Will it Run? 83 Year Old Yellowstone Locomotive - Abandoned Project

Around two years ago I was digging through some boxes at a train store and ended up finding this ho scale Varney 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotive from around 1939. Unfortunately this locomotive was missing countless parts and was in some of the worst condition I've ever seen.
I believe this was likely started as a project that was never finished so getting it going would require making an entire drivetrain from scratch. I used Rivarossi and Tyco sets for the wheels, a generic 12volt motor and some gears from an Athearn.
After many hours of adjusting things and putting the engine together I was finally able to get it running again. I decided to give it a new coat of paint and some new details as well to finish it off.

[@linscher]

My husband is a train enthusiast and he just loves your show. We can’t believe how you brought this thing back to life. You are just amazing to watch.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you, I appreciate hearing that!

[@antonbruce1241]

Harrison, this repair was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! You took a certifiable piece of junk, and got it on the rails and running again. Now all ya need is that trailing tuck, and it'll be PERFECT! BTW - love the paint job as well!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I know it isn't perfect but I'm happy with what it is now.

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

@@SMTMainline if you can find a way to put a traction tire on the front truck it will stop the wheels from binding I don't think it's actually binding there is probably not enough weight to hold wheels on the rails even though you added some weight the tyco tender driven steams would bind a bit I actually took a piece of electric tape and cut it to size and put it on one wheel and it stopped the wheels from sliding on the rails where the two ends meet put a drop of glue don't over lap it will cause it to thump when it hits that spot.

[@olafjentzsch6759]

You really have alot of talent. Very cool locomotive. Thanks for sharing with us.🚂 Happy Railroading

[@John-op5vi]

Yes Antoni agree so join me in nominating Harrison for a Noble Piece Prize.)

[@brennenseibert6708]

​@@SMTMainline maybe at some trailing Wheels under the cab

[@chuckdeyo291]

I'm always impressed at what you do with a box full of spares and a hot glue gun. MacGyver of the RR hobby.

[@rayvestrayvene5376]

Wow 83 years old. Makes me realize i dont know when the first HO scale train was made. Nice job buddy.

[@SMTMainline]

For HO that's pretty long ago, I suspect the first were probably from the late 20s early 30s.

[@Petemonster62]

@@SMTMainline - Leonard Williams has some You Tube videos on that subject, " Bing Table Top Railway HO gauge vintage train deluxe outfit #4 clockwork circa 1923 made in Germany ". " Pennsylvania K4 steam engine 1st HO gauge engine made in America by George D Stock 1929 outside third rail ". & " Vintage Alco Diesel Locomotive Train Walther's one of the first HO gauge /scale diesels 1938-40 ".

[@kroy1037]

Harrison, your success with this engine was beyond restoration, it's resurrection: well done!

[@williamfowler8840]

😲😲😲This is absolutely the most jaw dropping-est rebuild you have ever done!!! WOW!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@railsofontario3029]

2 years after the project was was announced it runs…. but seriously it is amazing how you got this ancient locomotive running again with parts that would not fit originally in the slightest! Amazing work! I was dumbfounded by how well it runs considering the kit-bashed drive. Also like how you preserved the original numbers;)

[@SMTMainline]

It might have taken a while but better late than never right? I'm amazed the drive works as well as it does too, that motor is pretty strong.

[@An_Official_Scratcher]

@@SMTMainline I wouldn't disagree, that motor is strong.

[@SMTMainline]

@@An_Official_Scratcher that’s what I said.

[@az80311]

Ahhh the days of glory for a steam engine and you, my friend, are the arcitecht that made it possible. Just imagine, for a moment. this little train that has possibly never run saying, "I'm alive and I'm running". Thank you Harrison, you are amazing.

[@SMTMainline]

For sure. Unlike most of what I work on this locomotive never had a "heyday" since it was never finished until now. It finally got to run and a spot in the limelight in front of a 159,000 people!

[@seeber563]

You are definitely the Frankenstein of model trains

[@qwincyq6412]

You’re becoming the MacGyver of model railroading! Well done.

[@kevinb9327]

You NEVER cease to amaze! 😮 Impressive indeed!

[@joallawestervelt6918]

O M G!!!!! Absolutely amazing! The Harrison Touch prevails!! You did an incredible job on bringing life back to this beautiful old girl. Way to go Harrison. 💕

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, this one was pretty tricky but I'm happy with the results.

[@nathankeske5697]

That one looked a little rough at the beginning lol. Amazing transformation!!!

[@SMTMainline]

It needed some love for sure. I wish I had the OEM parts though.

[@caboosech]

Great job on restoring at Old Yellowstone nice to see something old but good running

[@Northern1225]

Watching this make me want to make a Yellowstone,not just that but this kinda inspires me because it was in bad condition but you still pulled through even if it wasn’t 100% finished

[@wilfred8326]

😅 Me too

[@niallcasey2057]

This has been the highlight of the year for me. Great to see you revive, what to many would be scrap. I wish you all the best for future challenges. Niall in Ireland

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch! It was a tricky one but I'm very happy with the results.

[@lovedrjectionblacklistedme2508]

This by far was the most beautiful amazing video 🥰 love the artwork you did on her

[@duncanfox2168]

you did a amazing job fixing it up from a shell and a truck to a fully functional loco Great job

[@gpalmt]

Bravo Harrison. This has to be your finest project to date. You took a piece of junk and turned it into a working engine. I’m sure that no one else would have taken the time nor had the success that you had. Congratulations!!

[@builddude1500TVL]

Now it's official, i'm addicted to this channel...

[@tropicalties3806]

Very impressive to say the least. I would like to see a follow up video on this locomotive. I think a tune up to chase out the bugs, some more paint work, this would be a 10/10 rock star. Great work Harrison.

[@SMTMainline]

I'm gonna try my best to finish it off but I'm already happy with where it's at.

[@wilfred8326]

​​@@SMTMainline I am trying to think of trailing trucks for it.... FYI some of the first Diesel Switcher Trucks were adapted from Tender Trucks.... There's a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone that IS PRESERVED. I found it on Google, # 225. 225's rear truck looks *vaguely* like the front truck of an Athearn HO Rotary. The Athearn Rotary Truck would have to be pushed "shimmed down" and an tongue/slot built to swing and guide the engine....

[@EMDSD14R]

One man's junk is another man's Yellowstone! I enjoyed seeing this being built! Great job!

[@SMTMainline]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamesschultz7550]

Harrison: Amazing Transformation. We should be calling you Dr Frankenstein. Great job, you Mad Scientist. Bravo 👏

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you.

[@NorthmassRails]

Running that Intermodal train reminded me about when the UP Challenger pulled an intermodal! 👍

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Congrats on flexing your engineering muscles. Nice job using what you had on hand to get this running.

[@drosselvonflugel4886]

You basicly build a completely new loc made out of spare parts. I love it.

[@robertrussell6774]

Congratulations there's nothing you can do you've helped so many people with your knowledge of HO ENGINES TRULY INSPIRING

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch!

[@David-yo5re]

Wow! You did an awesome job on that Harrison. That is why I called you Dr. Trainkenstein. Parts from multiple manufacturers and miscellaneous parts and you brought it to life.

[@SMTMainline]

I like the name!

[@Top-Trains-1943]

Wow SMT thats amazing your pretty much the doctor with trains, you fix everything with your skills. The steam locomotive looks amazing, the white painted wheels and side frames look awesome on it as well. Great video Harrison.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@the44thcosmic_galaxy25]

When I clicked on the video I thought it was going to be a quick fix and motor maintenance, because of how good the thumbnail looked. And when I saw that carcass in your hand when the video started I was startled. I wouldn't have had the slightest idea of how to make that chassis into a running train. Wow I want to say that this is one of the most pleasing videos to watch on your channel. Just because of how stunning the results are, considering that at the beginning this just looked like a piece of metal.

[@ApproachDiverging013]

Well done SMT! Very impressed how you kitbashed the 2 different wheel sets to get it on the rails! With the new paint job it looks really nice and can even pull your intermodal train fairly well! You should definitely bring that to model train shows to showcase! You can also easily upgrade it to DCC and sound since there's a lot of space for a decoder and cube speaker! Also, regarding my Bachmann F7, I sorted out the brushes in the pancake motor and it now runs like a champ! I used your Bachmann Amtrak F7 resto video as a reference. Its a 43 year old engine that is now back in service!

[@robertnielsen2461]

Called kit bashing many years ago,lost art now. Well done,thanks

[@TwinLitz2]

I would absolutely love more content on this locomotive

[@Tankman14852]

😁wow I am very happy to see this locomotive run

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Harrison you have some mad skills. Bringing life back to that 83 year old almost hopeless locomotive is quite an accomplishment.

[@toddcogswell9470]

Amazing. I just love watching your videos. This is one of my favorites.

[@masonlopez7386]

When you yelled yes, it put a smile on my face. The work you do seems impossible!

[@TGPilar]

“Will it run?” *proceeds to replace the entire engine* LMAO but no Fr this thing is amazing! Looks pretty good for being that old in my opinion

[@SMTMainline]

There wasn't much left to replace lol

[@ddyodaman5515]

Another fine mission! Completed!!😎

[@shaqtus3365]

Finally, the Varney Yellowstone is being restored! I remember seeing the haul video that he got this in and I couldn't wait until the restoration video on it came out.

[@SMTMainline]

It took a while but I'm happy to see it running.

[@bobsbasementhotrains3020]

Great video. Many years ago I tried something similar with two TYCO drives .I pull the axleand added a gear to it and . used a shortend Monogram big boy for the shell. Never got it to run. Nice to see your project is successful.

[@oystercreek9]

Adding a trailing wheel set will help to keep the nose down and get the front drivers working better I think. Excellent effort!

[@SMTMainline]

I'm on the hunt for some.

[@carltesh9612]

Harrison, Awesome restoration on a piece of junk truly a treasure

[@casstelles]

I like the creativity of the front end of the locomotive. You might look into fishing weights, tire weights, or BBs to help weigh down the front end of the locomotive drivers.

[@SMTMainline]

Tire weights would be a good choice because of their shape, thanks for the suggestion.

[@crystalrock18]

Yeah this is a straight up super awesome vibe!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing like seeing vintage locomotives getting to run again in all their glory.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks!

[@Realohiorailroadproductions]

Wow! That was by far one of the most amazing model train Restorations I think I've ever seen before. Great job smt!

[@DaMrFoundational]

This restoration was taken to the next level you really have proven your talents SMT and I wish you the best

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, it tested my skills but I'm happy with the results.

[@meliketrains7]

i love your content. it makes me so happy to see some of my favorite locomotives in ho scale get restored

[@SMTMainline]

I appreciate that.

[@j.harryfeldman1776]

Be careful! You’re about to be officially declared a genius! Congrats, Harrison, on an impossible rebuild.

[@jebbohanan2626]

Yeah buddy!! Rummaging around through spare parts and cobbling together a loco that actually works, IS PROBABLY THE MOST SATISFYING THING, THAT A TINKERER CAN DO!! And you made it look good also!! Definitely a huge thumbs up!!

[@johncloar1692]

You have a runner! Good work Harrison thanks for taking us along.

[@AlleghenyMTNRails]

Funny enough, I was literally looking for ideas to scratchbuild a B&O EM-1, also a Yellowstone, and the notification for this video comes up. I’ll be honest, the sheer excitement in his voice, this man probably hasn’t been happier than that in a LONG time. 😂 Thank you for uploading this when you did Harrison, this is exactly what I needed. Awesome video, keep it up.

[@Ae86786]

I remember when you first found it now we all see it back and running

[@mobahartenholm9289]

Absolut thrilling. Congratulations from Germany. Regards Rainer

[@gregginter5867]

A beautiful Frankenstein! Well done. Can’t believe it’s running that well!

[@awr1050]

This was awesome! I'm not much of a steam guy, but this got me really amped to build one as you did! Amazing job, hats off to ya. Would love to see you do this again and again in the future. Thanks for the fantastic content!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks!

[@MMRails]

There’s not much I can say that everyone hasn’t already said. Absolutely incredible. Things I like. As you know, the hot screwdriver through plastic. You rummaging through your parts collection. And finally, your genuine “yes!” when it first started to run. I’d like those 3 things in each video from now on please. 😊

[@Lil_Pennsy]

I love how u gave her a chance to ride again, I member seeing this the first time. 🥰🥰💯💯

[@transittown7891]

Wow you are a very clever man restoring the abandoned 83 year old steam locomotive. Relatively anything old can be made new again I guess 😊. So happy to see it running again as good as brand new

[@michaellindsey8769]

Absolutely beautiful and fantastic it's been in the making

[@bryankerns8482]

Very well done, I'm a big fan of restoring old projects people have left behind and am so glad to see another Modeler who's not afraid to tackle a mess and make it ready for the rails again. A possible fix for that front set "locking up" would be adding some weights to the frame of those wheels. Since the boiler is mounted to the back set none of the weight is on the front, so I'd bet they're just slipping over the rails rather than gripping and spinning; I had a brass C&O 2-6-6-2 with a similar drive to yours and it did the very same thing. Awesome job, keep up the good work!

[@NJEsperantist]

That was a fantastic ressurection of a discarded engine! Incredible transformation!

[@davidrodgers1321]

This is my favorite salvage repair video! Love it! The white pin stripes definitely add a touch. Dual motor would be sweet on a heavy locomotive like that. Put the same drive with another can motor in the front.

[@railfan475productions3]

A bit of oil on the joints and maybe a little more weight should sort out the front wheelset locking up. I can't believe how well it turned out, it practically looks brand new

[@Leesion73]

Harrison that was just awesome work, congrats! SERENITY..................

[@Scraghunter]

Neatly done! My brain is over here mentally making a DCC conversion to that rig lol. Doable.. Two Rapido trucks under the tender and little to no wiring in the loco itself. Hide the whole DCC setup in the tender. Could even get sound!

[@ginaklein8964]

I felt your excitement as your revamped 2884 circled your layout! Very nice ending to my day!

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

Impressive restoration 👌👍!

[@danielwhite1126]

Harrison you did a TREMENDOUS on this rebuild what a great piece of work. Keep going young man once once again CONGRADS !!!!!!!!!!

[@darrenoftheNorth]

Wow!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am very impressed as well. Nothing can stop smt mainline!

[@jdubs78]

This is what model railroading is all about! Great work. Your resourcefulness with these projects always amazes me and it is another reason I am a subscriber. I can’t wait to see the final product!

[@jefflynnalex]

Varney never had a complete kit for these. They made the shell and that's it. This is from an era when there was hardly anything available in HO scale and, in order to build almost any locomotive, a modeler had to use a combination of the limited parts that were available and their own wits and creativity. Varney made their own locomotives but also many extra parts, motors, chassis, etc which could be purchased separately to help hobbyists. The Yellowstone was always intended to be such a project. It was to be powered by combining two existing Varney (or Mantua) 2-8-0 chassis with the trailing truck from their 4-6-4. I've seen one of these shells combined with two Varney 4-6-2 chassis to create a Challenger type 4-6-6-4. All up to the modeler. What you've done is perfectly keeping with how this boiler was intended to be used albeit with more modern parts. Way to go!

[@gamerfan8445]

You all ways amazed me, with your projects. I been working on a kit based from a rivarossi cap forward to a Yellowstone. And I still have problems getting it to run. You have a talent, keep it up. 😊

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, this was a tricky one.

[@gamerfan8445]

@@SMTMainline I did some research and I found your Yellowstone is most likely a Northern pacific one. Due the shape of the cab, and when it was made.

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

You are the MAN !! Great job bringing Frankenloco back to life !!

[@shockstrains5077]

i remember when you first got this piece and now it’s finally running it’s amazing how time flies

[@1621billw]

83 years old and still kicking, very nice work!

[@dracoarton94]

You oughta call it the "SMT" class, it's pretty much your own design

[@GhostKnight5]

FINALLY THE YELLOWSTONE AGAIN

[@petemiksich5760]

I would not have believed it till I saw it with my own eyes. Amazing!

[@flatlandsline1968]

I remember when you got this like for ever ago nice details and nice job on fixing it!

[@NashRailfan]

As a DMIR foamer, and a long time channel member, I can confirm this is a Yellowstone class locomotive, DMIR class is M-3 and M-4 being 2-8-8-4.

[@modelrailroader5619]

🎶…”I was working in the lab late last night…🎶” I see a new industry on the layout “SMT Fabricating & Locomotive Refurbishing “. Fun project!

[@sampaul4090]

Nice seeing the Varney running again.

[@wilde1909]

I really liked this video, hope to see more like this one. Everybody can go out and and buy a new locomotive, but taking one like this and turning it into a runner is special. Hope to see you putting the finishing touches on it sometime.

[@SMTMainline]

I'd like to get the rest of the parts asap and call it complete :)

[@bigwoz78]

Franken-Steam. I love your ingenuity.

[@LifeOfRiley2166]

Phenomenal Harrison! I really enjoyed this video. I like how you pieced it together with stuff you have on hand. A skill I do not have.

[@Spokes-xs2sh]

Awesome. I love these ancient projects ! Keep them coming..

[@scottleidenberger4401]

IT'S ALIVE !!! Well done Dr. Frankenstein Ha Ha ! That was amazing. Again, well done .

[@grantwallace7989]

I love the "Universal Motor Mount"

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

Once again you show yourself to be a true engineer.

[@SoRTs6233]

Harrison, that was AWESOME! Your joy in seeing it run was infectious, I was rootin' for ya! It wasn't perfect but I wouldn't have tackled that. You deserve a medal for services to Model Locomotive Restoration! Well Done!

[@SMTMainline]

I had my doubts this one was gonna work out but somehow it lives on.

[@mlw2613]

as someone who has seen one of these behemoths DMIR # 227 and a native of the territory they ran i am very excited you got this going again. now you just need some ore cars! also contemplating sending you a offer for it if your willing Harrison.

[@bmtrains4466]

You bought that locomotive with just the drive in the shell at an antique shop I think I remember watching that video when it first came out on my grandma’s TV

[@SMTMainline]

It was in December 2019 at Larkspur line train store.

[@bmtrains4466]

@@SMTMainline oh ok

[@johnnycee5179]

You know own a very unique locomotive. Very nicely done, my hat is off to you.

[@RayBoebel]

Harrison my friend, you out did yourself on this one!! Obviously, a little tweaking here and there but WOW bud! NICE GOING!!!!!

[@swiv99]

its alive!...nice restore....I love doing this to old locos.

[@gregduck7455]

Jeez, what an astounding restoration. Your talents bringing these ancient model railway relics to life are fantastic. Very cool, Harrison, great job!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@TrainBandit]

I have a porter with a tooth pick holding the coupler in. Lol. You having the wooden pin holding the frame in reminded me of it lol

[@SMTMainline]

If it ain't broke don't fix it I guess right?

[@TrainBandit]

@@SMTMainline that’s what I said.

[@cWrobe901]

Gotta love that universal motor mount! 😄👍

[@RailRoadRex439]

I’m genuinely impressed with how well this restoration project turned out. Nice work man!