How To Sex A Steam Engine

As long as we’re anthropomorphizing conveyances, let’s find some middle ground between two extremes.
Written, recorded, and edited by me:
www.deviantart...
www.deviantart...
Music by harrisonfan07:
/ fergus-shackleford
Photographs taken/provided by Neil Harvey, Estelle Mumby, Chris Aliv, Terry Pinnegar, Jeff Hodgson, Susan Major, Robert Forsythe, David L Quayle, Roger Norton, John Law, David J Smith, Ron Fisher, Derek Cashen, David Searle, Phil Bevan, Tony Storey, George Woods, Peter Leigh, Richard Pryke, Jim Carter, Steve Jones, Collin Duff, Alex Morley, Mike King, Chris Bell, John Newman, Brian Flannigan, Richard Salmon, Gordon Edgar, Ben Birchall, Bernard Spragg, Benjamin Matthews, Robert Knight, John G Lidstone, Keith Everett, Will Van Dorp, Todd Webb, & various others.
George Carlin on Sports:
• George Carlin - Sports
Railway series illustrations by John T Kenney.
Book excerpts from:
“Bagnalls Of Stafford” by Alan C Baker & T D Allen Civil
“The Campbeltown & Machrihanish Light Railway” by Nigel Macmillan
“Gentlemen Of The Harbour” by Bill Eggert
Screenshot of the 5” gauge Southern 2-6-2 from Chris Eden-Green’s IMLEC 2023 special, available here:
www.e-gmedia.c...
/ steamlocosinprofile
Footage of Trevor the Traction Engine, George the Steamroller, and Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry by David Mitton and Terry Permane.
Additional screenshots from Thunderbirds and The Red Green Show.
Thomas was bought by the Mattel business.
TUGS’ ownership is all over the place.

[@AstroKnight118]

That title scared me a little

[@CaptainUnikitty]

Yeah same 😭

[@ARICALMIROLA797]

Me too

[@GP30_Foamer]

I saw that title and took it completely the wrong way

[@benaseervatham8092]

ngl me to

[@Robbie-b8f]

Same

[@Big3Productions694]

ME TOO 💀💀💀

[@antonbohman8038]

My disappointed was immeasurable

[@Trainfan123]

Same

[@delavarproductions]

I fully believe he titled it that way to stoke the haters. Based.

[@danieltheblueschoolsclass927]

The best endings 1st place:

[@FunAngelo2005]

I honestly gender locos based on vibes, like how Emily was Female because her design

[@LongIslandRailfanner]

Same along with how the name of the locomotive sounds as in my case with Mount Washington cog Railway no.9 Waumbek as female along with no.2 Ammonoosuc meanwhile no.6 which used to be called Great Gulf feels more like a Masucline name

[@fishlickmustaches8088]

When I was little, I always thought Percy was a girl 😂😂😂😭

[@fishlickmustaches8088]

@@LongIslandRailfannerI love your profile picture my good sir, Marisa is the best

[@LongIslandRailfanner]

​@@fishlickmustaches8088thank you

[@splendidredscrapiron]

@@fishlickmustaches8088I also thought that!

[@firsttimegamer500]

My reaction the title "wut?"

[@thomtub8096]

So if Thomas were to adopt side plates and skirts it would be the same as having a sex change?

[@brendanhanley2741]

It only mentioned in the RWS and TVS that Thomas would have to wear cowcatchers

[@thomtub8096]

@@brendanhanley2741 nah we are talking about this guy's AU tho.

[@brendanhanley2741]

@thomtub8096 on his second channel, "a stray terrier", he has a series called the Fat Controller's railway. In the adaptation of Thomas in trouble, it also mentions that thomas would only have cowcatchers added on

[@ThatblueE2]

That is a wild title

[@dominiquecampos1512]

Indeed a flabbergasting title

[@ScorchZane]

Not gonna lie that’s a wild title to have

[@Scott_3F]

I personally don’t think they have genders, and just exist, if given a name pre-built, that’s the gender, but if there isn’t, they don’t have one, you just call it engine or somethin’. In Thomas, I guess it’s just what name is given, and if the engine don’t like it, it could just change it or just go by number

[@ThomasSirHandel]

That would explain it. If given a name before first fire, the engine is that assigned gender. Another idea if the vehicle does not have a name, the vehicle could take the gender of who ever first starts it up.

[@Scott_3F]

@@ThomasSirHandel that's actually makes sense, and does kinda correlate with this video, since most who would've started the first firing would be male

[@TankEngineMedia]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@ThomasSirHandelthat actually makes sense, I can definitely see that as a 100% Possibility

[@westinbridges7321]

If I were a locomotive history teacher, I'd just love to watch the students go on a colossal headache on how genders apply to trains (or just vehicles in general).

[@Cuthbertandfriends]

You dare call a austerity a "stroke 8"

[@StepneyStudios2011]

The title got me confused and scared what the video was about

[@theoneandonlyJT15]

Y'all know what y'all were thinking

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

YES. 💀💀💀

[@Canadianobjectshow]

What were you guys thinking

[@trevortyrrell175]

Ngl, the title is so weird and funny at the same time.

[@cec_oregon]

1:48 I NEED THAT STORY

[@OfficialTrainzGod]

the engine was bombed, it had a boiler explosion, and the dome took out the plane

[@qwrthunter1510]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJu0dKSafMaqiNEsi=VV0Y-H8p7SWgcb3D A video on the story.

[@cec_oregon]

@@OfficialTrainzGod wow!

[@Terrier82]

Victoria went boom Plane went zoom Steam went to the moon and the jet went… uh

[@smokeyjoeproductions]

​​@@Terrier82soon?

[@thetoontrain6073]

The title and thumbnail made me think the unforgivable

[@Xander-m1w]

what the fuck is the title bro 😭

[@Canadianobjectshow]

Doesn’t sex mean gender

[@DreamNVenus]

At first, the title scared the hit out of me… 😭🙏

[@Mr.Conductor13]

Gotta be honest, I’ve never really thought about it that hard. To me if I was creating a Thomas character, I would just go with whichever gender I thought best fit the kind of character I was trying to make or just picked randomly, worked on the design, and then would decide whether or not it fit the character once I’ve finished with the concept art. If it doesn’t fit, I just make a few minor adjustments and go from there.

[@keeyinic9297]

if there was a reason for Toby to have a “skirt”, it was probably because he’s a type of jester.

[@WoodenRailwayWonderland]

Wait what if an steam engine was built without side plates or cowcatchers but were given them later on?

[@benwetzel8449]

Trans

[@thedemolitionmuniciple]

trans representation

[@tee6025]

Trans tram

[@benwetzel8449]

@@tee6025 tramsgender

[@MSMFurcorn22]

honestly for me engines just seem so masculine (besides the Stirling single and no it’s NOT because of Emily)

[@That_one_fusion]

The title scared me to fucking death….

[@KDapple]

Thank God the title wasn’t what I thought it was 💀

[@TankEngineMedia]

It is very interesting on how you classify the vehicles and what their genders could be. For me the genders could be male, female or no gender at all unless given a name like a name-plate or something (I mostly judge on what gender they are mostly on design or looks. The title of the video is very cursed, but funny

[@mikofox9798]

A server i was in was talking about this video and not 1 DAY LAYER IT SHOWS UP IN MY RECOMMENDED

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

Perfect timing. 🤣🤣🤣

[@NexusWorks924]

The title made me crack up and I do like your way of giving specific Vehicles genders its unique

[@S.L.F-G1]

my dirty mind was thinking of smth else 💀

[@pacificcy3182]

comedy title and George Carlin in the beginning? yup, gotta watch

[@ItzAtrain2905]

That title took me completely off guard. 😂

[@Railroadracer49]

The title is so wild💀

[@MidiMail]

Y’all think he’s wild with that title but then he pulls out a steam engine 😳

[@Nicksterski543]

I literally created my own Skarloey Railway OC that's an Alice class engine named Balladwail few days ago. Not saying I predicted this, but I did wanted to create an female engine that could work on Skarloey with her own unique backstory. The fact that I came to the same conclusion is pretty fascinating. Also, I am shocked you forgot to mention LMS Fowlers 3F nickname "Jinty" being female as a loophole. Their name literally comes from female comic strip character from the the time (which while I don't see it at all) could be used for headcanoning Jinty as a female.

[@MagicLampStudios]

Didn't know that. I've been venturing my opinions for over a year now and you're the first commenter to get me to change my mind about something.

[@ryanlister1244]

@@MagicLampStudios Can I ask you a question.

[@MagicLampStudios]

@@ryanlister1244 What is it?

[@ryanlister1244]

@@MagicLampStudios Well, dude, I wonder is the TUGS Audio story Flooded free to adapted or is it private.

[@MagicLampStudios]

@@ryanlister1244 Go ahead.

[@canadaw.e6461]

i still love how practically everyone in britain used the 8K's, fuckers lasted upwards of 50 years in some instances!

[@WatsUpDuck]

Robinson probably bragging in CME heaven, can’t tell him nothing

[@MrTankThatStopped]

Also remember the Pennsylvania I1SA. That one is hilarious.

[@Reimu__Hakurei]

The title is making me giggle 😭

[@trakkKonnektin]

love the title.

[@Arkay315]

What the hell did I just watch?

[@MichaelJones-vx7lt]

Don't know :/

[@Heres_Domix]

I really like how you qualified traction engines!

[@Sir_Robert_Norramby]

Has Pete Clicked So He Could Do His Thing To Toby Without Side Skurts

[@branchlineshunter]

All right I need to know. what's up with the slag wagon

[@Daddy_donaldanddouglas]

A few hours ago i was like "do i watch this?" Literally slept on it and then was like ".... Eh why not" after finishing the video i was like " i took the title the wrong ass way-"

[@aplane9625]

In my AU it’s all just random There are countless engines with side plates that are dudes E.g. NWR No.7 Toby and MSR No.7 Tim

[@rubentreingames6466]

Im... Traumatised WHAT IS THIS ABOUT 😭

[@TheWeatheringWorkshop]

I clicked for the manor in the thumbnail :3

[@TobyOliverHenryFan]

These are some stupid rules. We all know there are no rules and this series doesn't need rules for genders. If ain't broken, don't fix it!

[@theamazingadventureofeduardo]

lol, that strange yes but in the end, this is HIS approach

[@TobyOliverHenryFan]

@@theamazingadventureofeduardo I hope, then, that there won't be a way for engines to breed. I'll do Armageddon if that happens.

[@user-fj3iv4ct3s]

​@@TobyOliverHenryFanDon't worry, as BMP has stated in his most recent Q&A that while the engines have sexes, they don't have sex drives.

[@ScorchZane]

Besides every AU isn’t made for the sake of “fixing” more like perception

[@samiam_81]

ragebait when

[@Enzo-fk1tx]

In my au engines get to choose their genders since there are no defining features, their faces are just smokeboxes with eyes and mouths

[@Enzo-fk1tx]

If they have a name, they are more likely to choose the gender of the person they’re named after (this rule does NOT apply to engines named after places, objects, etc.)

[@Enzo-fk1tx]

Goods wagons are all male due to adopting the same gender as the people they work alongside (usually male). Coaches don’t have genders unless they have names, if so then the name rule applies.

[@trainspotterlive2133]

You know the title looks like something else

[@EngineerDaylight]

It took me a few seconds into the video to calm down. I hate that I was expecting what I was 😭. Video actually had great points tho

[@eggsbenedictstudios]

I think Ladle wagons should be male since in mainly men work at steelworks, also I think the way you did it is pretty good, I also think I figured out a system for electric engines for you, there are 2 types of pantograph, one arm and 2 arm pantographs, if an engine wasn't built during ww2 or isn't a multiple unit, if it has a one armed pantograph, it's female, if it has a 2 arm pantograph it's male

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

Bro wtf (I realized halfway in)

[@ExtraEngine1]

What about airplanes and helicopters and such?

[@thepacerman]

thats not a steam engine….

[@ExtraEngine1]

@@thepacerman He mentioned diesels ,busses and other vehicles that are not steam engines.

[@thepacerman]

@@ExtraEngine1 yeah i wrote this reply before finishing the video lol

[@TheE2tankengine]

Freaky ass title

[@Windsor_Intl_Airlines.]

I thought this was only steam engines

[@JAdg75oo00]

Came due to concern for the title stayed for the clever identification and observation 🙂🚂

[@KCDash4400cw]

Do these still apply for American locomotives?

[@bobbymckechnie7572]

3:23 includes the “princess royal” lms class, because of princess being in the name, and variations thereof, such as the unbuilt hacksworth cathedral that used the princess royal as a base for improvement

[@TheRamdonRedScout]

The title scared me for a second

[@LongIslandRailfanner]

I usually gender locomotives based on either pure vibes or if the locomotives existing name sounds Masculine or feminine and since I have a proposed Trainz Series of my own sometimes I name locomotives after Characters from fiction for example I have a USRA Heavy Mikado in my Series named Washington but she's female because I named her after Washington from Azur Lane Another example is a Virginian Railway Class MB Mikado also in my series named Marisa as she's named after Marisa from Touhou Project Also I see most steam locomotives as female and diesels as male but there are a few exceptions as one of the Erie Triplexs in my series is male named Jason and 2 twin Krauss-Maffei ML 4000 C-C's specifically the hood units like Southern Pacific 9010 named Prinz Eugen and Bismarck after Prinz Eugen and Bismarck also from Azur Lane. However depending on when the episode they are in takes place, sometimes they are not referred to by that name but sometimes a different name or sometimes road number depending on if the character they're named after exists when that episode takes place for example if Marisa was in a episode that takes place during the Conrail era she wouldn't be called by her name as Touhou Project didn't exist prior to 1997 however this doesn't apply to Washington and all the other Locomotives named after Azur lane characters since the ships they're named after do or did exist at that time

[@falfan7.62]

RED GREEN MENTIONED!!!!

[@The_Goldenhammer.]

The british already figured out the mark 1 tanks long ago. 38 where male and 75 where female. From what i can see the males had 6 pdr cannons and machine guns. While the females only had machine guns. Another way they can be gendered could be on the drivers opinion.

[@rodrix_A238]

The best title ever XD

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

I was getting ready to do the same thing with my wooden train!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@tee6025]

Quite the question for railway history

[@normallogankid]

I’m not joking I literally thought the title was “how steam engines have s*x” not bloody kidding I mean didn’t we kinda all think that? Because I think it’s probably just me

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

I CAN'T 💀💀💀

[@sudrianliam1199]

Thing is, I determine an engine's sex by, well.... my own intuition, I suppose. And this isn't an "all West Countries are female, all 9Fs are male" type of thing; it can be different within one and the same class for me. For instance: Flying Scotsman and Humorist: Male. Great Northern and Papyrus: Female. I can't explain why they feel like that to me at all, there's no system behind it at all. Some engines just seem male to me, others female. XD

[@Cooledman2099]

I like to think the engines/rolling stock have no specified gender, they only show masculine/feminine traits.

[@Boxwood2909]

The title made me think of something completely different.

[@IndominusRex315]

To me in my world (The trains in my world are from the cars universe) female steam engines and diesel/electric engines would be a bit bigger than the male steam and diesel/electric engines. The female would be SUPER protective of her young. I don’t know why I said this, but this is what I think in my pov / world. Please don’t judge me or take this too seriously.😭

[@noahcarlosthenumber12engin38]

6:34 but then you’ve also got Bulgy

[@kotelypiesely1268]

6:18 what about rubber tracks, do those count too? and if so, then what about half-tracked, half-wheeled vehicles?

[@eshanthetrainlover8609]

my proposal for an alternative system is as follows: Make the gendering of the vehicles case subjective down to the individual and also transcend the binary gender system because #androgyny ✨✨✨

[@monarchvh8593]

Good lord you scared us, and a loophole can be made for locomotives with female names. Like Br standard 7 Britannia, GWR 4900; Hazel Hall, Hunslet 16 inch; Jessie and LMS Jubilee Britannia/Amethyst.

[@AW.Dry_and_Co.]

I don't personally get the point of the rules, but what do I know, tis your headcannon! Also yeah, the laddle is a laddlw

[@Rheemcupseriesracing]

the title immediately made me click on this 💀💀

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

SAME 💀💀💀

[@harrisonallen651]

I was concerned about the title to begin with….

[@badwolf2331]

this scared me

[@vincentmorris8431]

I imagine the series would probably have all Duchesses being female, but I think some might have male names. Could there ever be a case on vehicles going trans?

[@thomasmanyt]

It would be easier to gender British engines, but with American locomotives, they are all built different and makes it harder (like how 4014 is obviously male from obvious reasons)

[@voidthe3f859]

Me personally, I go off of the whistles, deep toned whistles are males, higher pitched whistles are females unless they have a name or title that specifically defines their sex, example: 611: “Queen of Steam” deep-toned whistle, female. UP 4014: “Big Boy” deep-toned whistle, male

[@JaceJent]

My Ideal Duke or Caroline

[@harryschubert2490]

That's even more difficult than with male or female boxers.

[@TrainzSimulator4014]

I would refer to the Big Boys from the Union Pacific as male

[@LongIslandRailfanner]

Same

[@Duck64906]

YOU WHAT!

[@pajis_xd]

The tittle😂

[@Trainboy2012nederland]

Can you add this to the „My ideal” playlist?

[@nathanchan4653]

7:01 Ladle wagons are literally male…..specifically drunk males after having too much to drink

[@brendanhanley2741]

So would Tim from Wilbert's mid Sodor layout and Stanley be female then

[@jetporter]

Hilarious. Sometimes hard to tell but I am guessing you’re Canadian? Not that it matters. I found the video very entertaining.

[@MagicLampStudios]

What gave it away?

[@wondermenel2811]

I might have lost something, by qualification means they are exclusively female or that they can be female or male?

[@thomaseadbhardmcqueen7511]

Interesting vid as always. I like the idea of having a system that defines a vehicle character's gender, although my own AU is more of a "I just think it's neat" sorta thing. I'm curious if you have anything in mind for air vehicles. Also, what sources would you recommend for learning about traction engines and other steam-powered road vehicles?

[@MagicLampStudios]

A good place to start would be "Age Of The Traction Engine" by Robert Whitehead. Also have a look at videos on The Great Dorset Steam Fair.

[@narrowgauge474]

The title 💀

[@eccotheorca7745]

clicked on this video expecting something else lmao

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

I thought we were going to be doing what I did to that F-35A and got kicked out of Wright Patterson because of

[@ColoradoRockiesRailfan3114]

The title made me think of something different.

[@TankEngine97]

Bit of a strange title I'll admit.

[@TrainBrain-yg8tl]

I’m traumatized

[@GreatLakesSongs]

thelance?

[@gageblymyer]

Video: 😀 Title: 💀