocks. They also may not see the the overflow on the injector is indicating they have not gotten it fully lifted and its dumping water over board
At the beginning of the day, such as in this case, the cylinders are far cooler than the boiler, thus the steam entering the cylinders will quickly condense to water (especially on cooler days). The engineer needs to keep the cylinder cocks open for some time until the locomotive has operated enough to warm up the cylinders or else risk compressing water which can do bad things to the pistons and/or cylinder heads.
They're built for logging railroads with steep, rough tracks that are only temporarily laid and then moved as tree cutting progresses. They are geared very low for climbing steep grades with a load. The low gearing also means the steam engine can run faster and generate its rated horsepower while the locomotive travels at a relatively slow speed as compared with more contemporary side rod driven steam locomotives.
@@ralfie8801 And for those who might wonder what he means by steep grades, Interstates are mostly limited to 5%. Railroads that move tonnage are at about 2% max. Shays and Climaxes were used on track that could be up to 14%. At that point you are getting near the point where a Diesel and one car would be the limit. Two Shays with 12 cars have been known to have slippage problems on wet rails on a 10% grade if they have to start from a stop.
I love this locomotive!! Before it was moved down to West Virginia, it resided for a while at a trolley museum in East Windsor, Connecticut. I grew up about 10 minutes from there, so my parents used to take me to see it all the time. The museum never operated it, but I have many fond memories of climbing into the cab and trying to figure out what all of the controls did. While it's sad not to have it close by anymore, I'm glad that it went somewhere where they can actually run it. Fortunately for me, there is another operational Climax a few hours north up in New Hampshire. I knew the engineer quite well, so I rode on that locomotive many, many times. Blowing the whistle and hearing it echo through the White Mountains was an unforgettable experience!!
The people who restore these things are my heroes. Obsessed with trains when I was young.
Same. This train is freaking beautiful
I'm obsessed with trains now as I'm much older.. It never changed, from the time I was a boy until now.
That Whistle is beautiful, it reminds me alot of an owl, deep and hearable, like a giant steampunk owl. I'll never tire from hearing a steam whistle
Got to love the sounds of an old steam train. :3
That is perhaps the best whistle i have ever heard. Very interesting locomotive.
Lonergan 3 chime
Now there's a locomotive just oozing character, with the emphasis on oozing, steam and water erupting at every opportunity! ...just love TH-cam! Oh, love the whistle!
BackroomcastingX
I must admit that I am particularly fascinated by unconventional steam locomotives. And that geared locomotives are among my favorite unconventional locomotives.
Love how her whistle seems to echo off the surrounding hills.
That is one seriously beautiful locomotive.
Excellent locomotive; especially the drive mechanism to both boggies. Very witty. Very good restoration. Thank you.
A wonderful and fascinating loco
Thank you for showing me a good old steam locomotive.🚂
Looks straight out of a time machine. Awesome
Love the locomotive, keep it running.
Really interesting drive system! Never seen anything like it on a steam locomotive
What a gorgeous machine! And what an entrance it makes!!
Fun video! Thank you.
All weight on drive wheels. My great uncle wished all weight of his huge 4-8-4 freight locomotive was on the drive wheels.His locomotive often slipped when pulling heavy trains. Said the RR always had him pull trains too heavy for one locomotive.
Pure beauty ... thanks for sharing !
Have visited several times and cab rode once. They originally had some rough track areas were the 85 flood had washed out the road bed. It was very interesting to feel it negotiate the rough rail it was designed for.
Yeah, I also got a cab ride. I really love the geared locos!!!
Rode this consist last fall. An awesome machine !
Just beautiful 👍
Poetry in motion and a Symphony of sound ;-)
Great video, what a wonderful piece of kit, a pleasure to watch🤗👍👍
Coolest steam locomotive I've ever seen
First time ever seeing a RPO car. I have a number of RPO cancelled covers in my collection. Thanks for showing this.
This is my favourite train since i was kid
Been to Durbin many times fishing in that area. That steam engine is a little gem and she pulls like a champ. Fun to watch the crew fire her up and get ready for a tour along the Greenbrier River. Also good is the Firehouse 2 restaurant across the street, good breakfast and nice people. At one time that floodplain next to the Greenbrier River in Durbin used to be a major interchange yard for the C&O and Western Maryland Railroads.
Back after Cass first got the WM Shay #6, they ran it on the line from Cass to Durbin. Then along came Agnes and shut down that run due to track damage. It cutoff Cass from the outside world by rail so Cass decided to rebuild the line up to Spruce and Old Spruce to connect with the WM trackage there. Before that, WM #6 was too hard on the track going up the hill. Which is funny because Mower Lumber even had a 4 truck Shay that was bigger in the 50s.
Rode it this summer with the family July 2019 , Another Steamer checked off the bucket list!
Excellent. Ce film permet d'admirer une machine rare. Belle qualité de tournage, la machine étant dans son cadre. Merci !
Wonderful piece of engineering.
В компьютерной игре Transport Giant есть похожий локомотив, но там его назвали "Heisler 2-truck". Так же есть и паровоз "Climax", но выглядит совершенно иначе. В самой игре много искажённых названий, а также визуальных исполнений транспортных средств, что реальные прототипы только угадываются. Я полагаю, что разработчики игры поступили таким образом, чтобы избежать проблем с авторскими правами на названия и внешний вид транспортных средств.
This is absolutely beautiful!
Really this locomotive is a genuine 4x4 whells traction. Very interesting.
actually 4x4 axles drive...axles not wheels, drive not traction
She’s a beautiful locomotive!
“That’s right!”
Now THAT'S all wheel drive :D
Lovely black beauty steam engine. Driver cabin is very nice. Thanks.
Very nice video. Thanks for posting and have a nice day too.
Najpięknieszy samochód nie ma szans z taką lokomotywą. Jest coś mistycznego w tych pojazdach parowych😊.
WOW awesome, what a great piece of American pride and history.
I am not sure what there is to dislike about this video. Maybe the handheld camera. I just loved watching and hearing the Climax. Thanks.
I always love the Climax model
That’s neat with the all wheel drive!
There may be some clean exterior locomotives like Mallard. But I think this is the most beautiful steam locomotive I've ever seen. Its all wheels are on bogies, a shaft on the center, AWD, and that epic angled pistons. Whistle was also very nice.
Unfortunately, it's still not able to make me love steam locos more than diesels and electrics.
But nothing to see on a diesel or electric locomotive, all hidden away under a casing. With this Climax everything is on view, and not difficult to work out how it all works. This is a mechanical marvel, and actually pre-dates the layout of almost all diesels and electrics, i.e., a separate engine sending power to a bogie at each end of the chassis. Wish we has these, and Shay, and Heisler, in the UK., but we never had any of them.
😮 wow der Antrieb ist ja außergewöhnlich, auf die Idee muss man erstmal kommen😮👀👍👍👏👏👍👍👏👏
First one of these I've ever seen. Thanks for posting.
They were primarily used in Mountain railroads hauling Timber and other materials and supplies off of the mountain.
Yeah , this video's over 3 yrs old ~ but any Car-guy who's into Trains is a Good Guy as well 👍
lazy RRR car guy railfan mix? I like it
Wow, you learn something every day! I didn't realize that geared locos would wheel slip but at 5.15 there it goes!
Also at 2.25 I can smell the steam!, I really can!
Y
Holy shit that's not the steam from this video your smelling, your house is on fire! Get out quickly!
You ought to have been on the old trackage at Cass on a fall day. Two Shays both slipping their wheels at the same time trying to get to Bald Knob.
I worked on rebuilding her many years ago in Connecticut. She is powerfull and can slip all 8 wheels. I have footage that shows a switching move where we had her slip a lot.
That is one interesting looking design
She is beautiful! Take great care! Thank you:! Qu'elle est jolie! Prenez en grands soin! Merci:!
Wouldn’t mind working on this railroad! Looks very beautiful!
Anyone with kids would surely recognize Ferdinand when they see him.
I love this little Climax
Dang, sweet whistle 1:54
yes
Wow! You don't see those very often!
it's basically a 8x8 ( 8 wheel drive ) , I had no idea that anything like this ever existed ... I know shay, I know steam engines ... but this one is a species all by itself, really !
I was promised a free cab ride in no 3 not too long ago, just havent had the time to get back up there
Красавец! 🚂👍
Amazing how *smooth* and fast the thing moves... Lots of pulling power. Would probably have more if it didn't piss off so much damned STEAM! LOL
I helped rebuild this locomotive many years ago in Connecticut. Not sure why they are not shutting off the cylinder cocks once its moving. Maybe for show?
@@cchestnut12 I was wondering, too. Maybe because of the starting and stopping?
I can only imagine the amount of crater compund on the ground in that shed...
Name me something more metal than a four-wheel-drive steam locomotive. 8 Wheel drive actually
That yellow open air car, looks like it used to be one of Strasburg railroad fleet back in the 80s
It was
Dios! chicos, la restauraron que cosa tan hermosa felicitaciones es una locomotora muy hermosa, sólo falta afinar y disminuir el ruido , tiene mucho juego de cardan y algunos engranes , pero es una maravilla ,gracias.
English Translation: God! guys, they restored that beautiful thing congratulations is a very beautiful locomotive, just need to tune and reduce the noise, has a lot of cardan and some gears, but it's a wonder, thank you.
@@kiwitrainguy ↑ to add: _juego de cardán_ refers to play in the universal joints, specifically to the "lash" or "slop" - here manifesting the endearing Climax®™ drivetrain noise :-)
Where's this at? I've heard of climax and heislers before but never actually seen either one. I've rode a couple of trains with Shay locomotives, one at the Illinois railroad museum and another at Hesston steam museum.
Durbin, West Virginia Not sure if this is still running, but a 1/2 hour drive from Durbin, located in Cass, WV, their Railroad has Shay's, a Heisler, and now a Climax. Check it out!
I'm trying to work out how those drive shafts can get the power to the wheels!
Absolutely amazing to see a con rod connected to a wheel not on the rails! Can't compete with this in the UK!
Excellent shot.🤩😄😄 Like
Lovely to watch, but doesn't the driver ever close his cylinder drains?!
Man what a beauty and it's so unique it's not like all the other steamers it is not using the axels normally it has a sort of tram like movement if I am correct and it's higher than some trains of that era for sure but really rare too and expensive to mai tain but worth the wile so nice video and even nicer train😉👍👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It's a climax geared locomotive
I like ancient trains, the smoke is a lot, in Indonesia there is nothing like that.
You mean steam locomotives?
What’s the run time, like 20minutes? Water not just leaking, but pouring out of that thing, gallons per minute like a hose...
That's a proper whistle.
Does the engine have a name?
If no please name it "Ferdant"
If yes ok
I never saw a steam engine like that
That's because you've never seen a real steam locomotive lol
There are only approximately seven Climaxes operational in the the world Though there are around 25-30 left out of around 1690 built
Why the name rocket? With tiny driving wheels, it can't be that fast. I imagine she pulls like an ox and all but fast?
She hasn't got the oil-bath differentials of a Heisler, but, in truth, I cant but love any geared loco. Let's hope the tourists don't keep getting heavier.
That engine was built in my hometown
There is a loco like this in Greymouth.
Does it ever snow there?
Oh yeah, it's located in West Virginia.
So would this be the railroad version of a 4 X 4?
An 8X8.;-) Heislers, Shays, and Climaxs also came in 12X12s and Shays even came in 16X16 versions. And yes, they could go just about everywhere there was track and some places where there wasn't. :-O
J’adore les trein
Nice video.
Beautiful! I want one!
uvjhamil: But you don't get one, you dumb little child !
Super video!
Why is heisler 6 operating at durbin and not climax 3
What's the deal with this engine? Is that a drive shaft I see? Why would you do that?
These were designed to haul logging trains during the great timbering years in the US. Tracks would be quickly laid into the forests to access the virgin timber. There would be tight turns and steep grades that a "normal" locomotive couldn't handle. The low gearing and separate drive trucks on these types of locomotives could.
This is a type of geared steam locomotive, called a Climax. They were built to haul logs up steep mountain grades and around curves SLOWLY in order to maintain traction.
A majority of steam trains I’ve seen here in West Virginia were meant to haul logs, I’ve only ever seen shays, I’m surprised I haven’t seen this one as close as it is.
Now thats a cool loco!
A hell of lot racket just to brew a morning pot of coffee!
My G-Uncle Burtis Kittle worked for Moore-Kepple
Nice video! Thanks for posting this up. The steam escaping from under the water cistern is interesting. I wonder if it is coming from the water siphon? The new hose hanging on the frame tells me they must use the siphon now and then. That's a pretty cool feature.
probably from the steam brakes. It has one on each truck that is on or off. Typical for climax geared locos.
That’s right that’s Ferdinand from Thomas and Friends
That's a workhorse...
So what we are looking at here is an AWD locomotive, can it go off-road?
ALL locomotives goes off road.
q: is this a Class A? When was it built?
A interesting configuration on this locomotive. I wonder why the drive flywheel was not made bigger and made to connect to the rails and drive the locomotive directly.
This allows the locomotive to drive through very tight curves as there are no additional wheels in between the two sets in the front and back.
@@goliathprojects7354 Thank you. That makes a lot of sense.
Truly beautiful I like how it doesn't have wheels on the back I really wish I had a model train of itcan anyone tell me what are those little thingies that look like wheels but they're not actually on the track cuz I've been really trying to find out what were they and I don't know what is the name
King Spade: It's called the "Flywheel". There is one on each side of the locomotive. It is mounted on a shaft which connects to a set of gears which then connects to shafts in the center of the locomotive that lead to each truck through a gearbox. They help to evenly transfer the power from the cylinders to the drive wheels. It's hard to explain in words, but if you "Google" it, it will be easier to understand. Look under "Climax Locomotive". Hope that helps. ... George
@@georgemeyer8521 thanks you George cuz I've been really trying to find out what were those the first time I saw that was on Ferdinand from Thomas and Friends Misty island rescue and I was really bothered that I didn't know what were those until this day
@@conical3769 No problem, be safe. ... George
@@georgemeyer8521 you and your family stay safe.
Where is this at
Андрей Иванцов
Андрей Иванцов
I was wondering why so much water was being lost as well.
Not running engine properly. They should have closed cylinder cocks. They also may not see the the overflow on the injector is indicating they have not gotten it fully lifted and its dumping water over board
@@cchestnut12 Thanks for the info
My dad rode that train in his logging daysshe is a beauty aint she
@common law yeah it is.
why were the cylinder drains left open during most of the video?
At the beginning of the day, such as in this case, the cylinders are far cooler than the boiler, thus the steam entering the cylinders will quickly condense to water (especially on cooler days). The engineer needs to keep the cylinder cocks open for some time until the locomotive has operated enough to warm up the cylinders or else risk compressing water which can do bad things to the pistons and/or cylinder heads.
ive been in a passenger car pulled by this locomotive!
We're there any advantages to design a locomotive with five gearboxes when most steam locos had none. Although the ride must have been smooth.
The Climax loco was a little "jerky" when starting, but smoothed out when it gained speed.
They're built for logging railroads with steep, rough tracks that are only temporarily laid and then moved as tree cutting progresses. They are geared very low for climbing steep grades with a load. The low gearing also means the steam engine can run faster and generate its rated horsepower while the locomotive travels at a relatively slow speed as compared with more contemporary side rod driven steam locomotives.
@@ralfie8801 And for those who might wonder what he means by steep grades, Interstates are mostly limited to 5%. Railroads that move tonnage are at about 2% max. Shays and Climaxes were used on track that could be up to 14%. At that point you are getting near the point where a Diesel and one car would be the limit. Two Shays with 12 cars have been known to have slippage problems on wet rails on a 10% grade if they have to start from a stop.