N&W

N&W 1218 pulls a 100 car coal train on May 4, 1987
Footage is from "1218 Coal Train" by Main Line Motion Pictures.
mlmp.tripod.com/

[@1MTSRider]

The Steam Locomotive in my opinion, the most beautiful machine man ever created and built.

[@1940limited]

Steam locomotives are living, breathing objects. I don't think there's a person on earth that won't sit up and take notice when one goes by.

[@Earthshaker513]

Exactly, it's no mere dead piece of metal, but a living machine. As someone once said, "If man has invented a machine with half the soul of a steam locomotive, he hasn't filed for a patient yet."

[@RailPreserver2K]

1MTSRider as the savior of the 4501 once said "displaying a cold steam locomotive is like propping up a corpse"

[@manda60]

Steam locomotives, finely crafted shotguns, and violins - three objects that are as lovely in form as in function, and represent the pinnacle of the artistry of their makers.

[@screamindemon6x]

I thought it was me walking with a cigar

[@RailPreserver2K]

100 coal hoppers + 0 diesels + the 1218 = authentic N&W steam era coal train, recreated in 1987

[@paultroyer3693]

A MEN!! 😊

[@Wilett614]

Beautiful Indeed Lets see this with a Y6B as well ...Love those Articulated class A's and Y6's

[@Davidwilson-fq7jf]

The online

[@Davidwilson-fq7jf]

The only reason diesels are added is for dynamic brakes for downhill

[@ashleydemoss4609]

Stronger than any diesel

[@trainknut]

Exactly how it should be. Coincidentally, it actually makes sense for this particular locomotive to have an auxiliary water tender in freight service, because N&W frequently put water tenders on their trains in revenue service... plus, as a bonus, many of those cars would have still been marked N&W in 1987.

[@1940limited]

7 years later I still watch this video and enjoy it. I'd like to see UP's 4014 do something like this. The strength of train couplers always amazes me. Notice the coach tucked in behind the tender. 100 coal cars attached to it, no problem.

[@mikeCAT-D813A]

Yeah but way to much wasted steam every departure 😫

[@thetoycannon9813]

​​@@mikeCAT-D813Awasted steam?

[@CSX4772]

Some steam is going to be lost, even sitting idling. That's why you have a tender or tenders that have plenty of fuel and make-up feed water.

[@thetoycannon9813]

@@mikeCAT-D813A wasted steam??

[@sinosuke12345]

What a very haunting yet very amazing sounding whistle. Almost like the locomotive is shouting a battle cry.

[@phillyfan-182]

The haunting sound almost sounds like a ghost train.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

1218 has the best hooter whistle! I felt like I went to the 50s

[@The20thCenturyLimited]

+Thunderbolt 1000 Siren Productions yep she does have nice hooters lol

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

But with a classic 1980s VHS camera ;)

[@SPNGLovato18]

Driver: we need 3 or 4 Csx engines to pull this empty coal 1218: hold my soda

[@union_4014]

4014: i can pull more

[@SteamKing2160]

@@union_4014 2156: I can pull more than you and I'm stronger

[@TheBroughamGamer]

@@SteamKing2160 y6a is good yes but y6b is slightly better lol

[@SteamKing2160]

@@TheBroughamGamer lol even I know that I just wish 2174 wasn't cut up for scrap

[@TheBroughamGamer]

@@SteamKing2160 you got that right! N&W for ever!

[@crwi1983]

Not many videos anywhere where 1218 actually has to work a little. The second shot, when she starts, is magic. And the going-away shot with the position light signals, perfection! And that whistle, oh it cuts to the bone!

[@yerkees01]

If that wasn't the best day of that engineer's life, I'd be amazed. Using a beast like that in the way it was built for, I'm foaming at the thought lol

[@nigelterry9299]

Love the whistle, reminiscent of the LMS hooters over in the U.K.!

[@boblackey1]

The finest steam locomotive ever built. It had the power to pull heavy freight and the speed to power crack passenger service. I see it sitting on a side track at a museum in Roanoke, Va several times a month. There is a Y6 there too. It had tremendous power at 10mph. Both were designed in house by N&W to be perfect for their Railroad. The J class passenger engine also was designed for running on N&W track. Once just west of Norfolk with a 15 car passenger train, they ran it up to 100mph with no problem so they added more steam and bang they were doing 110 mph. Designers at N&W built in house engines in Roanoke which were among the best steam locomotives in the world. Reliable, less maintenance, big power and economical. In 1959 a Mr. Saunders became CEO and thought the N&W was living in the past and not forward looking. Slowly more and more new diesels were replacing steam until they were being scrapped as relics of old school technology. Why did that happen? Saunders wasn't an old N&W man. Somehow they let an outsider in the front office. The big East End Shop in Roanoke quit making locomotives because now the N&W was like the other railroads. Diesel power and buying them rather that making them in town.

[@raoulcruz4404]

The N&W held out for a long time with steam power. Longer than any of the big roads. I have a book on the N&W, written a long time ago. They did a test between diesels and steam. Day to day, the steam locomotives were more economical to operate. Their outstanding pulling power made them efficient and their coal cost per h.p. was less than the diesels. The kicker was maintenance. The diesels could travel much, much farther between maintenance intervals. And when in the shop, diesels were in for a shorter period of time and less costly.

[@JapaneseCityPopCat]

Man! This video makes me cry, it's so beautiful! Absolutely haunting and glorious whistle! And of course she's more than a beauty herself! A pure legend and hard-working lady. Nothing beats a steam engine for lifting my spirits!

[@JonsGarage89]

If you ever get the chance...try and hang out in danville va when NW 611 comes through. It is the most mournful experience ever. I cried when I heard her in the distance. Such an eerie sound of a different era echoing through the town...

[@JapaneseCityPopCat]

Jon's Garage Thanks for the tip! :) Seeing a steam engine is both a wallop of nostalgia for an era a lot of people never experienced first-hand, as well as a swell of pride, hope, and joy.

[@sooline3854]

If you want haunting, listen to O.W. Link's recording "Rural Retreat" Turn your volume to max, mute everything else, close your eyes, and listen.

[@willx666x666]

1218 has tha best whistle ever

[@Moltar_Railfan]

william harlos I think 765 has a better whistle but 1218 still sounds badass

[@joaoricardoaraujogranzoto3050]

Big Boy is better

[@trainchaser17b91]

Joao Ricardo Araujo Granzoto no it’s not

[@ScoopDaddy488]

I think 4501 has the best personally but the hooters do sound good.

[@TheBroughamGamer]

@@joaoricardoaraujogranzoto3050 I spy another UP foamer

[@MossyOakRcn42]

One of the greatest whistles of all time hands-down. Man it would have been awesome to be next to those tracks in 1987 when #1218 thundered past with that eerie whistle sounding off.

[@davidstarkweather7764]

It was indeed quite thrilling to see this engine in person.

[@JerryNSretired]

Lookin' back............... Now retired, I realize I worked at a time when the steam program was very much a part of our work. The trains were handled, operationally, the same way they were in 1940! This was 1982, and I, Operator at Charlotte, handed up orders to most ALL of them at one time or another---even rode ON them at times. When 1218 first went to B'ham for rebuild, I watched it going by our station! Seems so long, long ago!

[@brycenew]

EXCELLENT!!!! One of the best sounding, looking & performing steamers ever. What a class; what a loco 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ddkoda]

Well done video. Great stereo effect. This is what 1218 was designed and built for, pulling heavy freight. I was on several excursions with this articulated locomotive and her sheer power and tractive enabled her to pull that whole consist under any type of condition without breaking a sweat and with plenty of power to spare.

[@samschaeffer8236]

I remember fondly, in 1990 chasing 1218 around NW Ohio and filming it (remember VHS?). Even though these coal cars appear empty, in the first scene, 1218 still had great acceleration from a dead stop, as I had seen in 1990 when she easily handled 18 heavyweight passenger cars, including grades. I never heard anything like that deafening whistle! And I remember the ground shaking when she went by, just a few feet away.

[@petewahkoowah2652]

I have a Williams all brass O gauge of #1218. It is my favorite steam locomotive of all time and to me, it represents the very best of American engineering. I love all trains, locomotives, freight and passenger, but the #1218 holds a special place in my heart. I see her and I just love to listen to her whistle and bell. Most of all, I love listening to her releasing steam. Its as if she were alive. Which, for all intents and purposes, she is. Steam locomotives are alive. The basics are there. Water, fire, coal or oil, but they're there creating a symphony of noises that can only best be described as living, breathing machinery. My second favorite locomotive and it was close, is the K-27. As utilized by the Rio Grande Cumbres&Toltec Railroad over in New Mexico/ Colorado. That locomotive just amazes me in how it was engineered. All those moving parts. Each depending on the other. Yet without water and fire and coal, nothing works. Its another example of American engineering at its finest. Even to this very day, you can see, hear, smell and ride on the train pulled by a K-27. Though narrow gauge, she can pull with the best of them and in style with class. My third favorite is the Forney outside frame narrow gauge steam locomotive. Very few in existence, let alone working condition. Maine has several and utilize them as part of a real working historical excursion train. The Forney, despite its diminutive size, is amazing. Basically the locomotive/ tender are one. The tender riding on a 2 wheeled truck. The look of the locomotive is pure art and considering she was designed, by the man with the same name, back in the turn of the previous century, she looks awesome in just about any scenery. These are my personal favorite steam locomotives. Though some might not share in my choices, I cannot compare them to any other type steamers. Each is unique in its own special way, but once the pipes are cracked open, they become living, breathing machines engineered to do amazing things.🚂🚂🚂

[@Duececoupe]

If it looks right, it IS right....and dammit, 1218 looks right from any and every angle and she sounds heavenly too! 👍👌👏😍

[@kensjobs2237]

Let's get this great locomotive restored and back to life earning it's keep, we need some advertising and get the money together once 4014 is finished let's get 1218 inline next, I know parts are missing but they are not the end of the world, for every problem there's always an answer! I'm sure with enough support and fundraising 1218 will be back on the rails and that great whistle sounding again!! 👍

[@Dethsquirrel]

Of all the cool things Mr. Robert Claytor ever did, that run was the coolest. RIP Mr. Claytor.

[@dylanwatson1287]

1218 in my opinion is most likely the most awesome and greatest locomotive that has ever run in the post steam era. That was Bob Claytor's baby actually right there and the stupid management right after him at NS killed that beast in '94-95 from ever returning to the high Iron with 611. It would absolutely take a miracle from heaven to get her back in running condition. That means someone with a massively paid check to the VMT and a dedicated crew to finish her rebuild.

[@arkansastrash320]

That's a real shame too!!

[@craigm2520]

Actually to redo 1218 it would not need nearly the work rumored. For a while it was said that the parts were lost or destroyed, that a ton had to be recast-ed etc.. but they do still have everything and it would probably cost similar to 611s restoration. The problem is 611 is enough work for the VMT solo before you even consider the cost of another restoration.

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

For a video from 1987, the sound quality is incredible

[@alexthesouthernpacificmt4879]

IKR

[@pauljw7697]

N&W #1218 had the most beautiful whistle I've ever heard on any steam locomotive. There's no mistaking what locomotive you're hearing. I spent a day at VMT back in 2017 & got to talk to an old timer who worked at the N&W Roanoke Shop. The whistle sounds were the same for each model of loco that N&W built. The employees & management at the shops knew which model loco was sounding its whistle at the turntable outside. They didn't have to look too confirm it either. I'm so happy I spent time back in 1988 & 1989 chasing 1218 & 611 throughout the hills of Virginia. The sound of each locomotive's whistles is burnt into my memory. Right where they belong. It's a shame 611 doesn't have the correct whistle on it now. I understand a grandson of the Claytor's has possession of the original whistle from 611.

[@nigelterry9299]

She is one massive beastie I would love to see and I normally dislike articulated engines. It's that Stanier type hooter that makes the deal for me. Greetings from the UK!!!!!

[@damonsmith9320]

That whistle almost reminds me of an old WW2 air raid siren. Everyone knows what it is, everyone pays attention to it, and it SCREAMS for attention.

[@TheMasterClue]

Yes and no about the cost of diesels vs steam. The N&W in 1952 defeated the EMD demonstrator during testing. Other railroads found diesel cheaper, but on the N&W the steamers were almost always running. The coal they burnt came from mines the N&W owned, so fuel cost was less vs diesel, the crews could service a Y6 faster than a F unit, and the Y6,A and J classes were more powerful than the demonstrators. It was calculated that 6 F7's would be needed to replace one Y6. The only reason N&W finally gave in around 1959 was parts for feedwater heaters, water pumps, ect could no longer easily be found to keep the giants running.

[@dylan8495]

+TheMasterClue not to sound like a downer but is it possible that the only reason they could service a y6 faster was because they where used to them.

[@RailPreserver2K]

TheMasterClue they could have just built replacement parts themselves

[@gareldkazeeii4510]

TheMasterClue Environmentalists probably faint when they see steam locomotives operating lol

[@markantony3875]

6 F7s to replace one Y. Hahaha dream on. Now I know F7s were low tech first generation diesel-electrics, but 6 F7s would produce 9000 HP and have a combined 339,000 lbs tractive effort starting and 250,000 lbs continuous tractive effort. 6 F7s would destroy a Class Y in a test.

[@GudrezBilly]

@@markantony3875 The cost of running and maintaining 6 F7s would be much higher. Also Y6 locomotives were powerful enough to pull more than couplers could handle at the time, so I dunno about that..

[@espeescotty]

There is no mistaking 1218's whistle with anything that's run in the last 50 years. So unique. It is serious and means business!

[@TheUnflushedToilet]

I agree! I would love to hear it's whistle one day even if it isn't on the 1218, I'd just love to hear it.

[@espeescotty]

@@TheUnflushedToilet I can't confirm it as actual fact, but the whistle now being used on Western Maryland 1309 (former C&O 2-6-6-2 1309) is the whistle from the 1218 and it sure sounds like it. Checkout some of the many videos of the WM 1309.

[@TheUnflushedToilet]

@@espeescotty I have seen vids of it but I don't know if it has the 1218 whistle, I'll check some of the comments and see if I can confirm.

[@espeescotty]

@@TheUnflushedToilet I know some steamers running today will have 2 whistles. After your comment I looked, and I have now seen vids where there are 2 distinct whistles on the 1309. But I don't hear 2 in the same clip. There is a definite N&W "hooter" like 1218's and then what I presume is 1309's original C&O whistle.

[@iRECKONER]

Wow this is AWESOME! just picture every train you see today being pulled by these! Ha take me back to that era! Talk about cinders and soot !!! Awesome vid!

[@4501trainman]

Another reason the N&W got rid of Steam was because of their new CEO in the late 1950's by the name of Stuart T. Saunders. They say in one of the books I have that he was a Lawyer and not a Railroad-Man. He was in such a hurry to replace-Steam,that sometimes the N&W would come up short on motive-power and have to borrow Diesels from the Atlantic Coast Line,and Pennsylvania Railroads. A lot of the workers at the East-End-Shops where they repaired and had built Steam never forgave him for putting them out of work. Plus they had at the time,an endless supply of coal for fuel along their line and a lot of their modern Steam Locomotives could travel over 500-miles between runs before needing serviced in their Lubitorium's. They were like an Auto-Oil-Change place today with hoses which hung-down from the ceiling on the sides for quick-oil-service. It only took a few hours turn-around-time compared to other Railroads that had operated Steam.

[@RailPreserver2K]

in one scene i saw 1218 high balling passed and that told me the old girl still has got a lot of life left in her and its nice to see what she could do best hauling the very thing she burned through the very mountains the same thing she was burning came from. nice video btw the scene in question is at 4:12

[@JollyRodders]

Back in the days when all you saw were these massive locos at work it must have been something else. You can understand why little boys wanted to be engine drivers.

[@est86leo]

@ColumbiaAndHoodRiver 100 empty coal hoppers is surprisingly light, around 3800 tons, give or take. That's comparable to a fully loaded manifest train around 40 cars. A single road unit like a Dash 9 or MAC could pull that empty drag. Reason you usually see four motors is so two run, distribute the fuel consumption, and the other two probably in ISOLATE, not contributing any power till the train is loaded. Its still nice to see a single steamer pulling it all; could pull a diesel under load.

[@Triplex5014]

Random European steam locomotive: Thoooot! N&W 1218: That's cute! _inhales_ *WOOOOOOAAAAAAOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!*

[@SynchroScore]

Funny, this random European steam locomotive sounds exactly the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoqxlWt_r6yNoq8

[@rgsnidow1]

You could hear her coming around the curve and along the river and pinnicle rocks toward Castle rock tunnels and the sound echoing off of those rocks and river would send chills down your spine and that second whistle was the exact same one the engineer gave for the tunnel...the exhaust always sounded better than the Y's....

[@grahamsawyer831]

hope this can happen again one day. a truly awesome creation, looks like half a steelworks on wheels

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

Man, 1218's whistle is so beautiful to listen to! She was a real powerhouse, and I real hope that, someday, it'll be possible to get her back on the high iron again.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

You wanna know a steam locomotive that has more tractive effort than a Dash-9? An N&W Y6, in simple mode.

[@electrik_loss]

I think she's an A-Class. 2156 is a Y6 tho

[@ronanvave560]

@@electrik_loss You are absolutely right. The 1218 is indeed an A class. Plus the 2156 is a Y6a.

[@electrik_loss]

@@ronanvave560 ah, I forgot the difference between 6a and 6b! Thanks for the reminder though!

[@ntytp]

@@electrik_loss Y6a has 166,00 tractive effort Y6b has 170,000

[@electrik_loss]

@@ntytp oh thank you!

[@eoj2495]

That N&W whistle. Very much like the old British steamers. Just awesome!

[@MySteamChannel]

I keep coming back for this glorious sound. Greets from Australia.

[@drfunk411]

One word. Power. Great hooter too. Haunting even.

[@RyanChugg]

Man!!! That whistle!!! WOW!!! I love it! It sounds great hauling that load!! Man!! All of that power N&W sure built some machines!

[@drby0788]

A lot of people don’t realize that the articulated steam locos were not even 25 years old when they were retired...still plenty left in the tank!

[@joeshmo8202]

Yeah it's a shame. In there youth and they get scrapped. Except for 1218 of course.

[@deloreanman14]

I simply LOVE seeing steam locomotives pulling heavy freight loads without diesels. It reminds you of something magical of a time gone by.

[@Corvidae51]

UP 3985 and UP 844 ARE amazing... I'm a UP fan coming from Missouri. But nothing will ever compete with that whistle starting at 4:12. For that is truly the banshee of the country side, and what makes people believe in ghost trains. Long live. N&W#1218.

[@KptLehmann100]

What a beautiful machine!

[@Lightwolf333]

Sweet video man! And to think this is what it would have looked like for southern railroading back in the day. Grate video.

[@gordonsnell6735]

Pretty cool & that hooter whistle sounds real good too

[@trainmaster1548]

thats awesome footage! love the power and mean it looks.

[@christopherd2100]

It's good to see 'em putting the old girl to work, not letting it gather dust in some museum somewhere.

[@YellowWhiteRose]

chris donner that was 1987. 1218 is atatic at VMT today

[@buntik1687]

One of my favourite steam locomotives

[@mikemurphy7711]

That engine is a HOSS, and a tough whistle to match! It brought those 100 cars right up to speed quickly! Bet it would give BigBoy a run for the money!

[@PlugMartian]

Not a diesel in sight. Exactly as it should be! It's a disgusting crime that she's nothing but a shell now.

[@raritanriverrailroadfan4418]

+PlugMartian Disgusting crime indeed.

[@bg147]

I wonder if they will ever get her going again. From what I hear, she is well cared for.

[@TestECull]

She's far more than a shell and would be fairly easy to put back into operation, far easier than 4014 is turning out to be. 4014 WAS pretty much just a rusted hulk, 1218 was alraedy halfway through a restoration when they stopped. PRetty much all she needs is the boiler work finished and hte dust brushed off.

[@PlugMartian]

I would be happy to know you are correct. Maybe I'll get to see her run again before I die. I just assumed that since a RTM worker told me she was nothing but a shell, that was the case. "You can open the smoke box door and see clear to the backhead because there is literally nothing inside her. They were supposed to renovate her but they gutted her and sent her back to us. She's just a shell. Doubtful they'll ever run her again." That was around 6 months or so after she came back to the museum. Perhaps the guy was talking smack or something, but I figured he would know better then I would.

[@DillonTrinhProductions]

stop acting like a little bitch

[@bobbyjekins9807]

I just bought two dvd about 3985 vs 1218 and there great. they do a nice job of compairing the two monstorous locomotives & there is alot of awesome footage as well

[@iMadeAPromise42]

I had a dream once that portable videotape cameras existed in the 1950s and I watched footage of N&W A's on coal trains that was shot on such equipment. This is the closest thing I've found to that dream lol

[@marcosferreira27]

I like that in my country, Brazil, the policy would prove more willingly to preserve our history as you guys do around here have groups fighting for Panther's memory alive, congratulations

[@1931lugosi]

Very good demo of the tractive force of a steam locomotive, even if they were empty. One of the best sounding whistles ever! Come on Norfolk get this thing back out on the line. I have video's of these locomotives pulling full coal hoopers this long but they needed a pusher when grades were involved. Steam is magical.

[@jamesmccann1097]

Any steam engine running today is a glorius thing. Bring out the Allegheny king of them all.

[@TheMasterClue]

From what I understand, 1218 and 611 were gutted and most of the internals sold off when they retired them in the early 90's. I would love to see the 1218 return, but it would require a lot of custom machining. I personally think the Norfolk's A class is a better looking than the Challengers, but that is my opinion. :)

[@DASCO2136]

yes. Magestic machines of power, speed and grace. I wish i was my age back when these engines were in operation instead of in 2010 and having them stuffed in Roanoke.

[@Corvidae51]

Goodness I am in love with that haunting whistle.. don't get me wrong UP 3985 and 844 sound great. But the whistle on this thing is one that shrills through your bones in an erie kinda way that makes UP 3985 and 844 sound hoarse. And love every note of it.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

Surprisingly, 1218 has hauled heavier loads in her revenue days, solo even, and coal cars were lighter than they were in the 80s. It's one thing to simply say that most diesels are more powerful, but to bash steamers for it (or another reason) is another thing. Steam is very lucky to be operational anywhere due to costs and it is always a pleasure to see them roll by, whether it's revenue freight, photo freight or a regular excursion. Yeah most diesels have superior tractive effort, but that does NOT mean steam is weak.

[@nigelterry9299]

Awesome display of power and no diesels!!!!!!

[@wolfzillaproductions4563]

This video right here proves that steam engines are better than diesels when it comes to trains. Usually at least 2 or 3 Diesel engines are needed to pull 100 freight cars, but 1218 is doing the same job single-handed and unaided in this video. Now *that’s* power.

[@Rocketboy1950]

Never let the facts get in the way of a good fantasy. It might have taken a few F units to replace a nice big articulated steam loco but lets compare then and now :- Big Boy tractive effort 135.000lbs. SD70ace tractive effort 191,000lbs starting 167,000 continuous. Bearing that in mind I'd much rather watch a Big Boy or an Allegheny than an SD70

[@markantony3875]

LOL. So true. Steam is interesting to watch from a historic perspective. However, I think many of these people commenting that steam should return were on vacation when God was handing out brain cells. I think many of them also think the Earth is flat, and cars should be replaced with Conestoga wagons.

[@ffjsb]

@DASCO2136 You don't have to go that far back. I rode behind 1218 several times in the 80's until 611 took over the excursion duties. And that whistle, man you can literally feel through your whole body!

[@paultroyer3693]

Still Remember Watching Her Chasing Her As She'd Run Especially 100 Loads Of Coal!! .. Up Hills & Mountains Queen Of The Rails .. Son & Me Meant SOO MUCH .. Pray Some Day They'll Bring Her Back .. Like They Did BIG Boy And Went All In On Total Restoration Of Put Back On Rails GOD BLESS YALL 😊

[@fafnir242]

I would almost dare say that first clip is probably the fastest you'll ever see a Class A on a coal drag. Lol.

[@joshandkorinna]

Mark Schofield From what I've read they'd run em 80mph + through the dismal swamp in the 80's. Some old N&W book I got.

[@fafnir242]

@@joshandkorinna Was that book N&W Giant of Steam, perhaps?

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

This was an impressive sight to observe with the performance of N&W 1218 hauling freight during 1987. You don't see steam locomotives hauling freight very often in the modern era of railroad, I would love to see UP big boy 4014 haul this type of trainload at some point during the future. Steam locomotives hauling freight trains is an enjoyable sight to see during the 21st century with diesels being common motive power, and it fits the representation of the old school style railroad operations.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@bob lackey @deloreanman14 Back in the 1218's day, the N&W "A" classes used to pull 175-load, 13,000 ton coal drags at 60 MPH on the flats by themselves. That engine doesn't even notice those 100 empties clipped to its drawbar.

[@manga12]

heh thats the power of steam, heck I was told even the 765 npk would pull 100 car trains unaided, though the freight cars were half the size back then that is still 50 cars I very seldom see a single engine pull 50 freight cars unaded, let alone a coke run like today on my way home they used two of those 4300 hp jobs on the csx and though there is a speed limit of 15mph for heavy trains like that it took them forever to get up to speed, I bet the 765 could have got up to speed faster, but its not apples to apples to compare them, all I know is that with steam you can put almost all the power into it at once, it will spin the drivers but with a diesel electro it has a limiter and will only wind up so fast while that will help prevent wheelslip it dont change the fact its slower to accelerate. ah maybe one day 1218 too will get fired up, it would be one of few double driver mallet style locos running I think the only other two were the challanger and the big boy and both are out of service I hear right now, though big boy 4014 is in the steamshop under restoration as we speak and has precedence in getting the attention right now.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

manga12 To be sure, the big articulateds hardly had a monopoly on pulling power. A Nickel Plate Berkshire could walk away with almost 130 cars on level track, and an engine like a C&O T-1 could haul away 160 cars or better. As far as a Nickel Plate Berk being able to accelerate a train faster, I don't really think so. That's pretty much just a matter of available horsepower and tractive effort. Wheelslip in a locomotive is a much bigger problem than it is in a car (and even then, it wastes almost a quarter of the horsepower that a car can make). If your wheels slip, what little traction your engine's steel wheels may have had will be cut by a similar percentage. It will wear down your wheels and can also wear spots in the track. The traction control systems on a diesel are an advantage because the computer can tweak things so that the maximum amount of power is going to the rails, without putting down so much power that the wheels slip. And while I also hope 1218 will be restored, and 2156 after her, the 1218, 3985, and 4014 are not true Mallets, in that they don't use compound expansion, i.e. large volume, low pressure front cylinders run with exhaust steam from the rear cylinders. The 2156 is a true Mallet, but it isn't being restored for operation yet, and it might never be. However, there is one true Mallet that is being restored for operation, which is the C&O 1309 2-6-6-2, which was just recently pulled out of the B&O museum in Baltimore, and will be operated by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. There is also on-and-off talk of restoring the C&O 1601 to operation.

[@manga12]

yes I know a real mallet was a high pressure back, and low pressure front, but the whole split and articulted drivers refers to the concept of the mallet, as for the t1s they say they were the fastest locomotives afoot going over 130mph at times though there was never any documentation about it unlike the british mallard class, as for the steam they could apply almost all the power at once and get it moving, a diesle electro has a speed limiter that keeps it slow at first, and I belive I read or heard somewhere that even the steamers had some kind of wheelslip limiters on them in the latter era like 1930's onward, but I cant say where on youtube I heard it or read it. but for raw power and pulling you cant beat a steamer, I just wish the turbine locos were more effective that first one in the 1930s was a neat concept and a small boiler that was ready in about 20 minuts to heat, but the air vanes did not work well, and the power it put out was lackluster at best, and then you have the other ones like the big blows that worked well as electro generating but ate up soo much fuel, and the experament for the hybrid diesle and turbine for hi speed rail but the small size of the turbine just dont have the ecconomies of scale unlike a large one for a ship, long range aircraft, or powerplant generator to get the amount of power out of it vs amount of fuel burned, and its too stinking bad I love turbines and jet engines, they have less moving parts to work on, more power in a smaller size and love the windup sound they make :) maybe one day they get it to work maybe one day. as for 1309 I have not heard of this loco previously I will have to check it out, and hope maybe one day just maybe that the biggest and most powerful reciprecating steam loco will return to the rails the c&o h8 class the Allegany class, it even puts the bigboy to shame with its weight and power, though it eats coal like its going out of style, too bad though you could not get a steamer to run on hard coal or coke it would be cleaner burning and produce more power though it would need a better firebox that could take the higher heat. maybe one day, for now though in the last two years the 21st century steam is up and running and for the popularity of the steam excursions it is a good day and age, you have the last northern j type being put back to shape 611 and if all goes well the 4014 will run the rails again in a few short years showing the true power of an era gone by and all but forgoten to the modern generation of kids till now.

[@UnIonPacCheyenne]

FS2K4Pilot It takes at least 17,000 HP to pull 13,000 tons @ 60 MPH, assuming level track and no curves. The Class A was a 5400 DBHP locomotive, so there is no physical way a single Class A could do that.

[@manga12]

perhaps howerever the steamers had a higher peak hp when they were at a certain speed and the larger drivers the more the speed, and back then they did not often have the roller bearings like they do today, however the challenger is rated at about 6200 hp roughly, I would like to add.

[@Rayo_Rob_No.17]

Amen gentlemen... I'd love to see more steam on the rails again... Especially pulling long trains and operating like this! Great stuff!

[@HaleHunterz]

Brute force steam power at it's finest. Nice vid!!

[@Wilett614]

The Class A Locomotive shown here is a "Simple'' 4 cylinder Articulated locomotive . Meaning STEAM is introduced into ALL FOUR cylinders at once . RAW POWER indeed !! Just watch her Exhaust Stacks BOTH of them !! and LISTEM to STEAM POWER of the 20th Century ! Class A locomotives were DUAL Service , meaning they were used in Passenger Service as well as Freight hauling due to their Incredible Speed and Power . Magnificent Locomotives in their Day !!! : ))

[@billsargent3407]

Sounded like a pissed dinosaur. Imagine in WW2, being some middle aged farmer 10 miles away and hearing that. You'd know your son was coming home or we'd die trying ....

[@TexZak]

@essartee76 I wholeheartedly agree. The railroad I work for runs a steam engine on occasion, and as nice as it is, it's nothing compared to the diesel locomotives we use every day.

[@MamaEtna]

She's pretty impressive hauling at coal drag.

[@jacksalvin364]

Norfolk and Western 2-6-6-4 No. 1218 was pulling The Coal Train.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

Still, a good run. 1218 belongs back on the mainline hauling excursions, not in a museum.

[@boblackey1]

I recently read a rail expert commenting on Norfolk & Western's homemade steam locomotives in Roanoke, Va: "Back then Norfolk and Western didn't learn from anybody! There people at their Roanoke shops wrote the book!"

[@THOMAS81Z]

AHHHH 1987. HAD STEAM ON THE MAINLINE, BATTLESHIPS IN THE NAVY ,& REGAN IN THE WHITEHOUSE, MAN DIDNT KNOW HOW GOOD WE HAD IT ...........

[@Huttser17]

1218 We miss you, even those of us who have never heard your triumphant roar... Also: Can diesels even go that fast with so many cars?

[@OutdoorsSC]

We love our train videos in Clemson SC, Go Tigers!

[@ffej980]

Norfolk Southern spent money on the heritage units.Union Pacific is restoring a BigBoy.Time to get the 1218 fired up!

[@JerryNSretired]

CSX FAN, actually I hired to Southern, then we merged with NW to become NS. At merger, I was an Extra clerk at Hayne Yard, and train order operator. I handed up orders to many of the steam trains like 4501 and 2716. Not so much 1218, but I watched it by Charlotte some. I used 2716's cab to deadhead back to Charlotte once. I still have my SR lantern and my Hamilton pocket watch: its 101 years old now! Still works! Workin' on the railroad is like nothing else you'll ever do! It is ROUGH!

[@gunsaway1]

Gotta love them hooter whistles

[@YourHobbyConnection]

I find it freaking amazing at how the locomotive was able to pull all that weight from a dead stop!! Did you hear the pitch changes as she began to move? I mean to tell you, it was amazing!! You don't know what you're missing if you never heard it before!! I LOVE steam trains and would LOVE to see RR's use more Steam power. I know it'll never happen. But I love the sounds and expressions of these steam giants!! Too bad others don't enjoy them!

[@Wilett614]

Super Heated STEAM is one of the most POWERFUL forms of Energy . This locomotive Begins pulling a MANY THOUSAND TON train from a Full DEAD STOP . All the Engineer is doing is introducing STEAM into those 4 Cylinders that are DEAD Still and that Energy ALONE starts the TRAIN in MOTION ! No Diesel locomotive even today can do this by itself .

[@davidstarkweather7764]

@@Wilett614 It's not a many thousand ton train, it's about a one thousand ton train, actually less (but similar) in weight than what this engine pulled on excursions(12-20+ 80-100 ton passenger cars). A lot less than what it pulled in freight service (about 3-5,000 tons, 60-80 freight cars). An empty hopper is less than 10 tons.

[@thetoycannon9813]

​@davidstarkweather7764 what is the purpose of this comment other than the distraction and take away from 1218's accomplishments? But a lot of your facts and statements are wrong. Newer Aluminum lightweight hoppers come in at just shy of 50,000lbs. 1218 was pulling older and heavier hoppers wich would weigh even more. Thats 25 tons per individual car, a lot more that 10 as you stated... so 1 statement is incorrect. Also, a 100 car train of empty hoppers (estimated 50,000lbs per hopper) equals out to be 2,500 tons. A lot more than 1,000 you stated. So thats 2 statements thays your incorrect. Starting from a dead stop with the best roller bearings in the buisness, 114,000+ Lbs of tractive effort with ease is amazing. That would take multiple diesels to do. This locomotive was made to haul large amounts of loaded freight through the Blue Ridge mountains during war time. Come on man.... don't disrespect

[@davidstarkweather7764]

@@thetoycannon9813 You are wrong. Empty hoppers do not weigh 50 tons. Go look up some facts and get a grip.

[@RailPreserver2K]

i just wish i was alive when the engine was running in excursion service but oh well being born at the start of the 21 century has its advantages like me being able to see this video now lol but really i wish they would bring this engine back

[@FS2K4Pilot]

Bring back this engine, the 2156, and the 2050 (a Y3 preserved in Illinois, IIRC), and stick them on a 100 car coal drag with a couple executive cars and the N&W and NS heritage units (dynamic brakes are useful), then run the lot of them east from Roanoke to Lynchburg VA.

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

N&W #1218: "A freight train, a freight train! Oh, the fame of it, the fame of it!"

[@ArnoldwMace]

O'll girl doing what she was designed to do thanks for posting may we hear that hooter whistle again some day

[@TheOldMainGuy]

Impressive how 1218 was the only locomotive on this 100+ car coal train, whereas today, you'd need at least 2, maybe 3 diesel locomotives to haul that many coal cars

[@markantony3875]

Nope. Modern AC drive locomotives are way more powerful than the 1218. Besides, all the cars were empty on this train. Not much weight. Here is one diesel pulling 107 cars at ta faster speed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6qnmYWMr7qWp6c

[@JimStarluck]

@essartee76 Actually, most of the heavy freight locomotives built towards the end of the steam era--like 1218--can still deliver more horsepower than a diesel. The reason diesels replaced steam had less to do with raw power and more to do with the high operational cost of steam locomotives--all those moving parts required regular heavy maintenance. The other main edge of diesels is that they're modular: you can hook 2-3 together and drive the whole set from the lead engine with just one crew.

[@Corvidae51]

Goodness I am in love with that haunting whistle.. don't get me wrong UP 3985 and 844 sound great. But the whistle on this thing is one that shrills through the country side and declares that this locomotive is out to rule the tracks come day or night.

[@dwkcamman611]

Love it!!! I wish I could have chased 1218, she is a beauty!

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

Why does this have 3 dislikes? how do you dislike this? They must like CSX, the most anti steam railroad in the world.

[@dans49]

Always have to be those few...

[@animal16365]

NorfolkSoutherns#1Fan actually. Canadian pacific is more anti steam then CSX

[@b3j8]

Kids do that alot. Just go from video to video and hit dislike for the hell of it. My nieces' kids were caught doing it. Think it's funny as usual.

[@roofdriller1537]

because they are most likely brain-dead liberals who vote democratic and protest the steam engines on climate change while flying around the world on private jets ..would be my guess

[@hakeemsd70m]

@@roofdriller1537 Sounds pretty accurate, except most liberals and conservatives equally hate trains because they are all a bunch of elitist-minded idiots who purposely move next to active railroad lines and colmplain about the noise. I despise fools such as they. They follow their stupid masters instead of thinking for themselves.

[@PaulBrink-pq5iv]

If I'm not mistaken, this engine was actually more powerful than 'Big Boy' making it the most powerful steam locomotive of all.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@essartee76 I want to see a single AC6000 or ES44AH move a 5 1/2 mile long train between Cheyenne and North Platte like a Big Boy could. That is the most powerful engine in real-world application, and I'm not aware of anyone running a longer train that that under any circumstances, let alone behind a single engine. That train was a mile longer than even that monster BHPBilliton iron ore drag, which, incidentally, used ALL EIGHT of that company's AC6000CWs for power.

[@UnIonPacCheyenne]

FS2K4Pilot The Big Boy NEVER pulled a 5 1/2 mile train. That is a railfan myth. They typically pulled 6000 tons drag freight, and 5000 tons fast freight between Cheyenne and North Platte. Through the Wasatch they were capable of 4000 tons, but were often double headed to keep the speed up. The Big Boys were powerful, but they are no match for the pulling power of even a single AC6000CW.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

UnIonPacCheyenne AC6000CWs are worthless. They're all either getting sold or re-equipped with GEVO prime movers. And regardless of their paper specs, no one ever runs single unit diesels over tracks like those with anything like that kind of tonnage attached. Oh, and only 5000 tons eastbound from Cheyenne to North Platte? I would think a Big Boy could handle a lot more than that on that run because except for Archer Hill, that run is ALL down hill. Seeing as the 3985 was able to handle almost 7700 tons on that run back in 1990, hitting speeds of 45-60 mph or better, I would expect the 4014 to be good for at least 10,000 tons from Cheyenne to North Platte. And double-headers with Big Boys were usually for the purpose of moving motive power back to where it was needed. The ruling grade eastbound over the Wasatch was only 1.14% while the ruling grade westbound was I think about 1.72%.

[@UnIonPacCheyenne]

FS2K4Pilot Yes, they have new GEVO engines. A 16 cylinder version of the GEVO that produces 6,250 HP. Again, the Big Boy never pulled a 5 1/2 miles train. It would be impossible. The tonnage pulled is determined by the speed you want to pull it at. The tonnage I quoted for the Big Boys was what they could pull, economically, at the desired speed. Of course they could pull higher tonnage (up to the limit of their max TE) very slowly, but the UP did not intend them to be used as drag freight locomotives.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

UnIonPacCheyenne But they were just as good at hauling drags as they were at hauling hotshots.

[@jameswatson1939]

I would love to see the big boy in action but I would enjoy more to see the 2-8-8-4 yellowstones and the 2-6-6-6- alleghenies run because they were the true muscle machines of the steam era, both was heavy tonnage haulers. I would love to have the yellowstones on my train anytime because they handled the iron ore trains like a piece of paper. It would make my job easier in the cab.

[@boblackey1]

The class "A" steam locomotives built in Roanoke, Va by Norfolk & Western Railroad were in service from 1942 to 1959/60 & replaced by diesels. This locomotive & her many sisters pulled 180 to 190 coal trains fully loaded at about 30 to 35 mph. They would pull a fast freight or passenger train up to 70 mph. What you see here is the railroad doing a throw back to the old days w/ empties rather than a real train for rail fans. By the time this was done, diesels had LONG been the power on this line.

[@Traveller2016]

YEAH!!!! That's why we saved and restored them. Well done!