Rare Norfolk & Western 1218 footage

This is a clip of 1218 on a ferry move to Huntsville AL. The first 35 miles is on the CSX until she gets to Stevenson and jumps onto her own tracks. The first scene is very exciting as she is pounding up the grade at good speed and intermittent slippage can heard and then seen well as she comes by the camera.

[@rgsnidow1]

I got to see these A's back in the fifties every time we went to my Grand parent farm in Pembroke Va..they used to scare me to death when I was real small..and I've watched I guess every video out there and I have seen one that the engineer blows the whistle exactly like they blew them going into the Castle Rock tunnel...Makes me sad that those Locomotives along with my Grand Parents are no longer there..

[@class43matty]

As a british person loves his railways I do love american steam to see these wonderful engines like this in the 80s/90s Also The N&W J 611 too..Great loco!

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

+class43matty I love my American steam as well but I have grown quite fond of British locomotives. My knowledge regarding them is limited but I love how British locomotives bring so much class to what would be considered by some here in the States as a dirty and maybe vulgar affair. Steam locomotives are amazing to watch from any country but British locomotives are works of art and amazing to look at even when they are not in motion. Thanks for Watching

[@class43matty]

+TN STEAM MEMORIES So so true...I love watching Big boys and challengers etc but American steam can be a piece of art!

[@ThePacerX]

+class43matty I think they are both amazing machines, and I love the extra effort the Brits put in appearance. Something really classy about Brit steam trains.

[@rusttrail3]

+class43matty the J611 is back up and running if you didn't know there are some videos of her back in may of last year I think .....I was glad to see her back online.

[@ulyssesgrant4324]

class43matty America had bigger stronger steam locomotives

[@raymondparsley7442]

A fighter jet flying low overhead put chills up the spine of most people, especially us veterans....Having grown-up beside the N&W railroad, in the Southern West Virginia community of Sprigg, Mingo county... these steam locomotives really do it for me, even more so than low flying fighter jets. Everything about these mighty machines, from the power to the steam whistle, is striking... and almost magic. A sight, and experience, to behold! Many thanks for this video.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

I LOVE her whistle! It's my favorite N&W whistle!

[@KLTrainz]

Great shots!

[@alexthesouthernpacificmt4879]

Did u use the whistle on this loco too ur model?

[@justahillbilly7777]

If this happened nowadays, I think CSX's heart would stop. Edit: Removed an XD and added the note.

[@parrott350]

LOL isn't that the truth ! Luckily when 1218 ran on CSX in this video, it was before 'precision schedule railroad' that CSX succumbed to, and the track was in much better shape in the 90's. You could run 1218 on it without much fear. 1218 was an awesome locomotive, it went to Irondale AL for rebuild, and while there at the Southern shops, word was sent the steam program is cancelled right now! Boom! It was 1994, & with Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 No. 1218 spread out over the shop, they were not even allowed to put it back together. Thanks David Goode, for reminding us that Norfolk southerns purpose was not to run steam excursions, but provide value for stockholders. Hoo Raa! Ole 'Dave', may I call you 'Dave'? You sure earned a special place in many peoples hearts for that (fill in the blank) move closing down the steam program. So a planned 1996 return to service never occurred for 1218. Instead a yard sale of all the steam shop equipment & spare parts occurred with the shops closed. Saved that buck & 1218 never has run since. Bravo Sierra, such a (beeping ) waste. Thanks for the Video,

[@Ndoggy1127]

@@parrott350 right! And don’t even get me started with the Norfolk southern ceo! When he took office in 2015 one of the first things he did was stop paying for insurance for N&W j class 611 which solidified that 611 would never have a mainline career again

[@kleetus92]

sad how far we've fallen in general as a nation run by abject morons...

[@Tinsby]

Great stuff thanks for posting, love the fact there are few people in the shots. It's a wonderful machine I hope she runs again someday, at least she's not out rusting away in a scrapper's yard somewhere!

[@railroadman32257]

Great shots. I especially like the one at Running Water Viaduct. Real familiar with all of that. Back in my Southern Rwy. employment days, we tested this line several times a year, and the L&N (as it was then) would put a engineering dept. employee on board between Stevenson & Chattanooga and when he got off, we would give him the report & tape on their line. I'm originally from Nashville, 90 miles or so north of Stevenson.

[@pilgrimpassingthru]

Man....that's just beautiful And everything from the design to the last nut and bolt was made in the USA... How things have slipped away...

[@ericvorst1849]

...and she was constructed in 2 weeks in The Roanoke Shops. Amazing

[@virafmulla]

Lovely video and great whistling.

[@1964falconman]

Great video! I just bought Lionel's version of #1218.

[@smeagolplaysgames4517]

Definitely one of the best, if not THE best, whistle in railroading.

[@gregrowe1168]

SmeagolPlaysMC Yes, love that high-pitched whistle

[@michaelclark9762]

I don't care for it. It about the only thing I don't like regarding 1218. To each his own.

[@TrainsNStuff]

I have to disagree, I think SP&S 700's 2010 whistle is the best. Here's a good video of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXq0k2mqaaZjY6c

[@nigelmitchell351]

SmeagolPlaysGames, Does sound cool and mournful, pity the driver has to live on it as I want to hear the exhaust. One of the best, yes but for me an LNER, A4 chime whistle sets the hairs on my neck stand-up! Cheers from UK.

[@drby0788]

How bout C&O 614?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGHbaKunbN9raa8

[@davidshelow8869]

Very nice footage, thanks for sharing.

[@NinjagoGuy416]

OMG, I LOVE the sound of that whistle! Why can't she still be running today?! WH?!?!?!

[@RedReaper303]

1218 has some major parts that's not in place and to fully restore the 1218, you'd have to fork over a lot of money.

[@electrik_loss]

@@RedReaper303 doesn't she also have a cracked boiler?

[@RedReaper303]

@@electrik_loss I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me that it has a cracked boiler. They don't do much or no maintenance on the 1218 like they do with the 611.

[@electrik_loss]

@@RedReaper303 which is a big shame. Don't get me wrong, I love the 611, but 1218 has something special about her that I can't quite understand

[@RedReaper303]

@@electrik_loss I love the 1218 more than any other steam locomotive.

[@dorothydouglas3874]

I feel teary when I hear those old sounds! Memories......

[@borsanablues8243]

Thank you, really awesome, like so much...!!🙏❤👏👏

[@williamschlenger1518]

Beautiful.Reminds me of time gone by.

[@johnf.capuziello9800]

Excellent photography !

[@rosepeters5017]

That is the most beautiful old locomotive I evah seen, great footage of a working beast 😍😍

[@roofdriller1537]

Seen this beauty in Iager WV in 87, a masterpiece.

[@BlueSky...]

That 1218 has one *AWESOME* steam whistle ! ! !

[@christopherdibble5872]

Trackside; the engineer's don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954, still get a tear in my eye when I hear an old train in the night

[@ostlandr]

That's how it should have been done. More weight on more drivers, keep the drivers as small as possible, and use alloy rods, roller bearings, good balancing, etc. to get your top speed from driver RPM and not driver diameter. Alco's "Super Power" locomotives were a costly mistake for a lot of railroads who bought them for lines where their "power at speed" was pretty much useless. The reason N&W stuck with steam so long was that they realized that, while brand-new diesels were cheaper to operate than worn out pre-WWII locomotives, the most modern steam locomotives were cheaper to operate than aging diesels. It was labor costs that doomed the steam locomotive, as well as the fact that GM and GE were both building diesels.

[@oriontheraptor8119]

I’m glad people take the time table capture these machines

[@thomast8539]

At 3:32 the 1218 seems more like a living beast than a rolling machine, she even loses her voice at 3:54. Amazing stuff.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Norfolk & Western 1218 was impressive to observe in operation for excursion service and it was unique as it is an articulated steam engine, it's a true shame that the 1218 had a very brief excursion service career (1987-1991).

[@OutdoorsSC]

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

[@darthbluecat0478]

my left ear loved this video

[@imchris5000]

hearing a steam whistle as a train comes through a far off valley is such a haunting sounds air horns just are not the same

[@jacksalvin364]

Norfolk and Western A class 1218 was pulling the first excursion for the Norfolk Southern in 1987 and she continued on the excursions duties all the way until 1991.

[@dariusthedmirconsolidation3494]

0:52, I can tell that front truck wheel slip meant that it’s struggling to pull that heavy passenger loaded excursion passenger train.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

1218 wasn’t actually struggling, it just had difficulty putting the power down. There wasn’t quite enough weight over the drivers. Usually the weight over the drivers is 4 times the tractive effort produced. That’s called factor of adhesion. 4.0 is the ideal minimum. 1218’s factor of adhesion is 3.89, which means putting the power to the rails is sometimes difficult. 611 has this exact same issue, which is why you’ll see it slip when not being handled properly.

[@NW-gi1cp]

True true

[@katerinakittycat3849]

Wouldn't it be nice to see #1218 back on the rails with #611?

[@trisb0999]

My left ear really enjoyed this

[@rwamchubb7977]

I think N&W had some beautiful engines❤❤❤

[@darknessfalls_hellfire2551]

Man i love hearing old steam.. run :D

[@MrMarkar1959]

the Sight & Sound of the Nickel-Plate 765 is Pretty Sweet too🌹

[@Dead_on_Arrival.]

The reason why i visit this train is because of Sometimes they come back movie

[@pacificwarrior7679]

Awesome video mate.

[@charlize841]

The 1218 was built in 1943 and ran until 1959. Norfolk and Western became Norfolk Southern and they ran it from 1987 to 1992, presumably this video was taken at that time. It is now on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke.

[@billmarquet5835]

I rode behind the 1218 when she pulled an overnight excursion train,the Norfolk & Southern's "Thoroughbred Limited", from Lexington,Kentucky to Chattanooga,Tenn..The trip was in September,1987 and it was a real thrill to ride behind that powerful locomotive with her 70 inch drivers and 6000 horsepower echoing through the hills and valleys of Kentucky & Tennessee taking us back in time..

[@nigelmitchell351]

Here the chime whistle of a Gresley A4 pacific passing the microphone at speed ! Opposite end of the scale.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great video.What a beast.

[@garlinmiller5808]

great catch awesome.

[@ears61]

the most glorious of machines for quite a while

[@lindy27ful]

I think we might be going back to steam . I think , Unless we wise up soon we are and it might be a good thing.

[@EZ-cz5en]

Although I would like steam engines to be back, it won't be possible because big steam engines like 1218, 611, 4014, and 844 emits large amounts of smoke. If you heard about the Amazon wildfire, smoke may be the cause. Also with the global warming.

[@kittymuffins6484]

Steam requires too much maintenance.

[@stephensmith799]

USA Steam rocks!

[@baileyjanssen8911]

My grandpa used to work for Sikorsky helicopters in Huntsville Al but this video was before he got there they used to live in Huntsville

[@worldwiderailfanproduction2841]

What an awesome video!!! Subbed ;)

[@wolfzillaproductions4563]

I’d really like to see 1218 return to active service to double head with the 611. They restored a Big Boy, which is the largest steam locomotive in the world, so it’s not entirely impossible to restore 1218. But if not operationally restored, at least cosmetically restore the damn thing! You’re letting it sit there to rust away!!

[@ears61]

loving it

[@williamschlenger1518]

I see cars crossing in front of train?whistle not loud enough?😟

[@williamschlenger1518]

People not smart enough.

[@MamaEtna]

Too bad we'll never see her on the rails again. She looked and sounded awesome.

[@mallet2882]

Hi there , what / where is the bridge at 2:00 located ?

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

+mallet2882 Sorry took so long to reply you comment slipped past me as I am still learning how this stuff works. To answer you question it is in Whiteside TN. I have heard it called Racoon Gorge Bridge but I have also heard it called Running Water Creek Bridge. here is a link for more info bridgehunter.com/tn/marion/running-water/ This site says it was built in 1968 but I but I am sure I have seen photos of this exact structure at an earlier date. I think the confusion has come from the fact that when it was built it was all steel supports and in 68 is when I-24 was built under it and the center span supports were retrofitted with concrete. Might be too much info but hope it is helpful.

[@nickdelguidice9333]

The 1218 was in a dream I had last night. I’m not kidding

[@RyanRailfan]

Do you mind if I use your video on my 1218 video because I'd like to use old film of it.

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

Ryan Railfan Productions Yea sure. I would appreciate any kind of plug you could give TN STEAM MEMORIES. Or would you rather I look and see if I have something unpublished yet. I mostly use just the high lights of my old tapes for these vids but I may have about three vhs tapes of of unedited footage. If they have not deteriorated yet which is very possible. if that is the case, it may take a week or so to get to it.

[@memoriesforever4776]

+TN STEAM MEMORIES I'm doing a book report for school may please use the video for my presentation

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

Sure, go ahead.

[@chuckwlodarczyk9961]

Excellent footage chased her a few times but nothing like this

[@b3j8]

I'll bet to those folks down in N&W coal country that were still around from the steam era, hearing the 1218's hooter was like hearing the voice of a dear old friend.

[@kleetus92]

What year was this?

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

1991

[@kleetus92]

@@TNSTEAMMEMORIES Thank you

[@lembriggs1075]

Do you have any video that it’s just all whistle? This video doesn’t have as much whistle as you’d expect to hear from a whistle. Just saying.

[@joehookey7434]

Nope sorry. I usually get comments complaining about that whistle.

[@timothymarshall6709]

why after the 1980s did they retire her?

[@b3j8]

Change of Management.

[@326dad]

FANTASTIC locomotive ! Whimpy whistle !

[@laurieharper1526]

Kurt Scribner Sounds like a whale bellowing. I rather like it. The loco looks fantastic. Everything about her says POWER.

[@ZachPumphery]

Kurt Scribner Whistle was like that because it was easier for rear end helper crew to hear in order to communicate, or vice-versa for when a 1200 was a helper.

[@NinjagoGuy416]

Kurt Scribner WIMPY WHISTLE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! How dare you, sir! 1218's whistle is the BEST SOUNDING WHISTLE on any steam locomotive ever built!

[@NinjagoGuy416]

Laurie Harper Well spoken, my friend. Well spoken, indeed.

[@326dad]

I much prefer 611's whistle ! Much more testosterone !

[@clinthowe7629]

don’t get me wrong, i like the sound of that whistle, but that fella sure rides it, he may as well just hold the cord down everywhere he goes.

[@MsFloraDelirus]

Wow, the echos in the hills is chilling. When was this video taken?

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

Too bad the CSX of today would never allow such a thing. It boggles the mind how they previously allowed steam from other railroads to run on their tracks, and then they suddenly reveresed it and said no.

[@lindy27ful]

I didn't know CSX did that.... That's to bad....

[@lindy27ful]

lindy27ful and thanks for the info JCBro2014

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

lindy27ful Yeah, in 1992 they borrowed Union Pacific Challenger 3985 and disguised it as a Clinchfield locomotive. I want to know what it was that made them turn against a policy that attracted a lot of railfans.

[@dylanruppert4547]

JCBro2014 It maybe maintenance costs

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

Dylan Ruppert I'm sure most of the locomotives that would run on the tracks would pay for themselves with tickets. And many railfans would gladly pay money to have the tracks fixed for exercusions.

[@garlinmiller5808]

just watched video it was great.again.

[@nickdeluna8681]

It's really ashamed that there could be a chance that N&W 1218 wouldn't steam again. I would love to see it and make some run buys even with it's famous whistle.

[@GLA741]

Amazing video of a rare 2-6-6-4! but what happen to it, did they discontinue it's excursion runs? to expensive to maintain I assume?

[@DASCO2136]

+Isaiah Vangster 1218 only ran in excursion service until 1992. It originally went into the steam shops in Birmingham, Alabama for an overhaul that was going to last a couple of years. While it was in the shop, Norfolk Southern announced they were cancelling their steam excursion program at the end of 1994. The 1218 in turn, remained in Alabama for several years still in the midst of her overhaul after the program ended until she was put back together and returned to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia. She's still there today on display, now next to a 2-8-8-2 and a 4-8-4 which they run on excursions nowadays during the spring/summer.

[@GLA741]

+DASCO2136 Thanks you! For the info! Really wish I was either born when it was still running, or still running today. would love to see huge articulated steam locos steaming by, but I've still yet to see the Big Boy on its run to Cheyenne. so yeah

[@rudycarlson8245]

@Capt. Sum Ting Wong it would be the ultimate doubleheader to see Norfolk and western 1218 and union pacific 4014 double head together! Now that would be awesome!

[@genann_1441]

My left ear enjoyed this video.

[@mikeggg5671]

So awesome!!!!!!

[@cmag19]

One thing about this being "rare" It isn't you can get the 6 original extreme steam DVDs and one of them is indeed a 1218 trip.

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

I used "rare" in the title because of the situation. It is explained in the text at the beginning. I am not under the false notion that I have one of the only videos of a locomotive that racked up thousands upon thousands of miles of excursion service.The only thing that might be longer than the distance 1218 operated as excursion locomotive is the miles of VHS video tape of her doing so.

[@robadams8057]

Why is the smokestack producing white smoke sometimes and black smoke other times?

[@joeismejoeisme1]

The white smoke has steam. Compressed steam is exhausted through the smoke stack to suck air into the fire box. This makes the fire hotter and burn faster, so it isn't done unless they need more heat. At other times, the steam is exhausted near the wheels, as you can see in one clip.

[@robadams8057]

@@joeismejoeisme1 thank you.

[@joeismejoeisme1]

At 10:30, the exhaust steam is being released near the wheels. You don't hear the "cho cho" sound that is made from the steam being released in the smoke stacks. The pulsing rushes of smoke that correspond to the cho cho sound are also caused by the stream. Here are 2 good videos on how a steam engine works. The productions aren't the best, but... Too bad we didn't have KZbin when I was growing up. I would have loved to have seen these. I was fascinated with steam engines. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqq1h4Ckha-gmrM kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4qxg5uCZcmXerM

[@robadams8057]

@@joeismejoeisme1 thank you for the links.

[@robadams8057]

I noticed that the headlight is below the center of the boiler. Is that unusual?

[@sharkheadism]

On articulated locomotives not really

[@robadams8057]

@@sharkheadism thank you.

[@penguin272]

why is he pulling the whistle all the time??? no chance to hear the engine's sound

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

It appears that most of the video was put together with video from areas around crossings. Those are often the easiest shots to get of locomotives. It is required by the FRA that a signal of long-long-short-long be given at a crossing. That's my best guess anyway.

[@shadowraith1]

Magnificent machines!👍🚂🚂🚂👍

[@orvisfisher2010]

3:54 HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

[@trenchantsometimes5149]

Somebody really likes tooting his horn......I love it!!!

[@sirbarongaming2138]

I hope someone has the money to either restore the Y6b we have left or to rebuild another one from scratch

[@GMC6523]

is the train still running or is it retired?

[@HotboxHolton]

It's retired and can be found at the Virginian Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia.

[@GMC6523]

I am still hoping that it will be running again soon

[@samuellongo7299]

Aldrick GMC same

[@EdWittenable]

This is a really good video. I'm guessing it's a Big Boy. It's too bad that the sound is only in the left channel. It's still a really good video, though. :D Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@trainfan844]

This actually isn't a big boy. This engine is on a completely different railroad, and is a completely different engine. A big boy is a Union Pacific engine. This is a Norfolk & Western engine.

[@SR2448_]

+Narwhal Gaming it kinda does look like a big boy

[@LegendaryCollektor]

+EdWittenable it's articulated like a 4000, but this is def. NOT a Union Pacific 4000 series

[@manga12]

+/|CG|\_The_Collektor its not a bigboy but they say 1218 here in the video had more power then the challenger, by the way you will see a bigboy soon enough 4014 is being rebuilt in chyanne wy, it is a big boy, and northern j 611 returned to service earlier this year it is a good time for steam once more for the ns is leasing the locos for the 21 century steam program, now if only csx would get their thumb out of their rump and allow some steam on their lines once more. a bigboy by the way is a 4 8 8 4 this is a 2 6 6 4 config.

[@GLA741]

I believe it's a N&W Class A 2-6-6-4, I may be wrong on the class name, but yes supposedly it had more horsepower than a big boy, and the big boy wheel arrangement is 4-8-8-4. and as what narwhale gaming said it's of the Union Pacific RR

[@robdove4105]

It would be nice if the guys in the cab took it a little easy on the whistle, seems like they are getting more steam through that than the cylinders.

[@chamberizer]

I think that is the Train Trump needs to put our Country back on Track! I have heard of Big Boy, this must be Bad Boy.

[@chuckwlodarczyk9961]

It and #611 should still be on the rails can’t have enough steam operating very nice

[@_mynewcareer]

The whistle of my dreams

[@PLE2497]

What year?

[@kototheantichrist5979]

year??

[@fourstringbanger72]

No there not restoring the 1218

[@samuellongo7299]

Train Boy8114 Unfortunately. 🙁

[@robmettler2548]

Nothing like the sound of a steam locomotive.

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

What year was this shot?? Just curious

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

1991 with a Panasonic VHS camcorder

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

+TN STEAM MEMORIES nice

[@zacharycalgher3978]

@@nicholasmedovich8691Just 2 years after Huntsville Alabama was hit by an F4 tornado on November 15th 1989.

[@ECML119]

We couldn't see the entire train at least once?

[@TNSTEAMMEMORIES]

Well you are about 2 months too late with that Question. My father shot the video and I edited the portions that were in the best shape. If he had not passed away two months ago I would have asked him. Nowhere do I claim this is a professional quality video instead it is just video a man made for his train loving son (me). He had no idea his son one day would post his hobby on the internet. This was done at a time when KZbin had was never heard of. Trust me though if I can get my time machine working I will go back and tell him to film the entire train so that complainers like you will not not need to exercise their finger to click a mouse and select another video. Grow up and get a life. There are more important things in this world than whether or not you see an entire train in a video.

[@samuellongo7299]

TENNESSEE STEAM MEMORIES I'm sorry about your father. 😢

[@railbus5]

The 1218 has what is called a "Hooter" whistle. It was designed to be that way by the N&W. They built these engine themselves at Roanoke.Several railroads used different versions of these. The 611's whistle is a steamboat whistle. I believe that they should have restored the 1218 first. These "A" class engines were designed to pull both freight and passengers. The 611 is just a fancy engine with all that streamlining. The 1218 would have been a better choice. In the 90's they were half way through an overhaul and were told to stop and put it back together so it could be put in a museum. What a waste!

[@ad356]

+railbus5 611 is also a powerful locomotive but i agree they should not have aborted restoration

[@leisureshoot]

+railbus5 My understanding is that 611 was put away in perfect condition. In the days after they brought her into VMT after closing out the steam program in '94, the guys at VMT cleaned out all of her fittings with alcohol to get out all water and stop any possible corrosion. However, the 1218 was put away a couple years earlier, because it was in need of extensive boiler work, and N&W pulled the plug half way through. This made 611 the better candidate to restore, because there was less to do to make her operational again. I heard this from a couple guys at VMT during 611's homecoming weekend, so I can't say how accurate it is, but it does make sense.

[@Mas4449]

The video is one second to short...

[@robertgift]

Added sound? Why no whistle for the grade crossing at 0:55 ? Then grade crossing whistle sequence for no grade crossing. What an unfortunate, boring whistle. Sounds more like a tug boat.

[@conorhowells7306]

Love Yank locos, hate their continuous bloody whistling though.

[@dumdum7786]

jesus, the video quality is pretty good, but the audio... I want to die

[@SouthernRaiIs1186]

With a camera from the 80s, plus a steam locomotive’s whistle (which is no way quite) its not gonna sound the greatest.

[@euclideszoto997]

About as close to an Allegheny as well ever see.

[@HendrickFan5]

Great video, but now I'm deaf in my left ear.

[@michaellindsay6735]

I got this engine in o gage lionel it a bad ass engine

[@terry_willis]

Dude sure likes to honk his horn.

[@raptorproductions1639]

0:46 bro chill with the throttle

[@raritanriverrailroadfan4418]

CSX is anti-steam so screw them. At least we can count on NS to deliver what us railfans want!

[@milepostproductions5610]

Same thing with Union Pacific. With Big Boy 4014 expected to take another 2-4 years to restore we can expect to see a lot of the 611 and maybe just maybe if we keep our fingers crossed we might someday see 1218 run again.

[@Romans--bo7br]

RaritanRiverRailroadFan4 You might want to keep one thing in mind (and I am NOT "defending" CSX, or any other Non-participating railroad, as far as steam goes)..... and that is the "Fact".... that railroads are NOT, in business to restore and operate steam locomotives to satisfy the whims of steam (or diesel) "RailFans"..... they ARE, in business... to move freight and (possibly) passengers..... so, for the "roads" that DO have a steam / heritage program in operation... just be thankful that they are financially stable enough to make it happen, and have the people at upper level management that care enough about that particular roads, "roots" to allow it to happen........ because, they are certainly under NO "obligation" whatsoever..... to ANY "railfan" (including myself), to do so.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Blake Trafford - Mile Post Productions .... we will All enjoy whatever steam is nearest at hand.... or even just to watch, being thankful to all those who take the time to film and post on "YT" here..... while we can. The probability of ANY of us seeing the 4014 (or, even the 844 & 3985) ever run again.... is "slim to None"..... and I am Not going into the reasons "why"....... because it WILL become Very "self evident"... in the not too distant future. Savor life in general... and your (all of us, here.. as well) "thirst for steam".... as much as your able..... time, IS... Short.

[@animal16365]

RaritanRiverRailroadFan4 CSX isn't anti steam. they have allowed steam on there rails. union pacific won't allow any other steam locomotive on there tracks other than there own, and Canadian pacific hates steam all together.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Guess I need to "eat crow" on last years "prediction" that the UP 844 would never run again... My "bad". However, considering the time frame for the completion date of the 4014 (before May, 2019)... I think Many things, will be a "moot" point by then... and we will all care less, What is running on the rails... or, not. I "see" survival, not rail fanning.. by that time... being the utmost priority, for the vast majority by 2019... Sadly.

[@soarinskies1105]

UP brought Big boy back Now it’s time for NS to step up to the plate and bring back 1218

[@DeCasoU1]

A better design than the Big Boy, the UP machine weighed 189,000 pounds more than the A yet produced only 890 hp more. 2156 would also prove very interesting.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

@@DeCasoU1 Let’s not forget that an articulated is two locomotives in one. For the most part, there is two of everything. The larger your locomotive is, the more that can add up in weight. The Big Boys had more power left in them, as shown by 4014. Simply boring the cylinders 1/4 in brings hp to 7000, which was done during the restoration. It does drop factor of adhesion below 4, but the fact remains that the Big Boys still had power to find. The A class already has a factor of adhesion below 4, which pretty much negates any attempts to find more power without serious wheelslip issues. The Big Boy is a way better design. Faster, almost 30,000 lbs more tractive effort, and 1600 more hp (4014). The As are quite a bit better than UP’s Challengers though.