Santa Fe 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive

This is an unedited video shot in 1080p of the AT&SF Steam Locomotive 3751 doing a high speed pass. It was taken on May 2, 2010, at the Carlsbad, CA, Poinsettia Station.
My six year old son is with me and you can hear me in the video telling him to keep low as the train is about to steam through the station at 60mph. My wife and daughter are on board in the full dome car (4th car from the end). We rode the train that day from Downtown San Diego to Oceanside, California.
A Canon 7D with a Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens was used to take the video.
Make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel if you like seeing trains, planes, and automobiles.
Thanks!

[@narcanninja]

I think what makes steam locomotives so special is that they sound alive. The faster they go, the harder they pull or work, you can hear them actually sound like they are breathing, almost like a human being would.

[@andynieuwenhuis7833]

It's interesting when there's a great engineer in the cabin, when there's very little smoke going out the smoke stack. You can tell the engineer got that engine running at PEAK power without burning to much oil.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

What’s crazy is this was likely only 60-65 mph, and yet still impressive. I talked to the crew once when 3751 went to San Bernardino, and they said they like to keep the locomotive around 60 mph to minimize wear and tear.

[@admiralcraddock464]

Just imagine what it must have been like to witness the UK s Mallard setting the record for a steam loco at 126 mph. Ive read that after setting that record the loco running gear was worn out

[@BakaryRoleplayGaming]

@@admiralcraddock464 Put this video at 2x speed because a person named @Blackbird Gaming (top comment) said it went 60 to 65 mph. If you put it at 2x speed, it will go 120 to 130 mph because 2 x 60 = 120 2 x 65 = 130

[@bluehealer81]

"Only" Consider the amount of force present in an object that large traveling at that speed.

[@BringMayFlowers]

@@bluehealer81 When typical train speeds in the 1920s and 30s was 80 to 110 mph, 60 really isn't as impressive.

[@_IMNNO]

@@admiralcraddock464I’m sure with modern tribology and DLC coatings the Mallard’s running gear would last almost forever at sustained top speed.

[@nx2000]

I could watch this over and over again and it would never get old.

[@lakespeed9299]

I've watched this....probably over 20 times.

[@kansasstatealerting2874]

Kevin Mustard same

[@Grandremone]

Keep coming back to this vid haha

[@rogerhector5885]

I do

[@randomrailfanner2911]

I could spend hours on this

[@sethjessbry32]

as a BNSF employee, which is former ATSF, this brings me to tears on how great the steam age was, now they the company wants to get rid of us all together makes me sad, thank you for capturing a piece of history.

[@TheSanDiegoGuy]

That was a very memorable day!!!

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Same, 3751 is a star on the west coast and it's actually the oldest 4-8-4 Northern from what I've heard around, 4-8-4s were popular alongside 4-6-2 Pacifics in the mid 20th century until steam's end

[@N-Scale]

Lots of big moving parts going real fast! What more could a grown kid ask for. Mike

[@ElectricityTaster]

+Mike Fifer tits

[@Graulas]

@@ElectricityTaster true

[@kubanskiloewe]

husband and his fat wify in bed 🤣😂🙃

[@jackd.flippin6656]

There's something really beautiful and a bit moving to see an old locomotive drive so fast.

[@TestECull]

I kinda wish the railroad authorities would give UP the greenlight to uncork 844 across the plains and let it roar for all it's worth. Nobody has ever maxed that thing out, reports from its heyday claim it's done 110MPH before.

[@bossmansal67]

TestECull 844 has actually done 120mph in it's heyday and even UP confirmed that 120mph isn't it's maximum speed and is capable of speeds greater than 130mph.

[@ronbloomberg]

The 3751 is a beast! It exudes power. That incredibly huge, tall stature is a sight to behold. It has always been among my favorite locomotives.

[@nzkora]

Not even into trains and yet I had to watch this video at least 5 times over.

[@adamburnes3655]

That’s the magic of steam locomotives for ya!

[@goalhorn2012]

@@adamburnes3655 DAMN RIGHT!

[@johnjamieson1089]

I love this! The name Santa Fe sounds fantastic anyway, but to me it encapsulates all the romance of steam! You Americans do it in it in real style! This is a proper train with stainless steel cars, some with observation tops, and best of all that flashing red rear warning light! All in beautiful sunshine. I loved the cheers from the enthusiasts too!

[@austinbrodzinski4444]

I find it fascinating to see that much weight going that fast - I might be the only one who thinks that but to be honest that is crazy. I mean, when they first invented steam engines, who could've guessed they would come along so much and be able to go so fast! Good video!

[@09JDCTrainMan]

How's that for a 1927 steam locomotive? :D

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

09trainman Well it was being supported by an Amtrak diesel locomotive behind.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

TheBrickGuy7939 No it's not, the diesel is for dynamic braking and power for the passenger cars.

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

09trainman OK, but the Amtrak locomotive is still on, how is it rolling?

[@09JDCTrainMan]

TheBrickGuy7939 From what I'm aware of, the diesel is rolling without the throttle open, I could be wrong. It's the steamer that really doin' the pulling. She can easily reach high speeds with trains like this on her own.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

TheBrickGuy7939 I remember now, the diesel is being pulled.

[@LuckyBoy-bq9zj]

I never thought a locomotive could be that fast. It's amazing in its day even now

[@iankingsleys2818]

Mallard went at 126 mph in 1938

[@rogerwilliams2902]

@@iankingsleys2818 From what I heard, that was secretly talen up by A4 crews , unofficially to 130 mph . Whether thats true , no idea. but it wouldnt surprise me if it were true.

[@teslabro5294]

This one's top speed isn't actually known. It hasn't been taken up to full throttle. Though it's documented somewhere to have hit 120 mph

[@jamesleopard8518]

Yeah! Think about the Thomas and Friends characters like Gordon The Big Engine, Spencer The Silver Engine and Flying Scottsman The Green Scottish 100 mile per hour Engine

[@michaelrief4424]

This is my All Time favorite Steam run by. It doesn’t get any better than this. I remember seeing this kind of train action when I was a kid back in the 50”s and this was fantastic for me. An excellent example of the Doppler effect with the Steam Whistle here. Nothing beats the sound of a steam Whistle. Wish I was there.

[@TastyTarco]

whoever is in the control room of that train must be happy, living the childhood dream

[@adamndirtyape]

Your camera pan as the engine goes by is perfect. I don't think I've ever seen a video that captures the power of a steam locomotive like this one.

[@mikeshearer1250]

This is honestly one of the best train videos I have ever seen.

[@Shane-Singleton]

There's just something awesome that I can't quite articulate to see an old horse like that really get to work.

[@yw5103]

Shane Singleton I think it’s because she’s showing she can work just as well as any other train. It’s being taken care of!

[@skipperskipper2936]

Yes awesome that the asshole ruined it by panning the camera

[@theidiotwithinternet]

It’s how they were meant to be run. It’s a pleasure seeing her at full potential

[@ItsValval123]

Oh look it’s that Amtrak P42DC #13 again😒

[@johnfranklin5277]

There are emotions and feelings that we experience in life, but cannot be explained. Both wonderful, and terrible. This is a wonderful one! An amazing powerful machine, and we humans created it!

[@davesmum9657]

Good god that was wonderful. She was flying & considering her age she’s a testament to the people who care for her. Thanks for sharing. I’ll have fabulous dreams tonight.

[@richardmuncy5290]

Love that screaming whistle!!!

[@tonytrotta9322]

Engine 3751 was initially designed as a coal burner and in 1936 it was converted to oil at the San Bernardino Shops of Santa Fe. The highest recorded speed of this locomotive was 103 miles per hour.

[@patrickwamsley3284]

If you look at the CVSR, their Steam in the Valley trains run on their own with the generator car. The diesel in the back is for heading the return trip. You'll see this on almost all of their trains.

[@Jo-un6es]

Coming back to this is such a treat. Makes me wish that Amtrak or other US rail companies allowed these special revenue trains utilizing steam power.

[@todddenio3200]

It's amazing how 1 steam locomotive can do the work of 2-3 diesel locomotives and reach such speeds, but yet they are viewed as old, slow, and weak by those who don't know the truth about them

[@kentslocum]

I've lived practically my entire life near a major Union Pacific railyard, but nothing about the big, dirty, stinky, sooty diesel-electric locomotives makes me glad to be alive. Steam locomotives, on the other hand, while still being big, dirty, stinky, and sooty, make me want to stand up and salute.

[@soyounoat]

I've seen many hundreds of railroad videos over many decades. This is the most memorable and my #1 favorite. In the opening second, the doppler pitched tone of that steam whistle sets a rare mood, and the highball pass lives up to the promise.

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Bloody marvellous !. Regards from the UK.

[@rickyarvizu7535]

The 3751 4-8-8-4 Santa Fe Locomotive pulled the Super Chief Express, which operated and highballed over 100 mph between Los Angeles and Chicago, and was proudly called "The City of San Bernardino", back in Da'Good Ol'Daze!

[@thythethy9590]

one to many 8s

[@francoisroberge5882]

Steam trains get me all emotional. Love them. Brings me back to my youth (born 1947). This one is a beauty.

[@pontushaggstrom6261]

You never see steam locos go as fast as this one did. Really does impress you seeing these old machines being used as they were intended to when built. Just imagine the rush of standing on a station platform with these things flying past you at 80+ mph. Whole ground gotta be shaking.

[@michaelrief4424]

This is what it was like back in the 1950’s when I was a little boy. I would be coming home from the movies on a Saturday afternoon and this would be happening at the RR crossing through my hometown. Well for a little boy you can’t possibly pass up on something this exciting, so oftentimes I would get home late for dinner but when I explained what happened it usually got excused since my Father liked fast moving trains just like I did..

[@1chevellelover]

That"s an excellent video. My wife and I were on that trip that day,rode the trolley to Old Town from San Diego station, had dinner,then came home on an evening Amtrak. Steam, electric, and diesel all on one day.

[@zephyregrant]

oh boy~ People really love watching this ~ when I was young, I used to be standing still at the stadium and just kept watching the trains going by for hours

[@djmasterty2309]

That’s so awesome! I wished I got to be there in person.

[@mikeshearer1250]

This is one of my all time favourite steam train videos. That speed is just impressive.

[@carryfreak5059]

That’s is absolutely gorgeous. I have a recording of her younger sibling (3759) and it is one of my favorite recordings. Made in 1955 on her last run on the ATSF line.

[@stinzz3]

Airplanes are my first love trains being second this brought a tear to my eye from the joy.

[@Turbo_G.T.Blackwing63]

Cars are my first

[@mabybee]

Listening to high speed steam locomotives go by is addicting for some reason. The diesel and electric engines used today are impressive in their own rights, but they just don’t compare to the era of trains from the first half of the 20th century, at least from a purely aesthetic perspective.

[@davecrupel2817]

Holy SHIT I've never seen a steamer going so fast!!! Well done, old girl!

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

You should search 'Bittern 90 mph' in KZbin. Something tells me you'll like what you find

[@vincentmusic09]

@@OntarioTrafficMan or "Tornado" 100mph run

[@Patrick94GSR]

@@vincentmusic09 yeah it's only going about 55 MPH in this clip.

[@skychildoflight9867]

Absolutely phenomenal! It would be so wonderful if we still had steam engines riding the rails in service

[@ATSF1927]

This one great Baldwin Steamer and know about this one, I was a Fireman and Engineer on her from 1947 to 1950. I remember when the conversion was made to run on Coal Oil. One great memory.

[@bigtex144]

"oh wow..... WOW!" I love your reactions. Those emotions are exactly what this is all about. :)

[@BlakesWrld]

man that big girl is moving lol

[@BlakesWrld]

+TranceBeatPony damn right lol

[@iskandrthewicked6088]

And that, boys and girls, is where the phrase 'hauling ass' came from.

[@synthwaveguy_2942]

One of her sisters is actually being restored in Albuquerque NM. ATSF #2926.

[@robertdwyer5486]

I estimate her doing about 70-75 mph. Thank you Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, PA. This class of Mountain types (last batch made in 1944) were the longest, heaviest straight passenger locomotives ever made.

[@jazzykingjack2846]

And she's singing her song with her whistle

[@bluehealer81]

There is something very regal about this entrance. The crossing bells and the approaching whistle are like the trumpeters that are announcing the king's arrival. Long live the king!

[@Beanick]

Beautiful vid, really engaging. But I know it must have been astounding in person! Thanks for sharing.

[@paulritchey9721]

Awesome. Brings tears to a few of us!

[@shockingguy]

Dayuuum 😻 i’ve seen quite a few videos of her but never one where she was pushing this fast that was just gorgeous

[@LTLucario96]

"EXPRESS COMING THROUGH!"

[@NationalGuard5]

Gordon: Hey! That's my line!

[@justinpatterson3110]

"Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!"

[@tronlegacy2664]

I love when a steam trains goes by fast like tgat

[@BernieHollandMusic]

Well done San Diego Guy - from me here in London England - what an amazing experience you have shared with us - thank you !

[@keatonburton5636]

I first saw that steam engine in There Goes a Train as a little kid, and I think it went as slow as it did for two reasons: 1. Because of the heavy train it was pulling. 2. So the audience could get a good look at it.

[@TheJCJexe]

This is the most amazing thing I've seen in a while and I've seen trains go by plenty of times, but this is just special.

[@thomashlange6344]

Awesome video..literally brings tears to my eyes in its power and majesty!

[@chrishaines6686]

I keep coming back to this video. It's one of the better examples of "modern" steam at speed, working hard in the 21st century.

[@marioguardia4535]

Just Perfect... Let the steam locomotives come back..!!🚂

[@DeHeld8]

Er... Steam locs are very awesome and all that... But they are horribly energy-inefficient and and polluting compared to Electric locs... I think we better savor the experience of the power of steam in a museum setting, and let Electricity do all the boring work of hauling cargo and people around.

[@Runboyrun05]

@@DeHeld8 cars, trucks and planes is the real pollution

[@cwright7653]

She is such a beautiful and powerful locomotive, her legacy will always live on...😃

[@TheSneakss]

So beautiful I got goosebumps watching this

[@marshallclowers1242]

After all this time, I still get a chill as it rolls past. :)

[@talalzakry]

Great even the greater , knowing that the GE loco is pulled in neutral for hep(head end power) as well as dynamic braking , as many says it's beautiful to see an oldie back in business safe and sound

[@davidowens5898]

Don't what it is about a trains appeal....but I sure do love 'em. Been this way since I was a kid. And I'm 67 now........still love 'em.

[@railman01]

Best way to see a magnificent steam loco like this in action. Brilliant.

[@lukehelpmetakethisdangmaskoff]

Brings a tear to me eye!

[@dustydean56]

This gives me chills every time I watch it !! Awesome video !!

[@amazjcproductions3108]

I realize that the diesel locomotive is more pollution free than the steam locomotive, but who fricken cares. A diesel looks like a big box with wheel trucks underneath and a loud horn. While the steamers practically looks like a machine. With the smoke, the moving rods turning the wheels, and the epic sounding whistle steam locomotives rule. Awesome video!!

[@brooklynparker182]

No steam locomotives ROCK!

[@jmtrainz2582]

Steam locos aren't that bad, factories and road transport suck.

[@karabiner002]

Depends what you use to fire the steam engine. Wood is way more cleaner than coal

[@SouthCalifas619]

Actually i think the whistle is louder than the average k5la, the sound seems to travel more

[@kiwianimationssolomonsharp6250]

Reminds me, there is a steam engine in the Grand Canyon that runs completely on vegetable oil supplied by a restaurant. It’s awesome

[@Mike-01234]

One of the best steam videos on KZbin

[@matchoo4050]

all I can say is holy ****!! awesome video!!! I'm born and raised San Diego and I had no idea locomotives like this came through!

[@ewhitson9055]

Hell Yeah!!! You can sense the power and energy of that beast screaming by!!! Awesome video!!!

[@coasterworld9448]

I can just imagine this with the face of Gordon on it from Thomas and Friends, yelling “EXPRESS COMING THROUGH!!!!!!”

[@anthonynigri8585]

That would be hilarious

[@robadams8057]

I like the applause at the end.

[@RedtailFox1]

watching that pass, you get an idea what it was like to watch one of the high speed expresses pass in the golden age of steam. great catch

[@Syclone0044]

Fantastic video work!! Perfect panning. Just awesome, it got my heart racing even watching it on my iPhone!

[@LordRusty5]

Nothing like the sight and power of a Steam Locomotive high-balling it down the track!!!

[@twenger1]

Love the "wow" after it passes. I can't help it either when I record steam lol

[@TheBosSauveli]

I am always close to tears wachting this video.

[@jokerinthebronx]

DAMN THEY CAN MOVE! I'd love to ride in that cab of that beautiful machine! 😍

[@johnnyz4185]

Truly spectacular, wish i saw one

[@josephazariah773]

Awesome video, Santa Fe looks so majestic......

[@fantauzzifamily]

Wow, Just Beautiful!

[@keithexum7312]

Truly awesome!!!! Bring back STEAM!!!!

[@frenzyXprime]

I love these, my great grandfather was a conductor on one and the one he was on is on display in the city of Gladstone, MI.

[@lunalie6938]

the whistle is so GOOD

[@DIYD]

This is by far the best video of a steamer on youtube; raw and on a fly by at a cool 50 mph. That train was long for a passenger. That Amtrak was not doing more than 30% of the pulling.

[@Deltaexe190]

The Amtrak is used to power the cars and nothing else

[@DIYD]

@@Deltaexe190 huuuuuah 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@richardstewart4135]

This never gets old. From an old engineer who lived across the street from me years ago, "A steam engine is a living, breathing machine, but a diesel is just a robot that took its place."

[@FirewoodEnjoyer69]

I think this is my new Favorite Steam Locomotive, Even that whistle while its blasting past them sounds better than most i'v heard.... Damn!

[@Nrl612]

The applause at the end says it all.

[@DeathValleyLumberCompany]

You dont even need to be a train guy to be into this, you've captured peak enjoyment of railfanning and thats very hard to pull off

[@mjc6184]

Stay off the tracks....when the train is rolling through. 👊🏻💨. Wow!

[@adamburnes3655]

One of this locomotive’s sisters, Santa Fe 3759, is on display in Kingman AZ.

[@ACSCadillac]

As Edward’s driver once said WELL DONE BOY YOU’VE GOT THEM! YOU’VE GOT THEM

[@wolferl]

Incredible beautiful!!!

[@JapaneseCityPopCat]

This is so epic! Steam locomotives are just the greatest thing. :)

[@ItsValval123]

Wow I’ve never saw Santa Fe #3751 fire through the station at 70mph.

[@Emma-yu4sk]

Old stuff is just so much cooler than anything modern day

[@308RoadReady]

That is only about half of what those ATSF 4-8-4s can do. Engineers have said they have gone over 125 mph in them.

[@clintonflynn815]

Are American tracks maintained to a high enough standard for those speeds?

[@308RoadReady]

In a few areas yes, but track speeds used to be lower. Passenger trains on the UP Overland route have a limit of 79mph I think. Back in the steam era they used to fly over the prairrie at 80+. There was less oversight of trains so they could get away with putting the hammer down.

[@jmtrainz2582]

Possible... 4-8-4s have more of a chance of beating mallard then duxplex, and that would piss off less people too.

[@Jinnoth]

Back in the streamliner days trains like the Super Chief and The El Capitan maxed out at 110 mph in between Barstow, CA and Needles, CA and even out in the great plains in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois

[@molinarodger6606]

Very Very True! My aunt worked at the San Bernardino shops during the latter part of world war II and she had the opportunity to actually ride in 3751 during test after some maintenance was done to the engine and because an engineer was sweet on 🥰 her he let her ride in the cab and she REMEMBERS the 51 exceededing "128 MPH" with six cars behind it from Devore to just before San Bernardino! The engineer kept telling her look look, at the speedometer and she was totally unplugged with excitement!

[@dw.7655]

Had the opportunity to meet the crew at LA Union Station and they took our Grandson into the cab to ring the bell. That is a marvelous locomotive and BNSF should use it with it’s fleet of private cars to promote rail just like UP does with 4014

[@karson-hw2uc]

That steam engine is one of my favorites

[@BCSchmerker]

Excellent job of capturing this fly-by run. Later British freight locomotives use drivers comparable in size to this AT&SF Alco, a cousin to Union Pacific #844 and the extinct New York Central Class S-1; the London & Northeastern Class A4, a passenger/express 4-6-2, uses drivers about half again as large in diameter.

[@buixrule]

What an epic pass. I don't like to guess speeds but man I could swear they were pushing a Franklin there. Probably closer to like 70 though. Still moving.

[@billimplom6610]

very nice run by. I saw a lot of this on the SP in the 1950s when I was a kid growing up in the SF bay area.

[@tsmith5041]

To use a quote from the hippies; "Far Out Man!!!!!" That was fantastic, wish my Lionels could have that effect.

[@lewisjohnson1009]

Amazing. I love how people clapped at the end