Union Pacific 844 Cab Ride From Walsenburg, CO to Pueblo, CO Part 1

[@BlueSharkRides]

Pulling that whistle has to be one of the most satisfying experiences one could ever have.

[@3superpar]

In the old days how many times do you think the engineer forgot or just missed blowing the whistle at a crossing?

[@jckgoldness]

Not only does it look scary, but it sounds scary too. I love that deep whistle.

[@joaoricardoaraujogranzoto3050]

Ow yea

[@kimber091777]

It’s ok! You need headphones or ear pods so they can not hurt you!

[@dklearjet]

I cant get over how the Engineer handles that Locomotive like he's done it all his life. Awesome

[@KN-ko8ez]

Truly a dream job in our day and age, and certainly not an easy one either. These are for lack of a better word, incredible machines.

[@663rainmaker]

Thanks Nick for this video that touches my heart...

[@ghiggs5096]

Good lord look at the size of those wheels!

[@noemiyesfir4177]

A mighty and proud beast! I hoped to see her this year but alas the schedule didn't work out. Thanks very much for the videos!

[@maxm2317]

SWEET! I know what I'm doing in a few years, and that is definitely riding in the 844's cab! Thanks, Nick!

[@martyt2020]

Thank you Nick! Great Job capturing the sights and sounds from the cab!...I sure wish I could have seen it in person rolling through my home town!!! Many a night when I was very young watch steamers roll through the Burg! Before being in Walsenburg did it come over the LaVeta Pass on the "old" D&RG rails! Just getting connected to the cool work UP is doing with the Steamers!!! Very interested and excited about their work on the 4014!!! Looking forward to next May when ti rolls to UTAH!!!

[@stevenspaziani9159]

After hearing all the noise from inside the engine I now know why my dad was hard of hearing, he fired for the New York Central back in the 40's 1940's that is, lol. I've been wearing hearing protection for my 28 years with Conrail and CSX, thank God.

[@FahriPsatir]

thats really a problem?

[@663rainmaker]

My Brother in Law William Bill Riley Sr had operated 844 in his younger years..he was posthumously Awarded the Golden Spike Award and his memorial is in the Golden Spike Museum in Bailey Yard North Platte Nebraska

[@kjfenterprises9618]

3:10 Highball!

[@gaylenemorley916]

Alright inside cab 844 that is coming to ogden utah may 8th 2019. I wait to hear that whistle too i may not be able to drive it but do i love that ghostly whistle. Different then any other train indeed like. Howling that touches my heart. I love this video the whistle. Is in this video.

[@digikitty11]

Your 3 videos have been so much fun! I imagined myself sitting right there going along for the ride. Thanks for posting these!

[@ReviewerKid90]

How did you get the permission to ride in such a legend?

[@Sethdominus777]

Should be called the Iron Mike. One heck of a thing

[@mavadelo]

As this is a 6 part series let me respond to this first one. Sir....first off all thank you for sharing these videos with us. It is a treat to see this kind of action "up close" I am not a real life engine driver and I probably never will be in the cab of a running steamer. I am however a Train Simulator player and it was actually the FEF-3 that really got me interested in running steam engines. Truth be told, the FEF-3 is by far the best and most accurate engine in the game (thanks to someone named Smokebox who did an amazing job) and if one can run the FEF in TS2015 one can run ANY steam engine in TS2015. I am not at the level of fireing her myself, I still use the "greenhorn" version (which basically can be run with a so called HUD and no manual fireing) but I actually already got the advanced version running up to 25Mph (then she ran out of steam and I was not able to revive her :( ) I will be checking out much more of your channel as I already noticed you have videos of the 4014 as well (and I hope the Conny although I didn't see her...(perhaps strange...steam engines are "she" for me) and I will also subscribe (off course, how can I not) If you want a laugh at a noob running the 844, ve it virtual.. check out my channel playlist "learning steam the hard way". I think there is even a vid where I blew her up (although that is not depicted visually in the game .....I am very glad the developers choose to let me know by text box lol)

[@marthagunn2933]

In the steam era each engineer had a signature whistle sign; two longs one short & one long for grade crossing approach; 2 longs for proceed from dispatch; he looks like he is blowing down a lot of extra steam from the cylinders before letting 844 hit her stride ;D great vid; thx

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

In a way, yes to all of that. A diesel is typically put into most of the consists they run just in case the steam locomotive does break down and things need to be moved off the mainline and to points elsewhere. Now depending on the size of the consist and the route they are traveling, if the steam locomotive can't do it on its own, then the engineer in the 844 will put some power into the helper to assist getting over the grade. There is an MU control box just to the left of the engineer.

[@TheTarawilliams91]

I wish I could ride it that is my favorite train 😭🤪

[@BSRC318]

I had the honor of riding the 844 with Mr. Ed when they came to Shreveport, Louisiana and spent a few days in my home terminal o Hollywood yard. Ended up being the brakeman on the departure day and had to direct the 844 light power through the yard. Then got to ride the rest of the afternoon in the cab. Was a real privilege to ride along with the Steam Team and the 844. And again many thanks to Mr. Ed, the Steam Team, and the Management with UP in Shreveport.

[@davidyeager6649]

Bistineau Southern Railroad when was that and are they coming back

[@louieee4014]

6:16 amazing whistle

[@TAQtique]

God i love that whistle

[@andrewbisset3616]

Out of the old Rio Grande yard and on to the main - classic heavy steam mileage!

[@miltwade]

The pinnacle of my 42 year career was riding 70 miles in the cab of the 844 back in 2012.

[@BNSF7776]

Hey you got to ride inside as well. lol I rode in the cab to the SLRG yard. We may of only done a reverse move but was still worth the thrill.

[@RealRaynedance]

The way he blew the whistle in the beginning made it sound sad.

[@ZachPumphery]

Blowing all the condensed steam (water) out of it. Takes a couple seconds before it sounds normal if it's been sitting a while.

[@RealRaynedance]

Zach Pumphery Didn't know that. Thanks. xD

[@663rainmaker]

DeltaPhi79 me too..my Brother in Law had pulled the Whistle too on 844.....He passed away in 2011 ,we miss him very much...R.I.P. William "Bill "Riley Sr

[@VirtualRailfanProductions]

I've occasionally seen water come out of the whistle on a few videos of other locomotives, but the one that sticks out for me the most was Frisco 1522 during the 1990 NRHS convention. She was heading over to the wye just outside of Newburg when the crew of the St. Louis Steam Train Association blew the whistle and water started to shoot out. They immediately started a Blowdown and open the cylinder cocks wide open to drain water from the boiler.

[@kenrose1154]

All aboard the soul funky train ( Let's go)

[@okguy05]

Successful break test? For the break dance?

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

@desertfox1250 he was doing so to start the train off easy. They had a small consist. And he kept on the pressure to not let the engine get ahead of him while he used the throttle to clear the cylinders. We had to keep at a slow speed so we could get over the interchange successfully

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

It would be an experience of a lifetime

[@andrewsybert9236]

That's Awesome! A train that's still in service? What's the story?

[@joaoricardoaraujogranzoto3050]

Yea he is alive, search up 844 and up 4014, you will see

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

It was just a matter of all the conditions for me to ride being just right. And, the steam crew (specifically Ed) has to have a name with your face and know who you are and what you are all about.

[@Patriot1776]

Hmm, so Nicholas, here Ed was keeping the brakes on, 844 pulling against the brakes, to hold things back so he could combine open cylinder cocks with a healthy amount of throttle and the reverser down 'in the corner' to get water blown out of the cylinders faster?

[@steeltrap3800]

More a matter of preference than suggesting either is better, but I find Ed Dickens is a tad excessive on the whistle. For my taste, Steve Lee did the job without seeming to hang on it to the point of making noise for the hell of it (he probably felt he was wasting steam otherwise, lol). Mind you, if that's how Mr Dickens wants to do things he's the boss. Fantastic video, thanks for sharing.

[@cellogirl11rw55]

1:04: I sound the same way at 7am. . . 😂

[@raptorproductions1639]

4:57 the whistle sounds clogged

[@Mike-01234]

Low steam pressure probably just for the spectators.

[@organbuilder272]

Don't you ever have to sort of cough and clear your throat? Would you deny this mighty machine the same right (And necessity)?

[@veronicamassey7472]

Happy new year

[@SteamKing2160]

How loud was it in the cab in terms of decibels?

[@timdidit]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

[@renegaderailfan]

Does 844 have in cab signaling

[@kcp629]

When you hear. That wisle sound. Its like. Hearing a call for the havens

[@robertgift]

Why so much steam coming from the cylinders? Doesn't take that long to blow out water.Would they consider putting grease on the inside of the rail heads when going through the switches?

[@Daichan1893]

i'm jealous... seriously... :( but good video :D hope i can ride her one day :D

[@garman1966]

Is the boiler pressure the same as the cylinder(or piston) pressure? I would think the cylinder pressure would have to be much greater than the boiler could withstand to drive a train.

[@douglasgroff7648]

Peter Karig Boiler pressure for the “modern” (circa 1930-1940’s) UP steam locomotives is 300 PSI. The safety pop offs are preset at this pressure. This is for the 844, 3985, and 4014. The cylinder pressure is always lower than the boiler pressure by some amount due to losses through piping and valves. Cylinder pressures will be higher when starting to move than when cruising at track speed. Typically it can range from 275 PSI down to as low as 0 PSI (drifting) when at speed. The cylinder pressure varies constantly due to throttle and reverser position, train load, and track geometry (vertical profile and horizontal alignment).

[@kremestation80]

3:10 that whistle

[@the4000class]

How did you get the chance to ride in the cab??

[@jgparks1065]

I got my ride in the cab of UP 3985 in 2010 by presenting UP Steam Engineer Bob Krieger with a framed 16 by 20 photograph of UP 844 pulling out of Ogden I had taken the year before on a Westbound trip. I caught up with Bob while RON in Ogden on the Eastbound trip home and gave him the photo. He allowed as how it was his birthday and that he appreciated the thought. I then asked about a future ride, and he told me to meet 3985 in Evanston at noon on 12 June 2010 for passage to Ogden. Here is a WordPress link to my photos and the story. oldbentnail.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/this-was-a-good-day/

[@maxm2317]

Nick, how much did it cost to ride in the cab?

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

It can also be used for dynamic braking, which is a much more efficient way of taking the steam train down the hill, as opposed to taking brake sets the whole way, wearing down those special passenger car brake shoes.

[@WWTBAMWinner]

2:09 That sign's gonna have to be updated.

[@UP4014SteamTrainFan]

+Jillips Entertainment 844 = 4014

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

thank you very much!

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

@Daichan1893 Thank You! Yeah it's an experience of a lifetime. More coming soon!

[@54fingerlakes]

Morris County Central Railroad engine 385 was 25% of the size of this engine--but the noise in the cab is about the same. It's a wonder I can hear as well as I can.

[@Snowtruckdriver]

Brake test; not Break great video

[@maxm2317]

I assume Mr. Ed was the engineer, right, jointlinerailfan?

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

@digikitty11 you are very welcome thanks for watching! Part 4 has just been put up, and 5 & 6 will be up soon!

[@wallystrainsandcoincollect5750]

One nice ride

[@jonnybeck6723]

...from the old iconic long spouted oil can to an air powered grease gun?

[@shyamalmitra7617]

Is this engine using a coal-fired boiler? If so then who is stoking it? I see nobody with a shovel here.

[@Azwarrior94]

Shyamal Mitra the 844 burns fuel oil. All of UPs FEF series locomotives, the 844 being part of the third generation (FEF3s) of that series, were converted to burn fuel oil shortly after WW2 due to coal shortages. Even while they were coal fired, though, no shoveling was actually needed to get the coal into the firebox, outside of actually firing up the locomotive, due to an mechanical stoker being fitted on pretty much every locomotive built after the 1900s. Likely with a few exceptions.

[@TheMetalButcher]

The trains that did use coal burned up to 25 tons an hour. You'd need to be a strong shovel man. That's 14lbs a second.

[@gaylenemorley916]

Union pacific you keep this baby agoing 844 ghostly whistle too firein the stove like engine you know how to make that ghostly sound that draws me to it i will be waiting to hear whistle.coming from weber canyon to ogden union station

[@ocrailfanner1995]

How did you get the cabride? Did you just ask and they said yes??

[@carburetedseltzer120]

Do you know who the engineer is?

[@CBM-Outdoors]

Ed Dickens, UP Steam Manager

[@timdidit]

What is the role of the diesel locomotives in the consist? Are they helpers, running all the time, or there "just in case" help is needed. Are they M/U'd to the steam locomotive in some manner, or are there engineers on the diesels that control them independently?

[@voidjavelin23]

they arent MUed to No. 844 whatsoever (duhh steam locomotive doesnt have a MU cable on the old days), they are indeed engineers inside the diesel. Diesel help steam locomotive with dynamic break support along with accompying modern day train protection and signalling system like PTC system consoles

[@LMatters1]

What's with repeated train brake applications? This is the best way I know to run out of auxiliary reservoir air. There's no way they are being fully charged between these applications (even with diaphragm triples).

[@LMatters1]

@Nathan Schmidt I'm talking about the old ways. I started on locomotives 1974!

[@DerangedDragon99]

I'll take a cab ride in an ALCO PA1, with a pair of ALCO PB1s following, and a train consisting of all streamlined cars, including dome cars. Steam is really good, but I am a diesel fan.

[@thomasboese3793]

"Any" cab ride, no matter what the locomotive it, is always welcomed...

[@louieee4014]

3:09 Now THAT'S how you blow a whistle

[@vyxsainspencer3895]

at the beginning why did the whistle sound so weird

[@rdmccun]

When he turns that valve and makes it chooch alot of steam. For what reason, or why does he do that?

[@TerryToon17]

To blow any water out of the cylinders, water does not compress and will bend valves rods etc. Once every thing is warmed up they close the valve. That's why they always do it on departure.

[@leslie0965]

pure glory

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

@BNSF7776 hey any ride is a good ride!

[@lyonjenkins]

it's also used for dynamic braking

[@chubby7570]

did they convert that to oil burning? i never see anyone shoveling coal into the firebox

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

844 is a oil burner...even if (and when) it was still under coal power, it would have been loaded by a Archimedes screw from the tender and spread into the firebox. the fireman would regulate the amount of coal from a lever in the cab....(at least this is how it worked on the 3900 class and the 4000 class...so I would assume by the size of the firebox there would need to be a lot of coal to keep the steam pressure up)

[@blakebiermann4316]

She was designed from the start to burn oil. All of the FEFs were

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

Geezer65 thanks

[@austinniederjohn9813]

+Geezer65 she did burn coal when she was fresh out of the alco company but since she has been in service for a long time they decided to convert her to burn oil since coal got too expensive to buy or purchase especially if it is only for one locomotive before the Challenger was rebuild in 1979

[@MrGGPRI]

Why doesn't the 844 have a forward video camera to help the engineer with the view ahead; seems like this would be a simple and effective safety device.

[@raptorproductions1639]

MrGGPRI they can’t just put a camera on the front of a locomotive and there is already so much the engineer has to pay attention to also it would ruin the fun if they had a completely clear view because the fact that over half of the engineers view is blocked it adds to the suspense when going around a bend because you never know what could pop up next

[@maccmusic113]

If i could do it all over again I would be an engineer

[@inkyscrolls5193]

Brakes, not *breaks.

[@Tinsby]

Thank YOU! I wanted to say the same thing! If the brakes are broken they can't brake and there's noting worse than taking a break when you should be fixing the broken brakes!

[@Sethdominus777]

Inky Scrolls nope it's breaks

[@Landaux]

Boy you MUST get a hernia pulling that whistle cord!!

[@sanjursan]

It's morning. Get UP!

[@kenrose1154]

Wilson Pickett's " Engine No. 9 ( 844)

[@desertfox1250]

i dont understand why the driver is applying the automatic brake and starting the train at the same time?? he then makes several subsequent reductions of BP Pressure?? Why is he doing this?

[@veronicamassey7796]

nice video B-)

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

Doesn't cost anything

[@michaelhollingsworth4688]

Blow that awesome whistle

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

@Max Medaglia that's correct

[@3578craig]

starting a steam locomotive can be a tricky proposition if you are inexperienced

[@theamazingtattletale8983]

Thoes engineer's look tiny when standing next to the union pacific 844

[@madame-rosalitaduchesse7636]

But why i do look this jewelry loco the 20th time?

[@Sethdominus777]

Toot toot

[@MovieModerator]

Lol, she didn't have enough steam built up for that whistle to really sing.

[@betomorales2386]

Nice.

[@rungcox4823]

R.I.P up844 red strobe light ,😢😭

[@nickwashingon9530]

lel lolololllololololol 1774 they probably will put it on after they're done with 4014 and find new bolts to support it

[@ole9421]

I hate those elephant ears. Always thought they destroyed the look of the front boiler.

[@davidreyes2298]

Well if you don't know this the ears are to block the smoke when at a certain speed

[@alanmexwell6876]

Locomotive steam whistle sounds like a bull mated a bull frog

[@JQNAH]

5:57

[@BeagJohn]

Far-Out!

[@OCanalDeVideoGames]

I managed to ride in the cabin of a diesel, but instead of driving he let me drive and maneuver

[@xvp40virus]

Throw affirmative action out and fit 4 more.

[@zmancompton]

channel 666?

[@cantbyou3086]

It's really too bad they just have the diesel electric doing all the work, the Steam engine is just going through the motions and not doing much. You can tell because anytime it starts going up a grade it doesn't lug down like it would if it was pulling.

[@allegheny48]

+Can't B you The diesel is included in the consist as both emergency power in case of a breakdown and to assist 844 with dynamic braking on the down grade. It also helps supply the passenger cars with power for air conditioning, etc. Other than that 844 is pulling everything that has been tied to her tender coupler. Many folks have forgotten just how much pulling power a modern steam locomotive actually has.

[@baritonebynight]

The diesel sure is UGLY.