Erie Steam Shovel at Threlkeld Quarry

The Erie Steam Shovel, normally resident on the Statfold Barn Railway, visiting Threlkeld Quarry during a 30742 charters event, July 2015

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

For those critical of the operator's performance, you should know that, even back in their heyday, steam shovels were considered awkward and difficult to control.

[@blockstacker5614]

the controls are definitely much more complex compared to a modern excavator, and its probably harder to get regular practice operating one nowadays as well.

[@midway27272727]

He did good

[@joeskis]

How would you possibly know that?

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

@@joeskis Same way anyone else would- by reading a book written by someone who operated them in their heyday. :)

[@L3GHO5T]

As a fully licensed operator who’s been running machine full time for 16 years now 7 years on a to 9 years in construction rubbing mostly ex and dozer. You can just tell by looking at the controls how hard this truly would be to operate. Nothing like hydraulics how easy and accurate can be depending how you are on the controls, this is all done by winch being powered by a steam engine with a hand held rip cord for a bucket dump. This would be one absolute unit to operate. Probally super dangerous under-load from an open front and steel wench cables all around youre head and from the back with hi pressure steam blow out. So much respect for these old rigs and the guys who ran them day in day out

[@stevenspaziani9159]

Well, he's no Mike Mulligan, but what a lucky guy to be operating something as old and cool as that.

[@microbusss]

I think Mary Ann was designed after a Erie Shovel

[@stevenspaziani9159]

@@microbusss Sure does look like it was, Maryanne was an awesome piece of machinery. She could dig as much in a day as 100 men could in a week. I wonder how many people actually remember that book.

[@microbusss]

@@stevenspaziani9159 ME! cause I OWN it & its 2 words Mary Ann & no E need to get Choo-Choo next 😜

[@Gauge167]

That was my absolute favorite book as a child. I still have it and I'm 31

[@brainfulify]

@@stevenspaziani9159 first thing i thought of as i watched this

[@jameshollen9723]

think about this ! This is what was used to dig the Panama Canal !

[@explosivemallard8038]

True, but not without plenty of manual labor under questionable practices.

[@edwardrook8146]

Somehow I think the guys who did the canal were better operators

[@williammorgan2366]

think about this the man that is controlling this is not a professional at it but he still pretty good since no one uses those

[@hobomike6935]

It's very difficult-looking to operate, look at the ridiculous amounts of controls! they've got cranks, pulleys, levels, dials, what looks like some foot pedals in the floor, and who-knows-what else! I certainly couldn't do it without looking like a klutz

[@jakubal-ali5445]

The gear rotating and steaming is so satisfying to listen to.

[@goddagogeddagabbagool]

Giant old machinery like this in operating condition is just amazing. I'd pay to operate this for just little bit even.

[@jakubal-ali5445]

@Scott Robinson 4 US DOLLARS (Dollars are originally from Czech Tolars, i think silver coins, but I am not sure...)

[@MH-WM]

Everything by feel, not as easy as you might think. Anticipating the hoist/dipper brakes, and how touchy they are depending on wear, temperature, humidity and so on.

[@jamesdantonio7235]

Exactly learned on older equipment all in the feel Thank you

[@joebob9414]

I’m surprised how fast it is honestly that’s crazy

[@peteraugust5295]

And that is with lose gravel that was dumped there a day before. Imagine how fats that is in compressed soil with rocks in it haha

[@SecretPesch]

That looks incredible useless compared to what we have nowadays. Glad theres not much steam machines these days

[@peteraugust5295]

@@SecretPesch true. It strieks me often when I see old equipment, that what they had for comparison was two hands and a shovel. Compared to this that is fantastic haha.

[@219Pyro]

@@SecretPesch respect the history

[@KYPMbangi]

@@peteraugust5295 Back in the days they would detonate the hard soil & rocks with tnt first, then this thing would go in later

[@dominiccoscarelli305]

Imagine the amount of effort the operator's of these steam shovels had to put in. They probably got a good work out in with all the levers they have to pull.

[@christopheracosta2043]

Mike Mulligan had a steam shovel, a beautiful red steam shovel. Her name was Mary Anne. Mike Mulligan was proud of Mary Anne. He always said that she could dig much in a day as a hundred men could dig in a week, but he never been quite sure that this was true.

[@amyyoung2830]

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Ann brought to life!

[@michaelmittelsdorf]

That was my favorite book when I was a young boy! My thoughts exactly!

[@MH-WM]

Ironically, I just found and read that book recently lol😄

[@e.hellbrand9707]

I think mike would have been better at the controls.

[@XCrawlFan]

You can see with the organic movements, how it almost looks alive...

[@lowercherty]

Imagine what these looked and sounded like back in the day with competent operators and a good pit/track layout.

[@markmark2080]

It must have been fascinating to watch back in it's day, what a wonderful old mechanical contraption, just like steam locomotives. I'd love to operate one for a day and see if I could get some rhythm going, prefer to not have anyone watching, though.

[@aaronmccutcheon]

You'd definitely get a rhythm going and it would be completely awesome when you did!

[@austinwagoncompany]

that's probably how my first day would go

[@madarayyuuu5847]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SOU6900]

That's how my first month would go.😅

[@user-xv7hi6fb8v]

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[@Sopixil]

@@user-xv7hi6fb8v dude shut the fuck up

[@user-xv7hi6fb8v]

@@Sopixil Do not be closed to not block your mind, new science and knowledge, be positive

[@EricBarbman]

Amazing. Those where mythological figures to me as a kid, from the famous Donald Duck/Scrooge comic (with their Christmas battle)... I'm so happy to see one in action :D

[@gidoe4441]

Love this pulley design, so ingenious to have thought of a system so simple, yet so functional.

[@backachershomestead]

Maneuverability, That's close enough!

[@danielschmidt2541]

I can only imagine how difficult controlling this beast must be.

[@57629589]

So in reality it should have been..." Mike Mulligan, some other guy, and his steam shovel" right?

[@Imintune...]

When steam was king, it operated everything including cars and trucks.

[@Arvipa.]

In north korea they still use steam to power some trucks

[@EngineEngineer]

Sherlock fucking Holmes over here....

[@rob5598]

I was expecting a "F off you" just as soon as his bucket knocked the 2nd container down. 😅

[@union310]

Well my old lad will wet himself watching this when lockdown ends. He used to do 12 hour shifts seven days a week on these

[@greatwesternproductions2857]

“Careful Bumble-Bucket!”

[@eliseorossiproductions6348]

"Sorry" Said Ned Cheerfuly

[@Station_Master_13]

Jack jumped in

[@davidthurmond2466]

Dam must have been his first day on the job yes boss man I can operate any heavy equipment lol

[@mikezahnow1605]

I bet you couldn't do any better.

[@SMGJohn]

@@mikezahnow1605 He never claimed to do though kid

[@EvatronX]

all 3 of these comments are paint drinkers

[@Erik_Blomgren]

@@EvatronX Yes

[@stepaushi]

👎

[@doct0rnic]

I love how they used wear suits for all occasions

[@markeverson5849]

Wow nice job filming and operating the old steam shovel I'm not going to judge anybody he's doing an excellent job it's a real privilege to be able to watch and look at all the work time and money that went into rescuing

[@yerwrng]

I hear the steam engine is coming back during the next 4 years along with the horse and buggy as part of moving forward with the new administration .

[@alcopower5710]

Love watching these old shovels

[@claymore5347]

I didn't even know that there were excavators powered by steam! Awesome!

[@KB4QAA]

"Steam Shovel".

[@samanli-tw3id]

@@KB4QAAback in then excavators were called shovels

[@Curien247]

At the beginning of the industrial age, more art than science.

[@thatoneguy5205]

Why dont we use these anymore? Like could we not still be using steam technology, just better applied?

[@rustybycyclebragg9258]

Graham performed very well with his new excavator a restoration of gold dust lovely man and a equally lovely machine very well done!!

[@gasser5001]

This man would make bank in the 1800s. There's no precision in these machines so don't knock the dudes skill. He's on point.

[@TheRickeyracoon123]

Reminds me alot with old black and white cartoons! Disney mostly! But this is very amazing! all in action and very reliable!

[@TheDoug2103]

i ran a hitachi shovel for 10 years, you could have put 2 of these machines in my bucket. i love knowing ive run the big of the big.

[@ycs1466]

I would sit and watch it all day long.

[@grahamdeakin2790]

truly amazing , never seen a steam navvy working like that

[@GCALcontent]

That is just brilliant. An absolute treasure!

[@chrisnewman7281]

You can see why the introduction Hydraulics consigned these beasts to the scrapheap. Still have their charms

[@PlanetMojo]

They dug the Panama canal with these. Awesome history behind the steam shovel.

[@jameshuffman835]

Smooth and steady! Not fast and jerky!! Let the machine work, don't work the machine!

[@Thatnegroswag]

For heavy machinery it’s really quiet

[@skeets6060]

That looks like a pretty steep learning curve

[@Dr_Won_Hung_Lo]

These things are VERY hard to operate! These types of shovels were built in Marion, Oh & Bucyrus, Oh. I know people who still use these and they're hard to operate.

[@steamgent4592]

Beautifully restored and seems to be running in good order 👍👍

[@ianboard3555]

A steam engine would probably be pretty good for this - they are really good at producing torque.

[@That_One_Guy_In_A_Band]

This technically is a steam engine. Just, not a locomotive. There were some self propelled rail mounted steam shovels, though, which I guess could technically be classified as locomotives.

[@cmw184]

Seriously one of the coolest sounding machines to date

[@davidsampson4329]

my day felt so much better when the last car tipped all that effort on the floor sums up my life

[@kiloton1920]

This is way cooler than modern technology this is truly a magical machine

[@bmw3-er]

i only saw one of these in old cartoons. Cool machine!

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Great clip. Thank you for sharing

[@KB-2323]

I just love love love this because you can hear every noise this beast makes, great video in deed

[@alexiecolon2619]

What year is this piece of classic machine

[@raptorf_2228]

Yes, this is very nice and useful for its time, and respectable for us, those things were starting the new technology and progress era ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@stiffygoats5337]

This for some reason reminds me of the snakes from the movie 9 they sound really similar with the random Erie mechanical sounds Edit: it’s the seamstress actually and here’s the clip of the movie for reference if anyone’s wondering

[@Robinallenyukon]

i went to my local library for a book sale a few years back ... bought Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel and Make Way for the Highway .... it as a bidding war on both but for a good cause !!

[@shable1436]

Imagine the amount of cable snaps and whip around killing the operators, what a death trap

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

Fred Flintstone ran one of these at Mr. Slate's quarry ...

[@nicke.2066]

Nice machine , strong , robust and cool design

[@getl0st]

This guy has MAD Operator Skills....

[@99Getrdone]

Nice never knew they had excavators that were steam drivin.

[@Gearz-365]

Steam power was everything back then

[@nightlightabcd]

Apparently, the operator is new at thins!

[@markgriffiths3630]

I wonder if they have green yellow and red logs like in back to the future to get it super digging powers

[@tonnehead777]

That's amazing, it looks and sounds alive! Must be some serious wear on that arm though.

[@sigglass2183]

Are there any steam shovels still in use as of this writing?

[@Gearz-365]

There's a couple. I don't exactly remember where but there are still places that use these beautiful machines

[@hobomike6935]

they're definitely still around, although uncommon, but more for historical preservation now than for official work. Steam shovels are just outclassed by modern excavators. they're faster, easier to control, can typically lift greater loads and work for longer, and are safer for the operator

[@amarildoferreira8863]

Na época era uma bela máquina hein muito bom relembrar o passado 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rosewhite---]

Baffles me how that bucket latch work with just a short pull. I'd think all the weight on the door would make the latch jam really tight but operator only needs to give a short pull.

[@spotmikestudios1020]

You know, what I love about steam shevols they seem almost alive, if you look at it in a different way. :)

[@bretthoule8343]

Running on water, just like we do!

[@lottsaquatics4385]

Cutting edge technology 200 years ago. People would’ve been lined up for miles just to see it work

[@robertclark4929]

Looks like it needs some pin and bushing work.

[@BMWS1000RRR]

My ears are gone. I was listening at 100%

[@samanli-tw3id]

Way quieter than a diesel excavator, you can do a construction without disturbing your neighbor's midday nap!

[@stevedunmark6034]

samanli2014 shut up

[@t_train3796]

That's about how I thought this was gonna end

[@woozhi9218]

How long can these run given full charcoal in the cabin?

[@redDL89]

Pretty interesting to see that the excavator relied solely on a pulley system. I guess hydraulic technology was very limited back then.

[@xavierolle]

😂😂 awesome to see one working! 😍

[@paulbetka6477]

Is that like the one they pulled outta Wixom Lake. ❓❓

[@peteraugust5295]

Congratulations Sir! your house is gone and your horses are crushed but here is your new pond!

[@perrinayebarra]

This is straight out of a steampunk fantasy.

[@bandit8720]

The old man in his element ..... cool!

[@kingfiremonster7916]

Mike Mulligan and the stream shovel

[@nb7466]

Ita so weird how quit it is when it slows down. Iv been on constructions sites alit and i dont wanna hear a diesel when i get hone

[@mericavids]

The operating manual is 2 foot thick

[@monsterstereos1836]

I'm rather surprised how quiet it is. I thought it would sound like an old steam locomotive!

[@wayahedia9989]

Well.. now we know what the broom on the side of that steam shovel is for.

[@triple6758]

Hydraulics changed this from laborer to operator.

[@C1Ansy]

I wonder if this design is really clever or just the best what could be done at this time

[@dumper87]

Steam and cables are trickier than diesel and hydraulics. Who would’ve guessed?

[@VinaX2R]

What year is this machine from?

[@off_mah_lawn2074]

Wow that is shockingly quiet

[@acersalman8258]

beautiful machine very good I love 💘 it

[@GERntleMAN]

Imagine, this was a reality at some point. Amazing...

[@lyt_w8t]

That guy was having great fun!

[@NobenStudio]

This video was amusing and fascinating. Loved it.

[@leogreck9984]

A machine made up interly out of mecanical parts. And to not stay in that age is why we added electronics. Not to make them more unreliable and harder to work on, thats just a fun little sideffect.

[@halo3odst]

undeniably awesome.

[@MrX21B]

If that hole gets too deep you won’t be able to get all the way out of it

[@TT-hi1qv]

Very cool to see it working! Nice job!

[@jimmychanbers2424]

Was he going to dump more on the one he knocked over?

[@pimuce]

End of last century !

[@wyyrdojim]

How old is this thing? Looks like a hand full to operate.😎

[@CodyShell]

The silence is eerie

[@mattakeet773]

We sure have come a long way. That thing looks like a pain in the ass to operate.