EPIC Steam Locomotive Wheel Slip

[@VinnyMartello]

A steam locomotive is nothing more than a piece of industrial equipment, an oversized pressure cooker. And yet… it’s one of the most beautiful and fascinating things we have ever seen.

[@joerivers1768]

A boiler with 250# of steam pressure is not an oversized pressure cooker It's a very large BOMB!

[@whogavehimafork]

The most beautiful pressure cookers on earth

[@andreas7136]

My pressure cooker has no wheels!

[@ИринаРатникова-т7п]

Главное едет на воде и на всем, что горит😁🥰

[@bill091086]

@@joerivers1768: wimpy Karen. 🙄🙄🙄

[@ernshaw78]

When you see gorgeous moving pieces of machinery like this, you can't help but feel we have let our standards fall in terms of beauty. What a skill it was to crew and man these and what beautiful technology they still are.

[@coopercovelo]

look up "golden spike national historic site locomotives" as those are even more works of art... Back when people cared about how things looked for sure.

[@MdAli-jv5li]

0

[@syedammarkhalid3695]

Thing is that these trains were very hard to maintain and required tons of labour, which of course wanst good for revenue for train companies. I still love them though, engineering marvels, and to think these were designed using a paper and pencil

[@howardfishman3937]

@@coopercovelo L

[@wowplayer160]

That's called rose colored glasses. At some point in the future someone is gonna say the same thing about trains now.

[@thomasmackowiak]

Those wheels were really slipping as the engine started around the wye. The crew did a great job of controlling the wheel slippage to keep the train moving. Thank you for documenting this!

[@Green4321]

Why was there so much wheel slip? Looks like there were only three cars attached?

[@Green4321]

I just read the answer in the description.

[@oriontaylor]

Especially since nobody let it get out of control and “Blue Petered” 4501.

[@ThePaulv12]

@@Green4321 Going around a sharp bend I'd say. There's no differential action of the wheels to account for the different radii of the rails so wheel slip could be induced by this. I couldn't see the wheel sanders working. It's possible this was deliberate since it was being filmed - either that or they were working and I'm wrong.

[@ICUNA22]

@@ThePaulv12 At first I didn't think there were sanding pipes for reverse moves, but there is one behind the third driver. Maybe they were out of sand or maybe the sand pipes were blocked with wet sand (it happens...). Could have been on wet, greasy or oily rail, especially if there was a flange lubricator for the curve. Excellent throttle control during this move!!!

[@crazy8ights686]

The scene in which the #4501 rounds the bend before the tunnel with the whistle blowing is incredible. Feels like this is how it would have been 80 years ago. Thank you and stay safe!

[@HashDogg06]

It gave me chills down my spine as a haunting sense came over me, what a great feeling.

[@howardsimpson489]

Less than 80, I am 74 and remember icy morning wheel slip.

[@jmeyer3rn]

This is truly beautiful.

[@jmeyer3rn]

7:10 it may have been an era when these locomotives got old school that locomotives did not impress but which era was that? I still say this is a living breathing beast that humans must just must stand in awe.

[@juans6639]

I am 77 years old and remember these beautiful Iron beasts while growing up in the 1950s. My beloved late father worked 38 years for Southern Pacific on the Bridge and Carpenter Gang. I have fond memories and pictures of him. One in particular catching Hot rivets. R.I.P. Beloved Dad.

[@ferdinandfrancis9673]

R.I.P. Beloved Dad🙏

[@Fierce_link10]

R.I.P beloved guardian 😢

[@alexhaplau-colan5414]

They can talk, when I was a kid I was fascinated by them. Is almost human the way they talk, you can feel the effort on them. Wonderful machine!

[@V0latyleUSMC]

Great talent at the throttle, he didn't even let them slip a full revolution.

[@Indianoffroadtrucks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGrFeWaDYpqcj6c

[@nigelterry9299]

Driver knows his stuff. Also the throttle design is excellent, allowing fingertip control.

[@RichMelvin]

There’s nothing special about the throttle in the 4501. It’s a single-valve dome throttle, just like thousands of other steam locomotives built in that era. However, there is DEFINITELY something special about the engineer. He did a masterful job of controlling the slips, never letting the engine run away and slip violently. My hat’s off to him, whoever he is.

[@datguymiller]

It feels like he's intentionally quarter slipping the engine imo, just to give us a show

[@RichMelvin]

@@datguymiller I don’t think so. He is feeling for the last notch of throttle that will give him maximum power without slipping. In this situation (sharp curve, backing, perhaps some lube on the rails), that is tough to do. I’ve been in situations like this when running NKP 765 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHyYiqWOq71jfJI.) It takes a steady hand on the throttle to keep the train moving without slipping.

[@ICUNA22]

It's amazing to see this locomotive still operating!! My wife and I chased it from Manassas to Front Royal, Va., back in 1974 when the Southern had its steam program!!! It was in the Crescent Green Southern paint at that time, even though that was never what it wore when in regular service. I like it in both paint versions - it looks really great here!

[@louGriggs1944]

I love this video. When I was about 8 or 9 we lived about 2 blocks from the DeButts yard in Chattanooga and the sound of steamers slipping their drivers trying to get heavy loads under way was just a common thing, night and day. Those wheel slips trigger pleasant memories for me. Thanks.

[@VERTEXXX.]

4:48 best moment and feeling of the whole video! what a beautiful moment and reminder. excellent machine

[@cmphighpower]

Love the sound of the steam whistle in the mountains ghostly

[@AP9575-jd]

Great picture. The whistle sound when she was approaching the tunnel was perfect. Nice work.

[@kam833]

fantastic job on the engine crew keeping that slipping to a minimum

[@bertmeinders6758]

Fifteen or twenty years ago, I was on a run from Wairoa to Napier. Our excursion organiser had put on one car too many, and the line had a ruling gradient of 2^%. The driver, as in this video, skilfully walked the train up to 3 successive crests on the throttle.

[@howardsimpson489]

Al it took was frost on the Christchurch rails in early morning and the best loco would slip.

[@lawrencemahalak6824]

4501 was one of the first steam locos I remember seeing as a kid. Glad to see her still strutting her stuff, although nothing can take the place of that Southern green and gold she used to wear so magnificently.

[@bigalspitzer]

That was awesome being here for the premiere awesome video of 4501 thanks 😊

[@markusrobinson3858]

Beautifully filmed! Well done. You captured the spirit of @4501 chuffing her way home.

[@charliedew306]

Engine 70 at dollywood was slipping a bit Saturday when we rode it for 1st run of the day. Good times it's a 1938 Baldwin narrow gage 2-8-2 from the Yukon and white pass rr Alaska. Now in Tn. They also have a sister Engine #192

[@rogerlollar4325]

I've been on that trained before

[@RailfanLoy]

I live 3 hours away from those locomotives

[@amyreynolds3619]

I ridden in the cab of that locomotive in 1987.

[@RailfanLoy]

@@amyreynolds3619 wait they did cab rides

[@justahillbilly7777]

@@RailfanLoy Them and Tweetsie Railroad both at least used to do cab rides. There’s plenty of video of cab rides from both parks from the 4 locomotives between them. I’ve heard tell that Tweetsie still allows ‘em, and that you just gotta ask the crew during more regular operations, and not during certain special events. How true that is has not been validated though, so take that bit of hearsay with a grain of salt. Though the first and last time I tried asking for a cab ride at Dollywood a few short years ago, the crewman I was talking with said they had stopped doing them, much to my disappointment.

[@SignalLightProductions]

It's worth noting that 4501 is a very "slippery" engine to begin with. As one of the earlier Mikados built, Baldwin was still experimenting with design elements such as driver diameter. 4501 has larger drivers than most 2-8-2s and slips her wheels very easily even in dry conditions.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

Huh? Larger drivers than most 2-8-2s? What are you smoking? 63” was a very established driver diameter for Mikados. See WP, UP, SP, NKP, need I go on?

[@jacobwoods8738]

The increase of the boiler pressure from 175 to 200 (and slightly to 205 in 2014) PSI add to the slipperiness of 4501 as well. The factor of adhesion has dropped as a result of this and other modifications made to 4501 by the Southern in the 1920s and 1930s.

[@HashDogg06]

Is there a chance that it is spinning easy due to the tight curve of the track, just thought that may not help at these speeds.

[@SignalLightProductions]

@HashDogg06 absolutely. Curves have the same effect as grades, so that isn't helping

[@fusilier3029]

@@jacobwoods8738 Just going to add some back of the envelope calculations and an explanation for the factor of adhesion for people that don't know. Factor of adhesion is the weight of the locomotive on the drivers (tractive weight) divided by the tractive effort of the locomotive. In the USA at least, the idealized factor of adhesion is 4. When less than 4, the locomotive is more likely to slip, while being over 4 means the locomotive is likely a bit overweighed for the tractive effort. Most locomotives were designed to be between 3.8 through 4.2. 4501 as built had a factor of adhesion of 4.18 when she was 175 PSI with 51,638 pounds of tractive effort. However, bumping up her boiler pressure to 205 PSI, this increased her tractive effort to 60,490 pounds. If the weight on her drivers remained the same as built, this would mean that the modern 4501 has a factor of adhesion of 3.57. Historically, many locomotive crews complained about locos that had a factor of adhesion 3.7 and below about slipping. Therefore, mathematically, 4501 can be considered a slippery locomotive. As from what other comments have said, there are other elements, curves, tonnage, grades and weather, however, I will not say it is the driver diameter's fault. She slips because she doesn't have as much weight compared to her current tractive effort.

[@Bearcats737]

hats off to the engineer, its incredibly hard to keep the engine from just taking off once it slips like that

[@kevp9601]

This is Why, I am Still in Love with the Railways

[@gokulkrishm51]

I really love when a twin cylinder motorcycle engine roars but this is unparalleled! Steam locomotives will always have a special place in my heart :)

[@pilot3016]

Moto Guzzi Le Mans guy here. V11..Nero Corsa. 👍

[@gokulkrishm51]

@@pilot3016 Ooohhh that's a great sounding bike! Looks very cool too! I really love how the Africa twin and Tenere sounds!

[@pilot3016]

@@gokulkrishm51 Thx. The Nero Corsa model came with OHLIN's too! Unfortunately they also have a oil pan, oil pick up at the front. Mine is being punished in storage. Total rebuild is needed along with a known oil pan mod to stop starvation. Sad. But what a bike to ride!

[@gokulkrishm51]

@@pilot3016 Ooh that's sad :'( I hope you can rebuild it soon enough :) Too bad India doesn't get every bike. So many great bikes never come to India. I really wanted to experience the Tenere first hand, but guess what, Yamaha has no plan to get it here anytime soon! Also it takes time for the updated international models to be updated here! And big bikes cost a fortune here, hahaha!

[@pilot3016]

@@gokulkrishm51 Best wishes to you.

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Only one word: EPIC!

[@CraftyFoxe]

The camera quality is so crisp!

[@andrewtheberkshireengine4385]

Agree! :D

[@nikesb9420]

WAIT WAIT WAIT Crafty foxe I whatch all of your videos

[@crsrdash-840b5]

I never get tired of seeing the old USRA in action. Proves how good of a locomotive they created!

[@dannyhonn973]

I think 4501 was built in 1912. About 5 years before USRA. Might have been a base to start with the 2-8-2 light

[@gerardnaturel4980]

The guy who is driving this loco is a real artist.

[@cadetkohr5508]

Wow, the engineer must have a lot of experience dealing with wheelslip to get her up that wye.

[@Indianoffroadtrucks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGrFeWaDYpqcj6c

[@bpp325]

This is a gorgeous 'mike'. It's a joy to watch steam engines operate as they once did when they dominated the land.

[@robos3809]

Shes not a "mike" shes a mikado

[@evanstauffer4470]

The sanders seem to be blowing air, but not applying sand. Cantankerous sanders are the nemesis of steam locomotive engineers everywhere.

[@darrelljones5960]

4501. My favorite next to 630. Ilive in Chattanooga and i go see these locos all the time.

[@tvm73827]

This is one of the nicest steam locomotive videos that I have ever seen. The video quality is excellent and the audio is mesmerizing! The composition is spectacular and very professional. Sorry for what seems like hyperbole but I absolutely mean every word I write in this review.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Thank you very much! You should subscribe. If you enjoyed this one, we have many more.

[@tvm73827]

@@DelayInBlockProductions Done!

[@santeebandit3246]

Absolutely stellar camera work. Just wonderful wonderful footage.

[@anthonyaveray1324]

Very well videoed. Lots of views of the driving wheels, that’s what I like to see. Even when the engine went past, the lens stayed on the wheels.. brilliant thank you.

[@FTStratLP]

Ma grandpa told the story, that when he was a kid him and his friends once put some soft soap onto the railroad tracks at a slight ascent near the village where he lived. Then the boys waited hidden behind trees watching the locomotives struggling climbing up the hill. 😁

[@victorcontreras9138]

Awesome video! I'm always in video heaven when I'm viewing RR stuff, especially old steam.

[@animal16365]

The 4501 has a storied career. She definitely was worked hard and now enjoys the life of pulling passengers.

[@jimterryh1983]

Excellent video especially capturing the whistle so well! Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@m18tankdestroyer43]

4501 is a beautiful engine!😎

[@lorettashepherd.]

She's a beauty. Nice catch on the wheel slip

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

These guys do very good work!

[@brycenew]

Big ups to the Engineer! Masterful control.

[@michaelstump6933]

2:00 The most elegant piece of machinery I've ever seen. It's a masterpiece.

[@robertheinkel6225]

At Disneyland, they have propane fueled steam engines. We hopped on one to get to the other side of the park, and get out of the rain. It couldn’t get out of the station, due to wet rails and a slight incline. They finally backed down the track to get a running start up that grade.

[@gabrielbennett5162]

I got to see the SP 4449 Daylight wheelslip like that once. She had been on display at the Oregon State Fair in Salem and there was a short string of Oregon Cherries tank cars blocking the track out onto the main line. Originally Union Pacific was supposed to bring a diesel in to switch them out of the way, but something or other happened that it wasn't available. So, Doyle McCormick, the 4449's engineer, got clearance to use the Daylight to move them out of the way; when she coupled on, she wheelslipped a bunch, but eventually got the job done. The 4449 is great when she's used as intended in fast passenger service and does decently well with freight, but a switcher she ain't.

[@joeslayter5841]

That was awesome. You could have left the entire tunnel run without an edit! It was that good. Beautiful work!

[@truckerray7533]

The wheels are pealing out on the shiny, smooth, wet steamed, track rail!!!

[@richardarsenault1471]

Absolutely amazing, I love this stuff ,people think I'm crazy

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

You’re not crazy. Welcome to the channel!

[@DDavis-co9ck]

Drayton, great Video! Looking forward to your live broadcasts to begin again! The 4501 was the bug that bit me when I was a child.

[@durgeshvelhal9304]

Love the whistle 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@billbanks4208]

Luv them old locomotives

[@peterzito1372]

Just beautiful love the steam and the whistle machines that ran on water and coal

[@captainpicard1701e]

I'm not aware of ever really seeing wheelslip in reverse. Great catch, Drayton!

[@Indianoffroadtrucks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGrFeWaDYpqcj6c

[@terrylyons3577]

4501 would come through fort Payne when I was a child. I went to school at Williams avenue School in the 1970s and two or three times a year that big locomotive would come through. We would all run to the windows and watch her pass. We could hear her whistle for miles before she got there. I lived on lookout mountain and when that train would come through, you could hear that whistle all out on the mountain. Fond memories of seeing that train come through fort Payne.

[@DivergingClear]

It could be the resolution I was watching at, but it looked as though the sanders were not in use during the backup move. That would have helped control the slippage if it wasn't, though sand would be an extra expense that they could avoid... running steam isn't cheap. That shot down the throat at Whiteside Tunnel is always a classic!

[@rossellis4365]

Very nice shot of the 4501 struggling around the wye!

[@STho205]

The engineer is not struggling. I live up here and see this one often. The guys are masters. The slip let's them blow off a little speed without braking or jerking the momentum. The can couple up and not even shudder your coffee. It's amazing to see outside and just as amazing in the cars. You have to look for the doubleheader runs videos in the fall. The bend around Rock Spring is like it is 1946. There was one freight run they were doing to get movie stock footage.. all the cars waiting at the grade crossing and at the Lafayette station were antiques.

[@davidfuller7792]

What a beautiful train! I even like the whistle

[@ToledoRails]

Right Place at the right time! Good catch

[@piotrry2321]

I never knew before that this suddent acceleration in engine frequency is a proof of wheel sleeping. I have heard this sound before a few times. Thanks!!

[@ecphorizer]

1:39: Love the way the conductor gently holds his mic!

[@nanopreechapond3000]

I think the wheels on steam trains are very charming when they turn.

[@acersalman8258]

Beautiful very beautiful good machine ❤

[@Reggyrail]

That was some first class driving

[@Ryans_Rail_Films]

Wow! Your videos are awesome and inspire my channel!

[@truefilm6991]

What a beauty! Looks like a light 2-8-2 Mikado with light duty trailing truck, built to USRA standards.

[@dannyhonn973]

Actually, I think 4501 is a 1912 product. Could have been starting point for the 2-8-2 light

[@3RTracing]

excellent whistle

[@bigblue6917]

Where I grow up in the UK we had a little British J-72 0-6-0 tank engine which delivered coal to a nearby coal merchant. I remember hearing it slipping on frosty mornings as it tried to get up an incline.

[@smitty9733]

It seems unbelievable to me that you can actually spin those wheels with the immense weight on top of them. Incredible power.

[@markjenkins2860]

4501 working beautifully.

[@billwatkins276]

Great audio! Beautiful shots of the locomotive. Engineer did a great job of managing the slips and just coaxing it back. Would love to have seen the throttle action on the other side of the boiler as the engineer was coaxing it along.

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

No surprise that the slipping would occur on the curve -- the wheels are guaranteed to slip a bit sideways because of the curve, and since dynamic friction is less than static friction, that little bit of slide slip primes them to slip in rotation.

[@danielgausden4529]

Thank you for the explanation, was wondering if it was a grade change or if the tracks were wet to slip like that never occurred to me that the curvature of the track might be responsible

[@robinhood48]

This engineer really know his stuff.

[@SONICX1027]

If only this crew was this skilled to keep Gordon from the Railway Series from having bad wheel slip and control it too

[@PAVANZYL]

What a lovely wood just after the tunnel! Lovely engine and well operated.

[@jonlannister345]

Amazing amount of torque. Simple piston just filling up with compressed steam

[@Banjo_Kemose]

Questa locomotiva è meravigliosa! 😍

[@icojb25]

Random question for all the experts ... once the steam is exhausted from the cylinders, where does it go? or alternatively, why does the smoke from the stack seem to sync with the power stroke of the engine? Does the used steam exhaust through the stack (and if so, why not just directly out of the valves) or why is there some pulsing in the smoke emitted from the chimney. From the little i knew i though combustion smoke / gas just travelled throught eh boiler tubes and then out of the "front part" of the boiler ... Thanks!

[@rossbryan6102]

THE VIDEO TITLE SHOULD READ- “EPIC THROTTLE HANDLING!!” THE WHEEL SLIP BEING WELL CONTROLLED!! KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!! 👍👍

[@the.porter.productions]

Greetings from the Ohio Porters.🇺🇸 What a beautiful piece of our railroad history!🤩 That was a tight curve & pushing some good weight! 🧐 That would be wonderful to ride & also catch while in motion!🥰 Great action! 🥰😎✌️

[@garrettsubproductions8705]

That is super cool seeing the big old SOUTHERN wheel slip

[@tomas5376]

It didn’t look like they were applying sand to help control that wheel slipping, but great control never less!🚂🚂🚂

[@rescue270]

They only use sand when absolutely necessary because it wears wheel tires and rails very rapidly. For excursion operators re-tiring locomotive driving wheels is a costly endeavor so they want them to last as long as possible. The tires have to be made to order these days. Back in the olden days the locomotive shops often kept sets of them in stock to enable faster turnaround times.

[@thomasdupee1440]

@@rescue270 Thank you for the clarification. I, too, wondered why no sand was being applied but thought that it was related to wear. Sand definitely works to increase adhesion but abrasives absolutely cause shorter service life.

[@martinsims1273]

I don't understand why very few loco's use the sanders these days. Slipping can burn the rails, and, if it gets away, can damage the crank axle & other parts.

[@smollsaladhonestmistakes9493]

Fantastic shots, however, who else agrees that 4501 looks better in green?

[@ReadingRailFilms]

Awesome 👌 dang that's crazy!

[@jandoerlidoe3412]

The engineer did a great job in controlling the wheel slip...

[@tracynation2820]

Superb. 💙 T.E.N.

[@kevp9601]

I Love That Steam Engine

[@zpw4501]

Awesome Drayton! I really need to get back up there to get the 01 this year

[@kevp9601]

I Love It a Lot

[@Marlene-Ferreira]

💫🌟❤🌟💫❤🌟💫 If I was on that LOCOMOTIVE... I would've been in my Element... I Love The Wheel Slips!!!! SO COOL!!! THESE GUYS ARE A TREAT!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 🌟❤🌟❤🌟❤🌟❤🌟I had to look it Up to Say How I wanted to Put it!! In French, "JE NE SAIS QUOI" literally means "I don't know what." IT'S USED TO CAPTURE AND INDESCRIBABLY, SPECIAL DISTINGUISHING FEATURE, THAT'S WHAT STEAM LOCOMOTIVES STAND FOR... FOR ME!! ME'S A GIRL!! I LOVE LOCOMOTIVES ❤😂❤😂❤😂❤

[@PortsmouthCherokee]

Thats just beautiful

[@Owackc]

Guys guys do you guys think that they put oli on the tracks to enable wheelslipping? Yes or no?

[@kevp9601]

Excellent

[@cliffweinan3907]

Great short video, capturing romance of steam; whistle is not a horn. Steam invented and used before most of us born. Amazing heavy shop labor that went into building and maintaining these locomotives on a mass scale that supported world war efforts. If every drop of oil is gone in future, they may have to rethink burning renewable fuel like wood again.

[@DerLabbeduddel]

Great Video, thank's a lot.

[@JodyBee]

I'm from Eustis Florida and I remember that Orlando northwestern passenger car and a few other goodies that are now apart of TVRM

[@covertops19Z]

Do any of these locomotives keep sand in their Sand Domes, to prevent/lessen wheel slip?? Which is hard on driving tires.

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

Oh man! 😍❤

[@kennewton9369]

Great sounding whistle.

[@marcoaloiar6811]

What makes the chuffing sound on a steam locomotive ?? Many thanks

[@danbedford5419]

Great video, luv them steam 🚂