My father worked as a stoker, and later a driver, on the steam locomotives in northern Patagonia until they shut down the line back in '61. Saddest day of his life, he used to say. This brings back a lot of fond memories of hours spent listening to his stories. Whenever he talked about his railway days, he would light up. Thanks from me and my dear old man, wherever he may be...
Watching this video brings back memories from my time operating a live steam engine at Hersheypark in PA. The engines were built by Crown Metal Products and ran on a 2ft gauge track. They burned propane for fuel and man did it take time for them to warm up. Every morning was spent oiling, greasing, and polishing the brass before the park opened. Definitely a labor of love.
In the first 3 seconds when I saw the dirt on this mans face I knew I was in the right place. I thought I knew a lot about steam locomotives but the detail tricks he showed are superb. This is real work. Ain’t no couch potato video gaming slugs noticeable in this video. This is the real deal. This is living. Grateful that I am able to enjoy as it plays out in front of my own eyes. This confirms again nothing like live steam.
Thank you always for your wonderful video demonstration. This would definitely show me how to fire up a steam locomotive. I always love to travel by rail.
thank you thank you ..my mom told me she had bought me a big set when was a kid.. i told er today this isn't kids play it's grown up toys...keep up info you are way too awesome...
I'm wondering how many people watching this video are here cause they want to find out how to fire their personal steam loco, and how many are here cause steam locos are cool.
Cristi Neagu really I'm a diesel locomotive guy but I still love steam engines and just happen to come across this video for no apparent reason toy and model trains have always fascinated me I don't care what size they are it's just a train it doesn't matter
Very informative and professional - awesome video. I also watched the 'How to Operatea Steam Loco V2 and that was just as good as this. Well Done Blake! You just earnt a subscriber!
Nice - kudos! I am a "newbie" to steam HO engines and operations. I have many of them, but really never understood all that's involved or "how to" keep up with maintenance. You've taught me much in just this one video. Just subscribed!
These are awesome! Thank you for making them! Any chance we could have a shutdown-procedure video like hinted in the first fire up video? Thanks again!
It seems like the ash pan doesn't fit closely below the firebox, so I'm guessing there were lots of fires along the railroad? I used to be a brakeman on the SP (back when there were brakemen) and even then there were fires from the sparks of brakes on downhill stretches...
You know, the engineer from the movie is acctually an engineer on the Pere Marquette 1225 (the real polar Express if you know) I met him on Flagg coal co 75. He was our engineer.
The fireman’s rule: shovel little and often. Down the sides, along the back, across the front and down the middle makeing sure to keep the fire bed thin but cover the air holes and control your fire to keep coal consumption at a minimum and don’t shovel coal again until two minutes have passed
ODIL TM It truly is a good video. I live in America and I lost watching those old films. And the little and often rule is a true rule. Too much coal is bad and too little is just as bad if not worse
+Prowler901 Thank You! Check out our Facebook page (linked above) and you'll see some teaser CAD drawings for an upcoming How-To Series being developed.
I was working on the railways over here in Britain in the last days of steam . Drivers used to say how sensitive steam was compared to diesel . I have heard it said driving a diesel engine was like driving a truck . The other thing was something to do with poor coal, not the proper machine coal used . And having to stop to get steam up due to dirty tubes . Usually at the most awkward place on the main line when an express was due !
In the UK we use a similar method however we usually soak our wood in kerosene or something similar. Helps get it going better. Plus it smells amazing.
I have to say, the British smokebox door locking mechanism just seems so much more efficient. Just loosen the outer screwdown then turn the inner handle to release.
Blake-- you must also be able to teach a master class on hand cleaners ! lol. another great vid. if you haven't done so, how about a video about the scale sizes in both track and engines/rolling stock for us new to this..
Lary Mayotte fccHi! Iwas great to see I am 90 years old,back when I was 15 I was lighting up the real big engines,I wanted to be an Engineer but after working 3 weeks they found that that I was Color blind so they fired me .so after when I turned 16 I joined the Navy and worked as a stoker,after the war I worked as a stationary engineer and retired when I turned 60.
What does the diameter of the tube have to do with not running a brush through them? Granted there's probably a ton of surface area, but efficiency all being equal, clean steel is better than coated...
kleetus92 This locomotive has 1 inch diameter tubes. The locomotive is very free steaming and has gone several months without brushing while running fairly frequently. It helps that the locomotive usually runs with a decent load behind her, and the draft also helps to keep soot and cinders out.
Illinois Valley Productions That's an interesting idea, but I've found that you get carbon deposit build up over time if you don't sweep your tubes at the end of each run while the tar is still hot, no matter what the size
Rick Sorber it takes 45 minutes to fire the engine (not withstanding video outtakes). This video was shot in the afternoon one day in October so we lost day light sooner.
Very similar to what I do when I light my forge. One question though, do you reuse the coked but unburnt coal? I find it easier to light than fresh coal, and cuts down on both waste and expends.
I am in the process of converting my engine from the stack blower to compressed air. What air pressure do you use for the blower? I’m guessing that I will need a pressure regular.
Instead of using wood or coal, why not install propane burners? It would be so much cleaner, and do away with so much cleaning and soot. Just wondering...
because these are likely park attractions, and propane tanks and people don't mix. propane is explosive. if the containment breaks by whatever reason, you have a disaster. if the firebox or the burner break by whatever reason, with coal, you have a bad day, but not a disaster.
For posterity: despite what the other commenter said, many live steamers do use propane in their locomotives. The Steam Channel has since made a video comparing the different types of fuel for models. The dangers of propane are greatly exaggerated in the comment above. Propane is safe as long as it is stored in a ventilated area and the plumbing is in good condition. In fact, many railroads prohibit any fuel that isn't propane because the sparks from wood, coal, or oil can start fires. The choice of fuel has more to do with availability, regulations, and personal preference.
The Steam Channel oh I thought that sometimes trains would have to take tools across the railroad for repairs or sort of miniature things to drop off at different points in the railroad.
Shouldn't there be wiring to the headlight? Isn't the smoke box cover supposed to have bolts all around the diameter? I can see why the railroads switched to diesel, but this is amazing.
My father worked as a stoker, and later a driver, on the steam locomotives in northern Patagonia until they shut down the line back in '61. Saddest day of his life, he used to say. This brings back a lot of fond memories of hours spent listening to his stories. Whenever he talked about his railway days, he would light up. Thanks from me and my dear old man, wherever he may be...
Watching this video brings back memories from my time operating a live steam engine at Hersheypark in PA. The engines were built by Crown Metal Products and ran on a 2ft gauge track. They burned propane for fuel and man did it take time for them to warm up. Every morning was spent oiling, greasing, and polishing the brass before the park opened. Definitely a labor of love.
Well done! Lingering questions on why railroads transitioned to diesels have been answered. What a lot of work!
I gotta love the passion you have for these large-scale replicas. Tis definitely a dying art, for sure.
In the first 3 seconds when I saw the dirt on this mans face I knew I was in the right place. I thought I knew a lot about steam locomotives but the detail tricks he showed are superb. This is real work. Ain’t no couch potato video gaming slugs noticeable in this video. This is the real deal. This is living. Grateful that I am able to enjoy as it plays out in front of my own eyes. This confirms again nothing like live steam.
Although diesel engines are more efficient, the older steam engines were a work of art
Actually steam engines have more power at stall than a diesel because electric motors take all the power till they are moving decently fast
having recently got into the hobby and just bought a loco i just want to say this is a fantastic guide video keep up the hard work!
Thank you always for your wonderful video demonstration. This would definitely show me how to fire up a steam locomotive. I always love to travel by rail.
thank you thank you ..my mom told me she had bought me a big set when was a kid.. i told er today this isn't kids play it's grown up toys...keep up info
you are way too awesome...
I saw this video many years ago and have been looking for it for ever I was 9 ish then I’m 13 now and my day has been completed
I'm wondering how many people watching this video are here cause they want to find out how to fire their personal steam loco, and how many are here cause steam locos are cool.
Thank you captain Obvious !
both
Cristi Neagu really I'm a diesel locomotive guy but I still love steam engines and just happen to come across this video for no apparent reason toy and model trains have always fascinated me I don't care what size they are it's just a train it doesn't matter
Cristi Neagu ya that are cool
NIOC630 yaaaay
He seems to enjoy his job, not like some other folks ,keep it up man🙂
Very informative and professional - awesome video. I also watched the 'How to Operatea Steam Loco V2 and that was just as good as this. Well Done Blake! You just earnt a subscriber!
Nice - kudos! I am a "newbie" to steam HO engines and operations. I have many of them, but really never understood all that's involved or "how to" keep up with maintenance. You've taught me much in just this one video. Just subscribed!
This is simply awesome. It also illustrates why diesels took over.
Well done step by step procedures, from The Steam Channel.
• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂
+trainroomgary Thank You!
These are awesome! Thank you for making them! Any chance we could have a shutdown-procedure video like hinted in the first fire up video? Thanks again!
Thank you! Yes, several new How-To's are scheduled for summer filming. A shutdown video will be one of them.
+The Steam Channel Another question for you, where is your railroad located? It is very beautiful.
It seems like the ash pan doesn't fit closely below the firebox, so I'm guessing there were lots of fires along the railroad? I used to be a brakeman on the SP (back when there were brakemen) and even then there were fires from the sparks of brakes on downhill stretches...
You are an awesome dude. I always loved trains as a kid, still do love traveling by train too.
am i the only one that thinks that he looks like one of the engineers from the polar express
OMG YOUR RIGHT!!!
DAMNNN YOURE RIGHT!!!!!. But hes Not bald
The train looks like the polar express
OMG that true
You know, the engineer from the movie is acctually an engineer on the Pere Marquette 1225 (the real polar Express if you know) I met him on Flagg coal co 75. He was our engineer.
Thanks for posting and the details are interesting. At this point I'm a vicarious live steamer. I appreciate your efforts
This was really nice to watch.
he should've worn gloves though. most steam engineers where gloves because is keeps the ash and soot off their hands.
This is just awesome to watch man, thankyou for this.
Myself, operating "only" a gauge 5 engine it was very well made; concratulations !
Just found your channel and Subscribed. Very nice work
You know, locomotives looked larger in those old newsreels. I guess it was just an artifact of the old lens systems...
Rick Hobson lol
I know this is a 2 year old post but it cracked me up... 😂
Yeah they definitely used fish-eye lenses back then
Thanks for making a video on how these start up it is just so fun
The fireman’s rule: shovel little and often. Down the sides, along the back, across the front and down the middle makeing sure to keep the fire bed thin but cover the air holes and control your fire to keep coal consumption at a minimum and don’t shovel coal again until two minutes have passed
I saw that LMS film too.
ODIL TM It truly is a good video. I live in America and I lost watching those old films. And the little and often rule is a true rule. Too much coal is bad and too little is just as bad if not worse
dylan palombo exactly true!
You guys are really doing a great job on these videos. Thanks, and keep em' comin'.
+Prowler901 Thank You! Check out our Facebook page (linked above) and you'll see some teaser CAD drawings for an upcoming How-To Series being developed.
Great video. Very informative and well presented as usual. Thanks for posting.
No matter what size the steam loco, the "dirt" is the same on hands, faces, and overalls.
Great stuff! Excellent video.
im gonna bulid a narrow gauge steam train and this video helps me alot!
The presenter is really excellent!
Don't know how I wound up here, but enjoyed the video!
I was working on the railways over here in Britain in the last days of steam . Drivers used to say how sensitive steam was compared to diesel . I have heard it said driving a diesel engine was like driving a truck . The other thing was something to do with poor coal, not the proper machine coal used . And having to stop to get steam up due to dirty tubes . Usually at the most awkward place on the main line when an express was due !
In the UK we use a similar method however we usually soak our wood in kerosene or something similar. Helps get it going better. Plus it smells amazing.
I have to say, the British smokebox door locking mechanism just seems so much more efficient. Just loosen the outer screwdown then turn the inner handle to release.
you have done a great job, every thing is explained clearly and professionally
Thank you!
Thanks for posting that! Learned something new! Awesome!
I didn't know i loved locomotives so much!
Blake-- you must also be able to teach a master class on hand cleaners ! lol. another great vid. if you haven't done so, how about a video about the scale sizes
in both track and engines/rolling stock for us new to this..
Very informative ! Thanks for sharing !
The cameraman laughing at 4:20 got me.
6:33 the guy is staring at you lol great video
My god just imagine how much ash a big boy would produce. Awesome stuff though, labor of love defined!
How to fire a steam locomotive: Write and send a memo, then have security watch it clean out its desk. They then escort it off the premises.
Very nice, I really enjoyed it.
nice job well done my friend!
+Lar Mayotte Thank You!
Lary Mayotte fccHi! Iwas great to see I am 90 years old,back when I was 15 I was lighting up the real big engines,I wanted to be an Engineer but after working 3 weeks they found that that I was Color blind so they fired me .so after when I turned 16 I joined the Navy and worked as a stoker,after the war I worked as a stationary engineer and retired when I turned 60.
OMG you look like John Candy the comedian. Great video
Great video thanks!
This machine is a masterpiece of engineering.
What does the diameter of the tube have to do with not running a brush through them? Granted there's probably a ton of surface area, but efficiency all being equal, clean steel is better than coated...
kleetus92 This locomotive has 1 inch diameter tubes. The locomotive is very free steaming and has gone several months without brushing while running fairly frequently. It helps that the locomotive usually runs with a decent load behind her, and the draft also helps to keep soot and cinders out.
Illinois Valley Productions That's an interesting idea, but I've found that you get carbon deposit build up over time if you don't sweep your tubes at the end of each run while the tar is still hot, no matter what the size
Love ur videos
+elmin2323 Thank You!
Timothy DeMarco They are but their not used for proper work anymore
Trains Vs Nerf The Strasburg Railroad actually makes freight runs from time to time I hear.
So mesmerizing. The coolest thing I saw all day!! How long do you keep it running?
what a gorgeous model
thank you for making this video
awesome videos!!
+long dong silvers Thank you!
Amazing, just like the big steam locomotives.
If you wake up on a Saturday morning and want to take your train for a spin, how long till it's ready to go? Thursday?
Rick Sorber it takes 45 minutes to fire the engine (not withstanding video outtakes). This video was shot in the afternoon one day in October so we lost day light sooner.
Man! I love the old coal-fired stuff but please put a filter on and capture your exhaust and ash please! Keep on keeping on.
So how many time can you ride one of these trains before you have to clean it out like this?
You could do a whole video on cleaning but looking at you I would pick someone else to clean , just kidding . Very cool .
Nice unit bro
What's the point of firing it up if it's almost dark when your ready
how amazing is this 👍
From start to finish how long does it take to get a Live Loco ready for use ?
I like the "Life-Support" reference. I reminds me of something that happened to me long ago, but I can't remember exactly what it was.
Very similar to what I do when I light my forge. One question though, do you reuse the coked but unburnt coal? I find it easier to light than fresh coal, and cuts down on both waste and expends.
I am in the process of converting my engine from the stack blower to compressed air. What air pressure do you use for the blower? I’m guessing that I will need a pressure regular.
Magnificent, handsome locomotive.I'd brush the tubes. Blowing is not good enough. (I be a tophat and tailed chimney sweep.)
now im all fired up..if i move to the states im buying one.thanks
Very Nice!
"They say that fearless Frank Fargo got one of these up to near seventy out past Verde Junction"
Do not the Piston Chambers need to be drained of condensation??
Ahh did this 3 days ago but with a real scale sized NZR Loco... a lot of fun to do
Love your videos dude. ^D^
One day I'll be in your shoes... One day.
Benjamin Br0
Thank you, Blake. What do you figure the engine weighs?
Nice video.. Thanks you
Instead of using wood or coal, why not install propane burners?
It would be so much cleaner, and do away with so much cleaning and soot.
Just wondering...
because these are likely park attractions, and propane tanks and people don't mix.
propane is explosive.
if the containment breaks by whatever reason, you have a disaster.
if the firebox or the burner break by whatever reason, with coal, you have a bad day, but not a disaster.
Makes perfect sense! Just thinking outloud.
For posterity: despite what the other commenter said, many live steamers do use propane in their locomotives. The Steam Channel has since made a video comparing the different types of fuel for models.
The dangers of propane are greatly exaggerated in the comment above. Propane is safe as long as it is stored in a ventilated area and the plumbing is in good condition. In fact, many railroads prohibit any fuel that isn't propane because the sparks from wood, coal, or oil can start fires.
The choice of fuel has more to do with availability, regulations, and personal preference.
Ok so how much are those trains like about how much are they and where can you get them
i like the channel.
Are you able to tell me where I can get a set of plans to build one like this thanks
Little Engines sells drawings to build similar locomotives
Are the fire tubes steel or copper? If they're steel, can they be welded in or do they have to be rolled? Thanks
Shane K This locomotive has steel tubes that have been rolled in.
Damn that is one fine looking machine 🧐..👌
This is so cool.
I'm 40 years old and it was only a couple years ago I found out that I had been pouring oil the wrong way all my life.
How are you supposed to pour it ? I'm 60 and I still don't know - Oh yeah backwards.Great when you watch a film to the end
I have to ask this, is a miniature railroad a fully operational Railroad what I mean is delivering Freight rather than just passengers?
This is a hobby
The Steam Channel oh I thought that sometimes trains would have to take tools across the railroad for repairs or sort of miniature things to drop off at different points in the railroad.
Magic. Pure magic.
Any particular reason you do not fire up the wood from the ash pan?
Is that whole area a tour or something why do you have all these trains and rail road tracks,
It’s a private live steam club
What an awesome machine.
Excellent video. Even in miniature, steam still has the magic.
Question: does the ash tray under the firebox hang down, open, all the time?
MarsFKA No it stays closed to prevent fires.
Thanks.
Shouldn't there be wiring to the headlight? Isn't the smoke box cover supposed to have bolts all around the diameter? I can see why the railroads switched to diesel, but this is amazing.
Are the steps shown here similar to what you would do to fire/prime a full-scale loco, or are there additional steps?
They're pretty similar
Where can I do this kind of thing?
Question: are the plates stacked in the firebox, or spread across the bottom? It's a little tricky to see.
Nolan k it wouldn’t make much sense if they were stacked up as the fire burns on them through the fire box.
@@TheSteamChannel sorry I understand now. Just a little misconception!
PS thanks so much for replying!
nice Video.is cool
Good job
What are the statistics on this train. How much does it weigh empty and running? HP estimate at the wheels? Overall length and pulling capabilities?