Articulated Steam Locomotives: Train Talk Ep. 28

[@valeriebassett3107]

My husband and I were trying to understand more about locomotives that are articulated. I was looking on google, and guess what. I found a video. When we started to play it, we saw that it was from one of our favorite channels that we have subscribed too. We are going to watch your videos on train talk. I'm so thankful for you. You are amazing ❣️ I love to listen to your voice, and boy are you smart. Keep up that fantastic work that you do. Stay safe and healthy.

[@TrainGuru]

My suggestion would be the Cab Forward and how the crank pin allowed the locomotive to go in the opposite direction fast and the pros and cons of a cab forward

[@CoasterFan2105]

A great idea!

[@dukeofkool]

Appreciate the Train Talk for us new Railfans.

[@UP4014]

Nice! I love articulated locomotives! Mainly the big boy!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

UnionPacific4014 Productions me too. My number one favorite Articulated steam locomotive is Union Pacific Big Boy 4014.

[@UP4014]

Nathan Corcoran, same!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Articulated locomotives are just awesome.

[@sebastianfloyd372]

@@CoasterFan2105 I like 3985

[@Mr._funny2006]

I like Garretts

[@291281]

Cool video about steam locomotives CoasterFan2105

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@shorelinerailproductions]

Top 5 of my favorite articulated locos UP 4014 UP 3985 NW 2156 SP 4272 Erie 5016

[@CoasterFan2105]

How awesome would it be to see an operating Triplex?!

[@shorelinerailproductions]

@@CoasterFan2105 awesome

[@shorelinerailproductions]

CoasterFan2105 I think I saw you at the Big boy/844 ceremony in Ogden

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

Articulated Locomotives are awesome!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Yes they are!

[@theextremeanimator4721]

You are awesome too, Harrison

[@Handlesarestoopid]

I love some of the small articulated locomotives especially ones at logging railroads

[@CoasterFan2105]

I really like a lot of those too. Very unique locomotives.

[@Sdegnanschmidt]

Nick Wilde's train channel aaasas

[@regularguy7266]

The T1 Trust group is making a brand new Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Duplex locomotive, 5550, and it is said to be completed by 2030. They are going to be building it off of old or/and surviving drawings of the locomotive. Hopefully they can solve the problems the T1 had such as violent wheelslip and a finicky valve gear.

[@Buynot]

I know they were rigid framed locomotives, but I feel like the PRR Duplexes deserve at least a mention.

[@CoasterFan2105]

That's a good point, but I think that may have been confusing for some people since this video is specifically about articulated locomotives. Although, I could have put it in as a "counter example" of sorts. The difficult thing would be that I don't have any video or photo of the Duplexes, so it may have been difficult to explain that without any images. Maybe when the T1 replica is finished, I could discuss that then.

[@Autism74]

9:08 that's the most amazing professional shot you have ever done in railfan history

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you, thank you. Unfortunately I didn’t have a very good camera at the time, but I’m still happy I was able to capture it in action!

[@supaplex69andi83]

@@CoasterFan2105 7

[@trainsandtrams2020]

It's quite amazing to think how many articulated steam locomotives around the world have actually been successfully preserved and not just that, but how many of them are still or once again operational, like the revitalized 4014 as a prime example. Of course extra fun for the railfan is also derived from the circumstance, that there are a lot of fully functional articulated steam locomotives both on standard gauge as well as narrow gauge lines.

[@thetrainsport]

Good job mike. Great video

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@thetrainsport]

I didn’t just like it I loved it, Trains are awesome

[@thetrainsport]

CoasterFan2105 I video trains in NC around where you made that video at. 🚂

[@paulsadowski7504]

As a kid I always wanted to see a Big Boy run. That dream came true last year when they restored 4014. I drove three hours to watch it pass by on it's way to Texas. As I have gotten older though, I have come to love and respect the everyday consolidations, mikados, and pacifics. I came to realize the skill needed to double or triple head a train. I also came to realise that these big articulated steam engines meant that two less people were needed to drive the train and that makes me a little sad to think of people losing their jobs as these huge engines emerged. Granted there were still instances like on the Norfolk and Western were they double headed a Y6B and a Class A with another mallet pushing the train of 175 coal cars over a 1.35% grade. That must have been quite the sight to see. I look forward to seeing 1309 run some day.

[@ROTE]

Train talk is awesome!

[@killerbees177]

Could you do a video talking about the different freight locos. Ex: GP38, SD40, AC units, etc..

[@CoasterFan2105]

If all goes as planned, you may be happy with next month's episode!

[@Trainman3985]

Union Pacific 3985 is my favorite Articulated Steam Locomotive hands down

[@stanfischer6175]

Yeah! While the Big Boys got all the attention they ran mostly on Sherman Hill and occasionally into Denver. There were 25 Big Boys vs. 105 Challengers. The Challenger was UP's universal "big engine" that ran across almost the entire system. More than 4 Challengers for every Big Boy, the numbers speak for themselves. None the less, there is a place in Houston called Eureka Junction where I've watched trains go by for over 50 years. 50 years ago I knew what a Big Boy was and never dreamed I'd see one go thru Eureka Junction but last November 4014 did!

[@coolleo149]

Hands down Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 my favorite articulated steam locomotive XD

[@CoasterFan2105]

Mine too!

[@ROTE]

BIG BOY 4014 IS MY FAVORITE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE!!!!!!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Railfaner 232 me too.

[@CoasterFan2105]

4014 is one of my favorites too!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

CoasterFan2105 yeah. Love UP Big Boy 4014.

[@IronHorsefan1869]

I had no idea there were any full sized Mason Bogies left! Awesome video! Id been waiting for this particular episode of train talk

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! I know a lot of people were waiting for this one, so I'm happy I was finally able to get it done!

[@trainst]

My favorite articulated steam engine is N&W 1218

[@CoasterFan2105]

That's a really neat one. Would be great to see it running again some day.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

A recording of ATSF 3751s whistle was used for San Clemente’s wayside horn system

[@CoasterFan2105]

Yup!

[@09JDCTrainMan]

My favorite articulated steamers (subject to update, maybe) 1. UP Big Boy 2. N&W A 3. N&W Y6 4. C&O Allegheny 5. DM&IR Yellowstone 6. UP Challenger 7. SP Cab Forward (AC-12) 8. C&O 1309 9. BHC 110 10. Skookum

[@CoasterFan2105]

Good choices!

[@MidwesternRailfan]

I've seen two operating articulated steam locomotives (Black Hills Central 110 [2-6-6-2T Mallet] and Union Pacific 4014 [4-8-8-4 Big Boy]) all in the year 2019.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Nice!

[@SKNY1996]

Hey Mike, I have an idea for a future episode of Train Talk. Road-Rail/High-Rail Trucks. If you can make it, that’d be great. But if not, that’s okay with me.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Sounds like a very neat idea. I've wanted to do a "Maintenance of Way" video for quite a while.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Sold Amtrak equipment since 2015: F40PHs #401-409, P32-8 #505, P-40s #800-806, #809, #811, #813, #823, #825-828, and #839 have been sold to Larrys Truck Electric. Larry's Truck Electric also bought Viewliner Baggage car #61043.

[@aerodisfunction9896]

NOOOOOOO

[@trevorthefoamer220]

Should do a train talk about locomotive bells

[@CoasterFan2105]

That one is on the list!

[@aerodisfunction9896]

My personal favorite articulated engine are the SP AC12’s

[@nathancorcoran5347]

We all know that only one of them survives today. SP 4294, found at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California. I have seen that engine a lot at that museum.

[@Handlesarestoopid]

@@nathancorcoran5347 same. Beautiful locomotive

[@nathancorcoran5347]

yeah.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Those are awesome. It’s a shame that there weren’t more of them that survived.

[@Handlesarestoopid]

@@CoasterFan2105 well 1 is better than none

[@garrettgeorge614]

This is a well done video. I really like how you explained the difference between a compound mallet and simple articulated locomotive. I even like how you mentioned the Garratt locomotive. I know this isn’t an articulated locomotive, but I would’ve liked to have seen or be presented about the Pennsylvania’s duplex locomotives. Just to show viewers they weren’t articulated locomotives if they asked questions about them. They look like articulated locomotives, but I’m sure you know that they were built on a single rigid frame. So, they weren’t considered articulated. Again, that’s just incase you get many questions from viewers who are curious.

[@transportationproductions1794]

Awesome articulateds, Mike! They are very huge! Well, almost every articulated. Well done!

[@thetrainsport]

By the way Mike can you do a video of the types of Amtrak p42-dc locomotive color styles

[@CoasterFan2105]

I’ll probably discuss all the Amtrak paint schemes in a future episode about Amtrak history!

[@thetrainsport]

CoasterFan2105 thanks 🚂

[@railwaysfan92]

Congratulations Mike! Very interresting comments about Mallet system and others kinds of articulated steam locomotives. You made a great explaination of all theses systems and particularely the compound system. Thanks for all.

[@CoasterFan2105]

You're very welcome and thank you for watching!

[@mphRagnarok]

all your videos objectively are high quality even compared to other rail fan material. But why the hell do all your videos have 10-15% down votes? Do you have a dedicated hater group or something

[@Vextrix739]

Articulated steam locomotive vs Duplex steam locomotive what's the difference? And similarities?

[@bazineversformerchannel9114]

This is the best train talk yet! I say your the best KZbinr ever!

[@pzavis25]

I agree, but you should’ve said “you’re” and not your.

[@bazineversformerchannel9114]

Yeah I can’t see what I’m typing

[@CoasterFan2105]

Well thanks so much for saying so!

[@FamilyGuyandWonderGarbo8448]

This is a truth love story of Trains beautiful steam Locomotive in best old 1900's I love it Mike🇺🇸🇺🇸🥰😍 God bless friend and family as well

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you so much! You too!

[@FamilyGuyandWonderGarbo8448]

@@CoasterFan2105 your welcome mate

[@russellgxy2905]

Okay a lot of thoughts from this one. I know you didn't include any of the geared locomotives because you already did a video on them, but technically they count as articulated loco's as well. Shay's, Climaxes, Heislers, and Willamettes all have diving wheels that aren't rigidly attached to the locomotive frame. The same goes with Steam-Electric turbines seeing as their wheels are arranged more similarly to a diesel electric locomotive which are articulated by default, and even Sentinel steam locomotives. These were a unique steam design which used a high pressure vertical boiler, cylinders and a gear-drive system like the Shays, Climaxes, and so on. They are probably better known, as 0-4-0 shunters in Britain, but a few were built with powered trucks instead of a fixed wheelbase. Like the other geared locomotives, they were found to have smoother application of their power to the rails as opposed to the pounding of more conventional locomotives, including the Mallets and Simple Articulateds. Sadly I don't think any of the articulated Sentinels are still around. Next I want to mention the "exes." I think the four Triplexes counts as a combination of a Mallet and a Simple since they did have low-pressure cylinders for the front set of drivers, but the middle and rear set had smaller cylinders so I assume they were both high-pressure. Also while you did mention that articulated are locomotives with more than two-sets of driving wheels, I'm glad you didn't mention the duplexes. I often see people confuse them for articulateds when duplexes are, by definition, two driving wheel sets on a rigid frame. Overall though, this was a great episode! Distiguishing between the Mallets and Simples was nice too, as most people use Mallet to describe the articulation only rather than incorporate how the steam is used. Though I also want to mention there were some articulated, notably the N&W Y6's, which could alternate between compound and simple articulation. From what I've heard, the simple steam applied vastly more power, almost as much as a modern AC road diesel, and the compound was used to keep the train moving while conserving how much steam was used

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks, Russell. All good points. I actually did not know about the Y6's, so that's pretty interesting. A lot of my limitations with Train Talk have to do with what I have images and video of that I can use in a video. I know that there is always the "fair use" argument, but that can frequently get very muddy the farther you wade into that pond. And for a video like this, it really doesn't (in general) pay for me to go through the long process of trying to obtain rights to use images or videos from other people. That's why I ended up using those overly simplified illustrations for the last 3 types of articulated locomotives. You are right about the geared locomotives but as you also said, they were covered in another episode and I didn't want to confuse people too much with things like that since this video is focused on the cylinder driven rod engines. Again, thank you very much for the comment, I always enjoy hearing from you!

[@KENTSCOBRAJET]

So informative,. Thank you ❤

[@lautanbintangempatlima8350]

9:06 why dont just add a pitcure of the actual locomotive then a ms paint? Just becouse the type dosent run on us rail it dosent mean it dosent exist in other places

[@patrlckballing]

Aren’t these just 2 locos together? Or are they 2 sets of wheels?

[@BB_Sebring]

There are two sets of driving wheels which share a common boiler on articulated steam locomotives. The exceptions being the Garret and Double Fairlie types which have two boilers and two sets of driving wheels. Confusingly, each set of drivers can be referred to as an "engine", which is probably the source of your confusion. Some articulated steam locomotives such as the Santa Fe's experimental 2-10-10-2's were constructed from 2 existing locomotives, however.

[@Noodle_Train]

Wow, great video! What interesting locomotives. Liked. 👍

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Awesome video, Mike. I can’t wait to see the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Mallet 1309 operate in the future.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Neither can I! Maybe later this year! Thanks for watching!

[@thatoneguy611]

@@CoasterFan2105 hey you guessed right!

[@Noodle_Train]

8:05 ooh Big Boy 4014!

[@daskriegsman7013]

Does that mean C&O 1309 isn't a Mallet locomotive?

[@peppy_c]

I just realized something, this was uploaded one day before my birthday!!

[@pzavis25]

I know a TON about steamers now because of this… yes!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Awesome! Glad I could help!

[@shaneisaperson3161]

loved the vid, Could you do and episode of train talk on the Southern Pacific cab forwards

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! I’d like to one of these days!

[@Sf_sholder]

WHAT ABOUT THE 2-8-8-8-2 AND 2-8-8-8-4 TRIPLEXES?!

[@nukleussuelkun3219]

What is the difference between the challenger and the big boy? i can't tell them apart

[@midwestmodelrailroadworkshop]

Great video!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks Blake!

[@mattyoung2297]

Pls do train talk on MP36PH

[@paulsmith6616]

Oh god! at approx. 0.58 the rusting artic, I just wanted to grab it and have it restored. Breaks your heart to see things like this. Hope the old girl makes it to preservation.

[@CoasterFan2105]

It would be awesome to see that thing running again.

[@taslimchoudhary1253]

Beautiful Video 🌿🌿🇮🇳🌿🌿

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@NDVC.]

Nice video. Greetings from Vietnam!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you and greetings!

[@destroyergaming637]

*TRAIN TALK YEEEES!!!*

[@superbaddy4]

11:11 (Insert South Park Theme)

[@bagussatriachannel]

Very good video😀

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@brandonaviation6010]

Sorry I’m late, do you remember me? I’m Brandon!

[@kevp9601]

Happy Early Mother's Day, Mr. Mike Armstrong! :-D

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks Kev!

[@rhettrossalbert]

Nice video Mike! :-)

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks, Rhett! :)

[@Y100001]

Excellent, informative presentation.

[@minnesotarailfan12]

Please make a video on the Burlington Northern! It's a very underrated railroad from what I have seen despite being one of the largest railroads in the US at the time. It's my favorite and I would really like to see one!

[@brendanswain939]

What is the name of the articulated tank engine?

[@nathantzhang]

beautiful video mike

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks, Nathan!

[@UP4014SteamTrainFan]

Nice Job You should do a Train Talk episode about the Big Boy

[@transitfanaviationfanrailf9249]

1:10 is a tiny big boy lol

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

Good video, you earned a sub :)

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you very much!

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

No problem

[@paulgracey4697]

When railroads dominated American travel and commerce, and were going as many places as it was possible to lay track, the reasons for the articulated forms arose. All the low grade rise per mile routes were already in use, but larger scale logging by mechanization took railroad building into places formerly considered impossible. Trains could also get longer, needing helper engines, once air brakes were common. Traction then began to be a problem on roads built for the American 4-4-0s. One reason Mallet may have designed his loco for compound beside the fact that compound steam engines at sea were coming into use to save coal and travel further, was the quality of the steam seal at the articulation point would not matter so much if it was lower in pressure. As even higher pressures became possible with longer stroke pistons I think the seal improvements followed that made a simplex design possible at the higher working mainline speeds. Certainly not having to coordinate two engines allowed for higher speed, longer trains and of course smaller crew size. Towards the end of steam, it was the extra traction of more drivers on the rails that governed decisions by traditionalists not ready to embrace the diesel-electric transition. Steam turbines were a big success at sea, but failed miserably on the railroads. On a different subject, the Garrett was an answer to the very tall large engines we Americans could use in the west, but tunnel size precluded in other parts of the world. Your illustration doesn't show that the very large boiler sat suspended like a bridge,low between the two traction articulation sections at each end, one weighted by the water tank, the other weighted by coal tender. No Garret could equal the Big Boy, and no Big boy could negotiate the older tunnels in the East Coast of the U.S. that governed the size of engine in use there. New tunnels under the Hudson, through D.C. and elsewhere would be needed to use western high level equipment, should this country seriously want to improve rail service in the east.

[@average_joe8905]

Great video, Mike!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@michaelpham8368]

The Articulated Locomotive: *The BEHEMOTH of the Rails*

[@vivyan92]

Before the end of this year, I was wondering if you have the opportunity to ride on Via Rail Canada which I know The Canadian is one of them? I just thought you would do the same just like on Amtrak’s Auto Train.

[@CoasterFan2105]

That would be fun to do, but probably won't be this year. The Canadian is suspended through November 1st apparently.

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Nice video!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@southerncrescentproductions]

Train Talk Idea: Via Rail Canada. System routes and how it relates to Amtrak

[@victortapia5444]

The Big boy Steam locomotive is so Amazing

[@DistanceNsVeterans]

Ya and those PRR locos some the big engines HAVE BIG oh tenders gezz I like those type of tenders big large ones loco I bet they had lots of coal in those big things

[@DKS225]

With Rigid-framed engines they had a drawback. The Longer the locomotive grew The more it became like a centipede with a stiff neck with as you have said Mike negotiating tight curves The Mallet's origins go right back to 1888 with a Swiss French Engineer Anatole Mallet.

[@mattsworld2162]

cool

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@longmonttrains548]

Yesssssssssss black hills steam

[@Chuck59ish]

Great video.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you, Charles.

[@CN_Planefanner]

Recently, I was able to visit the Skookum at Niles

[@srgntsylveon2919]

Did you know that over on the other side of the pond we had some garrets owned by the LMS in the days of the big four

[@CoasterFan2105]

I've heard about that! In fact, the color selection for my illustration was somewhat inspired by the LMS.

[@moistbread86]

You also forgot to mention that not all duplex locomotives were articulated, like the PRR T-1. There were also rigid-framed mallets with only a single engine unit in use.

[@ungowa1002]

Thanks for a great explanation

[@murmist01]

Steam trains are so beautiful

[@williamkesler2373]

Good episode, as always. But it seemed like there was way too much repetition

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I will take that into consideration for future episodes.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Calumet and Hecla “Cal-You-Met and Heck-La” Not “Cam-You-Let”. Sincerely, a Michigander

[@CoasterFan2105]

Future note to self - don't record narration at 2 in the morning! I even have it right in the script. Oops!

[@snifrbelin]

How did they get the steam to the articulated bogie? A flexible hose? That would need to handle hot and high pressure steam….

[@silverengine3769]

What do you call a wheel arrangement for a diesel and a electric locomotive?

[@RascalTrainz]

You should do a train talk on. GE rebuilds

[@ethanthedabking4171]

isnt episode 28 instead of episode 10?

[@CoasterFan2105]

Yes, this is episode 28. Episode 10 was about steam locomotive wheel arrangements. I mentioned it in this video in case people wanted to go back to it for reference.

[@HomerPenguin5516]

My favorite is the Union Pacific big boy 4014

[@CoasterFan2105]

Mine too!

[@BILL-2002hst]

Do articulated electric locomotives

[@CoasterFan2105]

There were only a few of them in the US so I may do something on them at some point, but it will probably be a little while before I get to it.

[@BILL-2002hst]

@@CoasterFan2105 ok

[@anasonia4830]

Do the MP36 locomotive pls!!!!!

[@CoasterFan2105]

That is definitely on the list!

[@crvcrfing]

Wait. So PRR Duplexes were rigid frame locomotives? O.O

[@CoasterFan2105]

Correct. Duplexes were pretty rare and for the most part, just experimental locomotives in the US.

[@crvcrfing]

Damn! Still sexier than anything else. Wish they were in Train Simulator

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Southern Pacific Cab Forward 4294 Is My Favorite Articulated Steam Locomotive

[@KAAKKK]

What’s the difference between articulated and duplex?

[@BlindingLight]

Articulated locomotives are the train equivalent of dinosaurs

[@jtmc1689]

This is the hugest train ever steam engine called new union pacific big boy Lol

[@kristinslocum2780]

Elm 950 I have Kohl

[@randyfleet9968]

Waaaay toooo much talk about anything but a articulated engine. Not why I clicked on this!