Driving & firing a steam locomotive - what happens on the run

Have you ever wondered how to drive & fire a steam locomotive? Well join us on this virtual ride up the line with a footplate crew and find out just what happens on the footplate while we're on the run including seeing how the fireman keeps up a good head of steam, how the driver uses that steam to make the locomotive go and some of the complexities of the job! All talked through by one of our firing instructors.
To find out more about how locomotives use the steam from the boiler check out • Boilers - Part 2 'Usin...
To find out more about how train brakes work watch • Brakes - Will My Train...
www.watercressline.co.uk​​​​​​
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[@paulnorthcott6634]

Having gone through the training from Cleaner to Fireman on the Bluebell Railway, it’s constant work for the fireman, at the end of a 12 hour shift I was exhausted. As well as dealing with the firing, injectors, blowers, dampers, the fireman is also a second pair of eyes on the signals. Great video, very informative, and great firing by Jack.

[@cathybonner9437]

I volunteer on the Bluebell too. I can imagine how tiring a 12hr shift can be! Something I don't realise how much work goes on behind the scenes

[@michaelmurray7199]

I bet you never had trouble falling asleep at night. What kind of work did you do as a Cleaner, if I may ask?

[@toboldygo5823]

This is the pinnacle of man’s love for machinery a lot of moving parts things to oil 🤔😌👍🏻✨❤️‍🔥✨

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Loved this video. Keeping her stoked is a dance. And judging by the blow from her stack and the sound of her strokes, she was puffing along quite happily.

[@martingillard6572]

Had a fantastic driving experience two years ago. A great time... if a tad hot!

[@bryjan51]

An excellent narrative well done David 👍👍

[@dinohdan]

The video I have been waiting for! A cab ride 😀

[@blue46gt]

This is a wonderful video that really educates the viewer on how a steam locomotive is operated. Well done!

[@barry5787]

Where it is, what it does, when to use it, why to use it and how to use it. Probably the best tutorial I have seen, well done and many thanks.

[@declanjoyce8640]

What a great episode and well narrated...

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Coal fired steamship Titanic

[@kevp9601]

This is Why I Love The Railways. :-D

[@DomQuartuccio]

Great insight, always good seeing how a crew operates the locomotive and train accordingly.

[@VT29steamtrain]

never expected to see you here :P

[@kevp9601]

5 and a Half Rating Stars for Very-Very-Excellent. :-D

[@eliotreader8220]

very interesting episode

[@christophersinclair6155]

Excellent presentation, informative and also entertaining

[@xxxxxxxxxxhardy]

Its nice to see this skilled job finally being acknowledged.Thousands of men did this job day in,day out ,in all weathers.My grandfather,father and uncle were all footplatemen on the LMS. I must admit that I do not particularly like preserved lines with their too shiny puffers ,and people playing at being railwaymen.As my father used to say, "At two in the morning on a rainy night going tender first on an open cab engine is no ones idea of glamour.

[@timfairweather7568]

Fascinating, I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.

[@kevp9601]

I Love Steam Locomotive Engineers!

[@petermarchbank7739]

great video as allways thank you for what you all do in keeping heritage of steam open for everyone to enjoy

[@kennethhume8628]

Exceptional video .

[@Linda2]

Thankyou so much. I am learning how these beautiful machines come alive and all what goes into them.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

Very clear exposition of what's involved.

[@Oblivionlucifer]

Just love it! Thanks

[@markknowles6374]

Excellent video, really informative and well produced, thanks all.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Pure magic David. A well produced video. Can't wait to ride the rails in 2022. 🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@davidberlanny3308]

Very well explained. Well done

[@LittlewoodJunction]

Always trying to learn new stuff for the future, thanks very much for the video!

[@stephenrice4554]

I've had the pleasure of riding on the watercress line several times , used to buy our watercress from those beds in the 60s . That is a very clear demonstration of actions inside the cab , hills , valleys , platforms etc . One of the clearest . Great video 👍🇬🇧

[@larryduncan6756]

I NOW KNOW WHAT HARD WORK THE FIREMAN HAS,I SAY THANKS TO YOU ALL,!

[@johntait491]

Well filmed and produced. Informative and interesting. Thank you. ;-)

[@TheTouristLine]

Really well made video, I enjoyed this!

[@lrochfort]

I did one of the "drive a loco" days on the Watercress line. Highly recommended. I think it may even have been this engine.

[@michaeltrufitt5477]

Really enjoyed watching this and the explanation of everything 😀👍

[@martynbuzzing3327]

That was very interesting. A busy time for the footplate.

[@axldelticwalton1238]

I love your video's. Very professionally presented and can't wait to visit for the first time next year as soon as i can.

[@HarmanMotorWorks]

Lovely video, thank you!

[@paulshirley6383]

Mid Hants Railway 'The Watercress Line' LOVE LOUIS SHIRLEY

[@kevp9601]

Go, Steam Locomotive Engineers, Go!

[@keithpearson7539]

Really good video. Thank you!

[@I-T-S-M-E]

Really enjoyed this, great to see how its done.

[@kevp9601]

Awesome Town USA

[@nielsleenknegt5839]

Basically, if you have to little water in the boiler, so "severe" that the firebox gets uncoverd (aka is not fully surrounded by water anymore), you have big problems. Your choo choo will explode on you.

[@petersmith4455]

hi great video.why dont steam locos have wiper blades like 08s ? if it is raining hard how do you see out especially main line locos like Mallard etc doing full speed in the rain.i will stick with diesels, all these videos are great

[@bassmechanic237]

Awesome

[@michaelteasdill6410]

Great job and maybe a video on what happens at the end of day Dumping the fire ash, watering and coaling I guess. How long will the locomotive have steam to move without a fire?

[@robertdarcy2168]

'FASCINATING' Always a job I'd fancied being FIREMAN. Course I'm not of the era of a Professional. A most Instructional Tutorial. Lovely to admire Man and Machine working with Optimum Efficiency. Have learned a considerable amount. A Most Appreciative Raptor Rob 👌

[@jakemiketta3868]

How do they keep cool in summer? There’s no air conditioner or fan in the cab.

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

More tutorials like this!

[@paulmonce7625]

I've been a fireman and engineer on a steam engine here in the U.S. I've always wondered why the fireman in the UK doesn't wear gloves to protect his hands. But always has a rag in his hand. I assume in case he touches something hot?

[@MrDibbsey]

Some firemen do, but it's not always warranted. Generally not an issue on most engines but some prefer it fow a wide box. It's very much a personal preference.

[@USMC_BABE38]

Where are you located this is my dream to learn how to drive a steam locomotive

[@denbaker7358]

Would you be willing to do a video on train sim world 2 or train sim world 3 to see how accurate it is please

[@danielferstendig]

It's thomas driver fireman

[@emersongrace4815]

where would one earn the qualifications to be a fireman? are there training programs or apprenticeships?

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

It appears that there are 2 identical electrical symbols on the rear of the tender. Is that what they are? And if so, why are they there? A curious American rail fan.

[@nightowlnzab]

They warn of the possibility of overhead electrical wires (above the track) - this is likely a requirement to be displayed on locos that may run on the national network, where overhead lines (or third rail) are common for powering electric trains.

[@stephenrice4554]

Everyone working up from the basic , it's the only way to learn a job properly. Classrooms have their place if worked along with practice experience, like the old apprenticeship

[@razinninja748]

Razin ninja

[@tomhind266d6]

The rules for a fireman is you dont put coal and water in at the same time and you have controled fireing 6 shovelfulls 3 to the left 3 to the right not like your man is doing in your film one or two just thrown in sorry if he had fired like that in my day he would have failed

[@marcusmcdonald8401]

Yes I'm sure a class 2 on a short freight at a 25mph speed limit on a pres line is highly comparable to whatever it is you claim to have done. Think you could do better? Why not volunteer then like these fine chaps.

[@WillStratford]

I can safely say that rounds of 6 is a bad idea with this locomotive considering the load and size of the grate. Very easy to choke the fire and / or cause a very excessive amount of black smoke which helps no one. Jack seems to be doing a very good job and is firing 'little and often' and placing the coal where it is required. Granted a few shots makes it look like he's only done 1 shovel but that's editing rather than what actually happened. Regarding the injectors, on a line as steep as 1 in 60, you would be doing well to manage to successfully alternate between firing and using the injectors without having to stop. Let's not forget that a number of locomotives e.g. Cheltenham and Lord Nelson have exhaust injectors fitted with the idea being that they can be left on. On long climbs like you find at the railway you could find your water level dangerously low pretty quickly if you kept starting and stopping the injectors in between firing. Another example would be the 7f, in practice you need an injector on continuously when climbing the hill to account for the water being used, and that was designed for even steeper and longer hills than we have! All in all Jack is doing an excellent job which is why I chose this particular run to publish. His boiler control is good, periodic firing little and often rather than bailing more than is required i.e. 2-3 per round instead of 6, and will make an excellent fireman.

[@sydneymartin6941]

@@marcusmcdonald8401 That fireman is doing an awesome job However he is firing with muscle and not with brain If he fires with brain he can enjoy the train ride more and not be so exhausted at the end of his shift