How Do Steam Locomotives Work - Steam Engines Explained

This was probably one of the hardest things to animate, especially the rods and cranks. With more time I would've been able to fully and properly animate them - but, alas. Time was my enemy.
The video explains how steam locomotives use a fuel (usually coal) to start a fire and get water boiling, in order to create steam, which drives the reciprocating piston. Much like a piston in your car, although there there's one tiny "explosion" that happens when the piston is on the top of the stroke (along with a few other pistons).
In reciprocating steam engines, pistons get pushed and pushed, meaning: They get pushed by pressurised steam from both sides, alternating (obviously). Using this back-and-forth motion, using a smart connection to the drive wheel - offsetting it from the center - you can get that wheel to move. And thus, move the train (and whatever it's pulling).
There are different types of steam engine, the most popular one (and the one used in most steam locomotives) is the reciprocating piston engine. A piston moves left and right, pushed by (super)heated steam. This directly drives the wheels.
A few things were skipped in the animation, such as the steam whistle or how the safety valve works. I also left out the superheater, because of time constraints. Basically, what a superheater does, is run the steam entering the main steam pipe and rerouting it passed the firetubes, thus further heating the steam. This to make absolutely sure the water in the steam is too hot to condens in the pistons.
Of course there is more to the story of locomotives and trains than just how they work, the whole idea of moving cargo by train is interesting. As is the rules of the road - or rail, rather - that apply.
🌏🌍🌎 Care to add your own language in subtitles?
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[@shirishyande6837]

Very rarely such a complex mechanism is explained so simply, making amateurs to understand easily.

[@evankoren]

I already knew all of this stuff, but it was still really cool and informative to people who don't like trains!

[@andribartolozzi]

Who cares

[@edwardkenway148]

@@andribartolozzi ikr

[@hanhdhsj]

It's not complex

[@harrythegamingboi7974]

It’s not complex at all

[@BalticFilms144]

There's a new fuel that's just now being used for steam locomotives. It's called torrefied biomass, or "brown coal" which burns hotter and more evenly than coal, and is much, much cleaner. It makes no smoke or soot. They tested this on small steam locomotives at the Milwaukee County Zoo and proved to be successful. A group is now restoring a full sized steam locomotive called Santa Fe 3463. It'll be converted to this new fuel and will run performance tests to see how much more successful steam locomotives could have been. While steam locomotives look slow and clunky, they were very reliable, powerful, and fast machines. What really killed them was maintenace costs. However, because they haven't had a chance to fully develop in their revenue years, it was later believed and proven, that steam locomotives can be just as cheap in labor as diesels.

[@samuelitooooo]

Amazing!!

[@danc101]

@KvAT torrefied biomass is organic waste (think sawdust or wood chips) that has been heated to make it chemically similar to coal, and then compressed in to briquettes. Its carbon neutral and burns like coal

[@tomr6955]

@@danc101 Carbon neutral, after all that work is done turning it into torrefied biomass?

[@danc101]

@@tomr6955 factories that produce such fuels are typically powered by wood waste making them carbon neutral. If they're not using carbon neutral energy then I agree it rather defeats the point of it.

[@praevasc4299]

There are several other problems besides the fuel inefficiency, maintenance, and pollution: - much more work-intensive to operate (although modern automation might reduce that somewhat) - it takes a long time to prepare. Big steam locomotives had to start their fires at least 10 hours before their scheduled start if they were cold. This costs both fuel and labor, and causes inflexibility in the scheduling. - the piston drive leads to significantly more wear and tear on the tracks - you need different locomotives for different tasks, high-speed passenger locomotives have big wheels so they can go fast, but they have less tractive force. To pull heavy cargo, you need smaller wheels and can't go as fast. - even if you have cheap bio-fuel, it might be more efficient to liquefy it and use it in internal combustion engines, as they are more efficient than external combustion engines. - they need a lot of water, which requires its own infrastructure I'm not saying that modern biofuel-burning steam locomotives aren't viable in some niche roles, but steam locomotives have many disadvantages even if you disregard the smoke and soot.

[@akronseabee]

Many of the early "boiler explosions" were actually caused by inattentive firemen allowing the firebox crown sheet to become uncovered and exposing to excessive boiler heat.

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Oh cool I didn't read up on reasons for these explosions and assumed it was down to pressures. Thanks!

[@bobbyhill4715]

What is the crown sheet?

[@k4kfh]

@@bobbyhill4715 The firebox is a hollow cavity that kind of "sticks up" into the part of the boiler that actually holds water. If you look in the animation at about 1:19, you can see that the section of the boiler directly above the firebox only has a little water on top of it since it is so much higher than the rest of the boiler. That metal sheet needs the water there to sort of "wick away" the heat, otherwise it will get way too hot and become unable to contain the pressure from within the boiler, resulting in an explosion. The reason an inattentive fireman might cause such an explosion is because the locomotive "consumes" the water in the boiler. The steam that exits the boiler to be used in the cylinders doesn't get put back, it just vents to the atmosphere. So by means of a steam-powered pump or a magical little device called a "water injector", water is pressurized and forced into the boiler to replenish the lost water. Turning the water injector on and off when necessary would have been the fireman's job, so a distracted or incompetent fireman might allow the water level to drop below the top of the crown sheet, resulting in the crown sheet buckling and the boiler bursting.

[@HA1LILPALAZZO]

@@IntoTheOrdinary also many of the early accidents involving boiler explosions is due to wear and tear plus bad maintenance. One locomotive in the 1840s exploded about a mile from Rugby Station in the UK, it's boiler skin was so badly corroded it was no thicker than an egg shell

[@sunfyrewoman]

i love trains

[@Stussmeister]

As a lifelong railroad nut, I can appreciate a video such as this, and would certainly be interested in a more in-depth video about steam locomotives.

[@bhankasjat74]

Thanks for giving the answer to the question that haunted me for decades: why does the exhaust smoke made a puffing sound, it could even escape on its own. Well, the excess steam from the piston is responsible. You made my day. SALUTE!

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Glad to help! :)

[@RAY4everYANY]

The boiler/ fire box is running at negative pressure (slight vacuum) therefore the only way gases/ steam could go is through the chimney.

[@mandolinic]

What the video didn't explain was that venting the used steam into the smoke box and out of the chimney creates a partial vacuum (Venturi effect), which draws more air through the coals, making them burn much hotter. It's called a blastpipe. It was an important development which improved the power and efficiency of locomotives.

[@dieseld261]

As someone who has been learning this stuff all their life I can say that this video does a really good job at explaining these things to those who are new to this. Good job!

[@markwyatt5377]

Students loved this video! Thanks. U ate that.

[@pooruanimations]

This is why I like trains, this is why I watch Thomas the Tank Engine

[@Noah-lc6ou]

how work modern electric train plz do

[@alicehodges9964]

@@Noah-lc6ou how about how a Deisel engine works I mean seriously Deisel in wild water Rescue said he has a Genarater ? Ok you think vtheres a video about how A Deisel works? Learning is fun I'm fascinated with Trains

[@alicehodges9964]

@@Noah-lc6ou or do you have ideas of your own about how thay work? This is interesting stuff

[@Noah-lc6ou]

@@alicehodges9964 modern trains how work is so interesting and i intresting

[@alicehodges9964]

Wow I'm learning so much about steam engines 😘😗😗😙😚😚😅😅😆😉

[@raaabonlaaanon8855]

I would lile to see a video that is more in depth of how steam locomotives work.

[@sweed6487]

This was very-well explained as it got all the basics for the functioning locomotive, though it is fine to leave the details of how the rods are also used to reverse by a set of special mechanisms and how the water is transported by the injector and how they work it's good to include it for a future film/video

[@paulnash6944]

Fun fact: Some engines actually had two sets of driving wheels! Some of the more notable ones include the Allegheny, Big Boy, and T1!

[@namelessone3339]

And the Yellowstone.

[@trainman2226]

Be careful while saying “t1” there was the Reading T1 (4-8-4) and the one your talking about PRR T1 (4-4-4-4)

[@harryrobinson2901]

And that’s just American ones...

[@paulnash6944]

The Gaming Train Guy Okay, thanks.

[@Moltar_Railfan]

N&W 1218

[@insane2981]

Thanx for information

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

You’re welcome!

[@tahmirjenkins5289]

@@IntoTheOrdinary you do how diesel locomotive works or electric locomotive

[@johnnyboy2000]

I quite like the graphic

[@pjb1373]

I watched at least 6 different videos on this process (all of which left me scratching my head) before I came across this one. Here, the process was explained in a clearcut, easy to understand way. Thank you, sir. Well done.

[@alexzander1839]

This is a probably the best explanation that I've seen on the subject.

[@bluefoxy6478]

2:04 not all locomotives have 2 cylinders, and im not just talking about the big boy, the challenger, or the 2-8-8-8-2 Erie locomotives. Some had a 3rd cylinder in the middle of the engine.

[@drdewott9154]

Yeah but again this is just a simple explanation of the basics, behind how they work. Besides most engines do have just 2. Especially the smaller branch line and shunting engines which to many are the first thing popping into mind when thinking of a steam engine.

[@raybohn7]

Just returned from visiting a huge train museum. I left confused. There was no one available to explain what I was looking at. Your great art and explanation answered my amateur questions and will prompt me to build on the knowledge that you provided. Thanks

[@ic08jy700]

Often wondered, but often been very confused about the whole setup until seeing this video. A clear and concise account of the basics of how a steam engine works. I really appreciate this video, thanks.

[@NirateGoel]

A bit inaccurate with number of cylinders, but close enough for the audience.

[@TrainBoi227]

No, plenty of engines had 2 cylinders

[@NirateGoel]

@@TrainBoi227 Not all had 2. Therefore inaccurate.

[@dariusneal9495]

Finding out information on locomotives can be difficult, especially steam locomotives. Its also hard to find demonstrative animations as great as you'res. Can you give more animations on the special parts and components as well as the appliances the were developed by the railroads and railways for locomotives.

[@EzekielRamadan]

This is amazing! I've always wished to understand how the locomotive engine works and you explained it in such a simple way I feel like I can make one myself. Thank you, now I love trains even more.

[@CartersTrains]

Most likely my favorite video explaining how steam locomotives work. I mean, I already knew how they work, but I still like to watch videos like this sometimes. It’s just such a high quality video with an easy explanation. Well done!

[@flareblitz2528]

What about steam engines who don't have cylinders like the E2s and other common tank engines?

[@ThomasG2-Chuklenuts]

They have internal cylinders. Instead of being outside the frames of the chassis, they were between the frames, and the connecting rods were connected to one of the axles of the wheels (these axles were specials so that it could work properly. Check on google for "locomotive with inside frame cylinders" for more explaination because i have bad english it can be not clear what i'm sayin lol)

[@flareblitz2528]

@@ThomasG2-Chuklenuts Thanks

[@TrainBoi227]

The cylinders are hidden in the frames, driving a crank shaft

[@pieguy6992]

do a more indepth look, i want to know more about them, like what a sander is for. love these videoes!

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Thanks, might be a while for me to revisit this topic, though!

[@harryrobinson2901]

Sanders put sand on the rails before the wheels, giving the engine better grip on oily rails.

[@chemicalbeats6557]

Sanders put the fire out in the firebox allowing the locomotive to cool down and come to a complete stop

[@harryrobinson2901]

Chemical Beats no. That would cool down the locomotive too quickly, causing contraction of the boiler metals, and an explosion due to joints splitting. A sander is a device which stops a locomotive from slipping, by using steam to blow sand, stored in tanks, down onto the rails, giving the locomotive a rough surface to grip on.

[@TrainBoi227]

Sandboxes drop sand onto the rails to increase friction, therefore letting the engine get more grip.

[@srtwsrtw1735]

These Legendary engines are amazing to look and feel. If you observe them closely... they make a uniq noise before moving. I still remember those days when i was 11-12 yrs old my grand father used to take me to show the coal engines at a near by railways station. And i also like the coal burning smell (not sure how many of you like that smell ha ha ha... :-)) Those days are gone and our kids will never have that experience. Very nice video explaining the technology!! amazing!

[@abrahamedelstein4806]

I'm just going to nip this trend in the bud, you can't mention the Steam engine without mentioning James Watt, Newcomen's engine had more in common with the simple steam motors that have been around since antiquity, Watt created a whole a new animal, I mean, your video basically described the Watt cycle. Yeah, it's nice that people give Newcomen credit for planting the seed but without Watt's nurture it would never have grown into a tree. It's sort of like why no one can tell you who invented the first internal combustion engine but people have a vague notion of who Nikolaus Otto is, because Otto so revolutionised it that that it blew everything before it out of the water.

[@kostavoyiazis5478]

That helped very much. Thank you!

[@jreicker1]

Thanks. always good to see engineering achievements. At 1:45, word is 'casualties'.

[@wanderingsoul696]

Very informative content. Please continue this work of yours. Complexity -0% Simplicity-100% ❤❤❤❤🙏❤❤❤❤

[@Gearz-365]

I see this a lot on some trains. A train with three driving wheels like the one in this video, the drive wheel that is connected directly to the piston doesn't have flanges (the thin metal parts on the wheel that keep the train on the rails) like the other wheels. Why is that?

[@drdewott9154]

Oh that. It's to make it able to take corners tighter. Besides the middle wheel is only used for thrust in a case scenario like this.

[@Gearz-365]

@@drdewott9154 Oh, okay. Thanks!

[@shootingstarproductions2530]

Not every steam engine pulls a tender. Don't forget the tank engines! They have a bunker for voal and side tanks for water.

[@JishyFishy4106]

Forgot to mention about the whistle - when the blowing mouth of the whistle is opened through a lever-pulley, the high pressure steam finds another way to get the damn out of the boiler. The whistle, as u know, is made up of a material like brass, or a conch, like that, such that when air is heavily blown through it, it vibrates vigorously and produces a loud sound. Since the steam is blown out of the boiler with high pressure, the whistle produces loud noise to Scare and Alarm the people to Get Out of the Track, as the Train is Coming

[@LancerIHR]

Loved this btw. The official channel of Thomas uploaded the exact same thing but they also explained how diesels work but with less information. Probably because to prevent kids younger than me for to much confusion but I know more than that XD

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Cool demonstration of a steam locomotive

[@cameronknapp7315]

How about explaining how a diesel locomotive 🚂 works?

[@503railfan]

Could we have one on diesel-electric locos?

[@siddharthshekhar909]

We often don't stop to think that things , we laugh at , or have become synonymous with obsolete technology " my old steam powered computer..." are not still completely understood by most of us . I have had a childhood fascination for steam engines. Wish you had made this video longer.

[@dr0xicon]

2:02 GWR King, Castle, and Hall: Am i a joke to you?

[@bigkiwimike]

People need to realise what an important machine the steam engine was, and I’m not just referring to the locomotive. The first picture you show is of the Newcomen engine. While not a true steam engine (as it ran on vacuum, not pressure) it started the industrial revolution. There would hardly have been an industrial process that did not use the power of steam. Then the engine branched out into road, rail and marine use. The steam engine in all its forms is the most important machine ever invented. The further development of the engine lead to developments in engineering as well. As the engines got bigger, what are we going to make them out of and how are we going to make them? You could easily argue that just about everything we have and use today, we owe to the invention of the steam engine. The never ending industrial revolution continues today and was all started by Thomas Newcomen and his engine in 1712. One wonders what society would be like today if the engine had not been invented back when it was and the progress of industrial and technological development did not take the path that it did.

[@tusvinhdang5909]

Great explanation! I’m searching for references to draw one and this makes it easier to understand. Thank you!

[@seanmcdonald5859]

Wait . . . .the air is sucked in from underneath? I never knew that and ive been on many a steam train in my life . . . . . Isnt it wonderful when a random video gives you a completely new piece of information . . . . . . . i dont know how to make toast anymore though . . . . . . .

[@jahsiahbowie1120]

Two words... Great Job. It is amazing to see such complex system explained so simply even I, who knows NOTHING about engineering, understands it.

[@harrythegamingboi7974]

Jahsiah Bowie it’s not complex at all

[@chamagical]

@@harrythegamingboi7974 Basic principles mostly are not complex at all. Even rocket engine principles are very simple. But the devil is in the details!

[@markjohnson4962]

Great Video. Next could be to show how new water enters the already pressurized boiler. Thanks

[@PeterWTaylor]

Really well described thanks. There must also be some sort of selector mechanism so you can make it all run in reverse when required.

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Thank you! Yes there is but I didn't explain that in this animation. The whole assembly was hard enough to animate as is!

[@falgunisolanki3057]

Any videos about electric locomotives working function?

[@SCL7500]

Diesel and electric locomotives next please!

[@mrjbarraza1]

I really do want to see a drinking when we get to see an actual play Move

[@deathsquadron3311]

so by definition this is an application of the Gay-Lussac's law?

[@clenlima]

Very good! I appreciate this channel. It has a good closed caption.

[@AnujSingh-kk4qt]

Please make a video about working of EMU trains

[@tylerkeith2391]

Well done bro! Thanks for the hard work making this video

[@Jaidencharlotte]

There aren’t necessarily just 2 cylinders Some locos have 3 cylinders and some have 4

[@lorusso6611]

good explain. I hope to see an explain of caprotti gear box applied of steam egine.

[@sanjeevb007]

Amazing animation and a very neat explanation of the working...Thank you!

[@Mikethefallenlegend]

How come trains always have how come things trains always have that connecting rods under deck and wheel that one I don't even know how I was a word but I'm using the voice thing but like how does a train 8444 has four wheels and connecting rod it's on the deck. Wheel okay

[@TrainBoi227]

Explain with English as opposed to spitting out the same 10 words and I'll answer

[@tfsplayer2275]

thank you, i dont know how fresh air went in the fire box but now i know

[@newo_]

Damn I love these videos. Was always curious but too lazy to research everything by myself XD

[@DropTheBook]

This was very good, really interesting 😀 subscribed!

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Awesome, thank you ^____^

[@0chappell]

great animation, but you have forgotten to mention that the real revolution was to boil the water very fast, thanks to the tubes in the boilers. Without those tubes, the water would boil too slowly.

[@tankthehedgehog105]

I’m Studying Steam Locomotives And How They Work

[@samanli-tw3id]

Tank The Hedgehog 105 Watch Thomas and Friends

[@harryrobinson2901]

samanli2014 no. People think it shows how steam engines work, it really doesn’t. Best thing is to do some actual research rather than watching a show for 5 year olds. I learnt how they work by building a miniature one, that hauls people.

[@D-Man_Jam]

My steam engine runs on Coke. Cola

[@huntersvideos905]

DJBATMANGOLD what’s coke cola?

[@jinukj3753]

How many pistons are used in steam engine..? This rotation helps to forward motion, how this motion helps to train backward movement..?

[@TrainBoi227]

Between 2 and 4 is what I've heard

[@fabucci1]

A video about the origin of pens? Or the origin of imprent could be too

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Pens is a great idea, and with imprent you mean the printing press?

[@chrisclement8200]

Curious to know pressures and temperatures, mass flow, and how the heck they added more water!

[@Ryan_Rail]

MORE TRAINS! Plz

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

It's on the list! ;)

[@mustafakhuzaima9722]

Can't imagine how big of engineering Masterpiece this would have been in the 1700's even today blows our mind.

[@TrainBoi227]

Fun Fact: Steam trains were first invented in 1804

[@geoffreywilliams9324]

Simple but concise explanation . .

[@alexbeeston7964]

Why can't the steam be recycled back into the water tank?

[@mindreader9874]

that's what I was thinking while watching.

[@Emperor_of_all_Badgers]

it dont work

[@bosco_c6431]

I think maybe the steam has already cooled down,so the pressure is not enough to push the train once more

[@marichat1256]

Well, try it if you want to blow up

[@sasisekharmg7823]

There are some cases where it does happen, where in the steam is passed through a condenser and back into the boiler....mostly used for industrial purposes

[@ricardobautista-garcia8492]

Yes I would love a more in depth into trains.

[@HistoricalWonder720]

I laugh so hard when people automatically assume people from the past werent as smart as us.

[@rishabhpanchal8051]

0:10 who else thought the boy was going to get run over, lmao

[@harrythegamingboi7974]

Rishabh Panchal me

[@DrMonkey1224]

It really looks like that!

[@Shipwright1918]

Nicely done, though if you were ever going to re-do this, it might be worth mentioning that the action of the exhaust steam being shot up the stack creates a draft on the fire by sucking air up through the grates and through the firetubes (the smokebox is sealed so tightly the blast creates a partial vacuum inside it, and the only way that air can come in and fill this vacuum is by coming up through the grates and through the tubes), so the faster/harder the locomotive is working, the harder the fire will burn, and so the boiler can keep up with the demand for steam from the engine. Another important part is the fusible plugs, which are installed in the top of the firebox (called the crown sheet), and are made of an alloy that melts at a lower temperature than the metal of the firebox itself. Under normal operation, so long as water is kept above the crown sheet, it will keep the firebox cool enough to not melt or distort even though the water itself is boiling hot, but if the water falls below the crown sheet, the metal will get so hot it can melt and the pressure will cave in the firebox, causing a boiler explosion. The fusible plugs prevent this by melting and popping out should the above situation happen, causing all the water and steam to go rushing into the firebox to put out the fire, thus preventing said explosion.

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

+Shipwright1918 super comment! Yes there are a lot of intricasies and details left out, sadly. These are things I came across but ran out of time. :(

[@Shipwright1918]

Into The Ordinary Totally understandable, this is just a basic explanation video after all. I imagine it would possible to do entire videos based on various aspects of a steam locomotive and its operation, but this is just a "get your feet wet" primer for those unfamiliar with steam engines. All in all very nicely done, you covered all the basics quite well.

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

+Shipwright1918 Thank you :)

[@Galvan198]

when all the water/steam is all used up, do you need to cool everything down to refill the boiler with water? do you put the water down the chimney?

[@Shipwright1918]

Diesel Fitter There are devices called injectors that use steam to feed water into the boiler by using the venturi effect through sets of nozzle cones to overcome the pressure. The fireman operates the injectors and adjusts them to maintain a flow rate which will keep the water level up, using a device called a water glass to monitor the level. In practice, while running there's almost always a constant flow of water being forced into to boiler to make up for all the water being used up to make steam. Early locomotives used pumps for the feed water, powered by steam or the motion of the locomotive itself. In later steam locos, feedwater heaters often supplemented injectors. Basically these were turbine and piston pumps that ran the water through coils that were put up in the smokebox around the bottom of the smokestack (aka the petticoat pipe) so the water would be heated by the exhaust steam and flue gases to lessen the cooling effect on the boiler which occurs when injecting non-heated water, which among other things can knock the steam pressure down, which can be an issue when you need a lot of power to keep moving the train, say up a steep hill.

[@THEGODROD]

Great video, could you make another that goes more in depth on how they function?

[@fblbikes6135]

Thanks now I can start building my mini loco 👌

[@shabbirluqman5140]

The way you explain so simply such complex things is really commendable. Well done!

[@TRPGpilot]

Well explained. Thanks!

[@somethingelse9228]

Just found your channel, already subscribed.

[@xxaceofficialxx7330]

the only question do i have is how does a steam train go backwards

[@renatoigmed]

they dont

[@xxaceofficialxx7330]

oh

[@xxaceofficialxx7330]

but why is the movie called polar express, the train's wheel go backwards

[@harryrobinson2901]

The valve gear of the locomotive can be adjusted by a lever in the cab called the reverser, which adjust directions. Polar Express is not an accurate film, don’t take train facts from it.

[@fejiobbdo]

i don't quite understand how the slide valve moves back and forth on its own like that. is it connected to a wheel?

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

Good question! Yes, I simplified it in the animation, but the way I illustrated it I suggested it moving due to the rods and bars of the wheel assembly. So in short; yes, connected to (a) wheel(s).

[@pieguy6992]

I wonder if the startup of the locomotive is actually complex. Like, do you just need to fill up the boiler, shovel some coal in, and light a fire?

[@TrainBoi227]

Precisely! Let the engine build up steam for a good 15 to 30 minutes and you're good to go

[@harryrobinson2901]

It depends on the locomotive! You’ve got the basic idea already, but there’s also a bit of maintenance involved, such as oiling. Locomotives have oiling points around the engine, and also a separate lubrication system which supplies oil to the cylinders. Lighting the fire is a bit complicated. Usually they start with wood, and then build up to coal, but it depends on the loco. The loco has to be brought up to temperature pretty slowly, otherwise the boiler heats unevenly and causes stress. This is why starting the loco takes a while - small boilers can heat up really quickly, under 4 hours, but a larger locomotive can take up to 12 hours to get up to full pressure from cold.

[@glaus7593]

In romania there is a small steam locomotive train called "MOCĂNIȚA" it was used to take coal to the factory but now since the factory repair other steam locomotives from Europe ,it is used to transport people . My uncle drives it

[@jj9672]

One major problem, water in a boiler should NEVER boil! Boiling is a very violent reaction, water in a boiler must be heated so that it flashes into steam without boiling. Boiling water would destroy the boiler

[@samanli-tw3id]

J J then why they call it boiler?

[@harryrobinson2901]

No, the water does boil. That’s how steam is made! It’s safe for the water to boil as long as it doesn’t go below the top of the firebox, as this causes the firebox to overheat and melt, causing an explosion. Luckily, due to safety features, this is a very rare occurrence.

[@nelsonmouatvergara]

😍😍😍😍😍 thomas and friends!!!!

[@dreelmotion9373]

ok ok... ima see your other videos!

[@misaamane2850]

I wonder how the pistons start at the beginning when there's no "used steam" to complete a rotation

[@phoenix21studios]

i think each side is offset on its action position. so one can always be pushed.

[@chamagical]

I think I understand your problem: used steam is not needed to complete a rotation, it is the fresh (live) steam on the other side of the piston that "pumps" it out of the cylinder. It does not matter, during the very first stroke, if instead of used steam, there is air, or colder water vapour or whatever on this side of the piston: it gets pushed out. Now the engine is only halfway through the rotation. Next comes the return stroke where live steam is admitted on this side and it pushes out what is now USED steam from the first stroke......

[@lingerierendabunga2982]

How to set the loco's direction? (Forward & backward)? Using some kind of gears mechanism?

[@dawnandrews8969]

Which country are you from.

[@DandyBlobber]

How do you get new water into the tank

[@swiftengine]

i can understand why safty valves are important! i look back at gordon is the great race!

[@inspiringscience]

nice video sir

[@owenmeschter9888]

These are very complex machines, and you explained it in a very clean and simple manner, great job

[@harrisoncorey282]

On long hauls, how do they put water in the boiler? just pop er' open and hose it in?

[@TrainBoi227]

Basically. It would come from the tanks and be regulated with a valve

[@shambhavichannel9321]

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IS GOING GOOD

[@parmesan4291]

They're two they're four they're six they're eight. Shunting trucks and hauling freight

[@TrainBoi227]

Red and green and brown and blue Your mom was hit by your dad with a shoe

[@mylesthomasandfriends838]

Red and green and brown and blue They’re the really useful crew All with different roles to play Round tidmouth sheds or far away Down the hills and round the bends Thomas and his friends

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

It would be good to do a video on how to scrap a steam locomotive. Now that we have better forms of locomotive, it becomes important to scrap the steam locomotives and recycle the metals. There is lots of steel, copper, brass , and phosphor bronze. It is important to know where these metals are and the best way of cutting the locomotive apart so they can be salvaged.

[@clambert2020]

Great explanation. I always wondered what made the smoke "puff" as the engine worked. Thank you.

[@chamagical]

Well, I could'nt find it. Played it couple of times over. Please enlighten me?

[@clambert2020]

@@chamagical The narrator didn't come right out and say it. However, the puffing is sort of explained from 2:51 to 2:57. The steam from the drive cylinders is exhausted into the smoke box. Each time the cylinder is exhausted it puffs more smoke out the chimney. At very slow speed the interval between puffs is very pronounced. At high speed you can't really tell. Hope this helps.

[@disrael2101]

hey, why have you stopped creating such videos? in addition, can you make videos on how other engine works such as in grid system, cars etc? thank you.

[@mgapryt4930]

The real question is how do oil burning steam engines work?

[@IntoTheOrdinary]

They are not that different and coal driven steam engines can be converted to using oil. Although I don't have any schematics of oil steam engines. Here's Wikipedia for you on the topic: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_burner_(engine)

[@CDtrumpet5]

One correction. All wheels connected by the rods are considered the drive wheels. That's really the only error but great explanation!

[@zdzblo8760]

This Is Useful If I Grow Up I Can Study How To Make A Train Working.

[@JDHE21E]

Hello, thank you very much for the explanation. My friends, I want to tell you that perhaps at 1:44 you wanted to say "casualties" in the text box, instead of "casulaties": "In the early days, there were *casualties* from exploding steam engines." And again, thank you very much for the video! :D