Steam Men - Life on a Steam Engine Train

Learn what it's like to be a fireman and engineer on a steam locomotive. Join Steve Otten and Matt Cunningham of the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as they make the beautiful and sometimes terrifying trip from Durango to Silverton in the majestic San Juan Mountains located in Southwest Colorado.
Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed and the train began hauling both passengers and freight.
From the very beginning, the railroad was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service although the line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains. It is estimated over $300 million in precious metals has been transported over this route.
By 1885 the population of Silverton had grown to 1100 and Otto Mears completed the toll road to Ouray and additional narrow gauge track out of Silverton was laid down in 1887. In 1893, 10 large mines in the Silverton district were forced to close when silver prices dropped from $1.05/oz to $.63/oz. Just three years later the Yankee Girl and Guston Mines played out. In Durango, the fire of 1889 virtually destroyed downtown and the first automobile arrived by train in 1902. By 1906, Mesa Verde was designated a National Park, increasing the potential for tourism promotions.
Throughout the next twenty years the railroad faced many challenges; slides, floods, snow, war and financial instability. When the US Government entered WW I, it assumed operation of the railroad. Shortly after resuming control of railroad operations, the D&RGW reorganized due to financial difficulties. Silverton suffered devastating effects from the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 - 10 percent of the population died in just six weeks! In addition, the Gold King Mine closed, the Sunnyside Mine temporarily ceased operations for almost ten years and the Silverton Railroad closed.
With the advent of WW II, the US Government requisitioned narrow gauge equipment to use in Alaska and the smelter in Durango reopened to process uranium for use in the war. The smelter continued to process uranium instead of silver into the late 1940's due to the Cold War. By 1947 the Silverton branch was in danger of being abandoned. A determined staff stepped in and helped to promote tourism keeping the line alive. Then Hollywood discovered Durango and the railroad. Over the next ten years several movies were filmed in the area showcasing the train: Ticket to Tomahawk, Across the Wide Missouri, Denver & Rio Grande, Viva Zapata and Around the World in 80 Days.
During the latter part of the 1960s, the Durango-Silverton was registered as a National Historic Landmark and was awarded as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. In 1969 the D&RGW abandoned the tracks south of Durango isolating the line and leaving the future of the line in question. Hollywood continued its fascination with the area and the railroad with the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. As the railroad prepared to celebrate its 100th birthday, Charles E. Bradshaw, Jr. purchased the Silverton branch and with the restoration process complete, engine #481 returned to service after 20 years in retirement.
Throughout the 1980s, the D&SNGRR continued to build on the scenic tourist railroad industry. Engines and coaches began to be weatherized for winter use; a third train to Silverton was added to the schedule along with an alternative fourth train to Cascade Canyon Wye; major track reconstruction occurred as nearly ten thousand ties were replaced. Locomotives #497 and #480 were restored and returned to service, the #497 being the only K-37 to run on the line and the innovative RailCamp was built for use in the summer. In 1985 the D&SNGRR purchased the Silverton Depot, returning it to service. By 1986 there were four trains running to Silverton with a fifth running to Cascade Canyon Wye!
Today the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to provide year-round train service, operating a historical train with rolling stock indigenous to the line. The locomotives used to pull today’s train remain 100% coal-fired, steam-operated. The locomotives are 1923-25 vintage and are maintained in original condition. The coaches each feature bathroom facilities and are heated during the winter months for passenger comfort. Open gondola cars provide a panoramic view of the mountains. Concessions are available on every train. The Durango & Silverton is owned and operated by American Heritage Railways.
www.durangotra...

[@robertrockwell7581]

GOD bless the men and women who keep this and other steam trains running and alive so we all can enjoy them.

[@ryandavis7593]

Thank you. I am a former employee of The Georgetown Loop Railroad. I am working on the broad gauge now but still railroading.

[@Firebrand55]

When one small, wide-eyed boy looks up and asks, 'Are you the train driver?', you just know you're in the right job.

[@petercallaghan9851]

2 of the happiest workers you'll ever see. I'm green with envy.

[@lenheard412]

I love seeing the old steam engines still doing what they were made to do.

[@jmcgregor316]

I have watched a number of the steam locomotive videos from here and from Union Pacific. Operating a steam locomotive is a very complex undertaking. The engineers and firemen are incredible and deserve accolades for their hard work and care. They have so much responsibility.

[@WarThunder-zt4xw]

I just loved seeing this and it's so good to know there's such awesome people keeping these machines going! It's an important part of our history that should be preserved and looks like these are in good hands. :)

[@tc7268]

Worth every penny awesome experience

[@blackberrylady6025]

Extremely Fantastic.....Hard work....I loves the steam engine, whistle too....my husband now has 31yrs working on trains. My dad, 2 brother's, uncles....my grandpa retired...love em..🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🏅🏅🥇🥇🏅🖐🏽🖐🏽🖐🏽🖐🏽

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

I've always envied the guys who run vintage steam locomotives...especially coal-burning steam locomotives. 👍😉🙂

[@rogerhuber3133]

What a great look into the life of the railroad and it's train crews. Superb!

[@jamesharrison5005]

Very inspiring. I can’t wait to see the train in person.

[@brianmeattey4151]

A train like them are a beautiful sight and no matter how different they are the idea of running them is a unique exsperience I'm sure and I would love it .drive safe and godbless

[@brianmeattey4151]

The scenery and the veiw is so beautiful and that's another unique thing about a train .you see things that not many peaple get to see .

[@klyonsden]

Been on this train twice. Once in winter, then in summer. Fantastic ride! Earlier watched the firing from cold start of one of these beasts. 6-7 hours just to get it ready for us. Amazing! I will go back again and again!

[@bobyharyadi990]

keep spirit !!!

[@brianmeattey4151]

I had to subscribe due to I've allways loved trains .I don't know why I think this but train drivers exspecialy old train drivers are like heros to me I've never had a chance to exsperience such beauty as they have and surely would love to . I'm 52 now so probley never will have the chance. but I'll allways love the old steam engines .godbless

[@RedRiverRailfan]

The rhythm of the steamer, unbeatable by any instrument, or voice of man or woman.

[@DTGee64]

This was back in the glory days of the railroad when all of the engines still ran on coal.

[@burlingtonjohn6223]

OUTSTANDING!!!!! The reason that I return to Durango year after year .... well worth the 1,000 mile trip to ride the D&S and be around these true professionals.

[@NINORON1]

Loved this video. This is still my favorite train ride and would love to do it again. Thanks for what you do.

[@20joy06]

I just found this video and of several I have seen, this is the best one yet for covering the overall trip. I was born and raised in Durango and spent my early childhood climbing around and over those cars and hearing the whistle every morning and evening (there was only one run in those days). Both of my brothers worked on the train in the I believe late 40's. One was a fireman and one was a brakeman. My grandfather worked on the Durango-Silverton route as I believe a section chief and was killed on the Chama route while operating a handcar. I just hope I live long enough to bring my Grand children out to Durango and get them on a ride. Again excellent job folks, thanks for the memories.

[@drgw489productions]

I only have one bad memory with the railroad but otherwise I can't stop riding and trying to get on the fleet, my uncle was a brakeman in the 40's and was dragged 5 miles when he got caught in between the cars. he had to retire at 31

[@charlielaudico3523]

I was in Silverton Colorado in the early 90s! I never got to ride the train! I was pressed for time! I should have made the time!

[@Bal4833]

I have had this on my Watch Later list for several weeks. I do enjoy learning of her perspective. Now even a bigger fan after seeing a framed copy of the Bloom County comic over her right shoulder.

[@gabrielgonzalezaldaco2919]

Thank s for sharing this spectacular video. I think it is the most beautiful that I´ve seen. I hope someday to get in and travel through the mountains, rivers, and cliffs.

[@chriscraftpro3246]

I can’t believe someone disliked this this is an amazing video about such amazing locomotives

[@terryneubaum8279]

Really like this video of steam was done very well.My grandfather during World War II worked on a steam engine so it was really where I got my start loving steam engines.

[@chrisw8417]

Great video. Also remember that there’s a whole crew of engine watchmen who service and repair the engines after their runs and keep them steaming overnight and get them ready for the crews in the morning. I know cuz I have a metal plate in my finger from greasing #486.

[@sumedhadematanpitiarachchi4411]

All the best and good luck many many thanks for keep going

[@jonnybosy2876]

aww thanks

[@robertgift]

Wonderful, informative, fun video! Love to learn of the locomotives' personalities.

[@deaustin4018]

I rode on steam trains as a kid in the UK in the late fifties. Then we came to the US, and it was like, wow, what funny looking trains here. It's good to see steam trains again.

[@ryandavis7593]

Each operator, whether engineers or firemen, can bring out the best or worse out of a locomotive. Having worked exclusively on oil burning engines I can say that some do very well and others don’t. I haven’t the experience with coal. I loved my experience on The Georgetown Loop though that isn’t all of it.

[@dannythinko]

Brilliant video, one of the best I've seen on KZbin. So glad I found it. Well done to all involved. Can't wait to get over to the US and ride on your railway!

[@knightingalesaid]

Great video, an awesome adventure with beautiful sights.

[@paulafranceschi]

Very well-done piece! I just loved in Silverton for a month and got a season pass for the D&SNGRR. Amazing!!!

[@petercunningham4000]

Great video. Thank You to everyone involved in making this video I found it very interesting. I already knew how much work is involved in preparing and running then disposal of a steam locomotive and I really enjoyed your presentation. I will probably never get over to the U S A now but if I ever do come over, I will make a beeline for your railway. THANK YOU.

[@baritonebynight]

I've always wanted to ride these trains.

[@skeeterweazel]

What a great video. I've ridden on 480 twice during the summer. A winter ride sure looks pretty.

[@skippy8039]

Nice video of an interesting railway.

[@styldsteel1]

KZbin is the best website ever.

[@morpheen_moon]

Please continue to share this dream ♥♥♥♥

[@donaldwallace7934]

Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing!!

[@johnmeadows5645]

there is a line in a train song by Hank Snow that describes a steam engine as; ( a great iron beast ). when you stand by the track and watch one pass, you will agree with that description.

[@colecamclay]

"Life On A Steam Engine Train" they need to rename this video.

[@stephensfarms7165]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.

[@That_Thicc_Cat]

Why does the fireman kinda look like John Cena?

[@granskare]

I believe my son has ridden on this train :)

[@stephensfarms7165]

What a shame the coal fired trains are not running this year, 2020. Thanks 🙏

[@danieloconnell6306]

The climb up the hill from Omaha depot is the same thing

[@antonrebong3398]

Train is. My. Feyvre

[@tsgmultimedia]

This is really good!

[@nicom4996]

How can We Appy for this job

[@nicom4996]

How can We apply for this job

[@allenhughes12]

I bet that fireman needs a good rub down after work 😉

[@jamescassidy5885]

watch out for Butch Cassidy he's hiding in those hills somewhere!!

[@Crosshead1]

James Cassidy you may already know but the D&SNGRR was in fact used in the making of the film Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.

[@mikelagaffe]

Can a normal guy jusy like you and me become a fireman or engineer? Seriously i'd do it. Been my dream since day1 of highschool when i first saw machinists demonstrate a miniature steam train they built by hand with videos of this line with Eureka on the rails.. I almost moved to great britain 3years ago to volunteer on their heritage lines...it would be my dream job especially with those spectacular views up there

[@rotunda57]

13:50 a few of them didn't take the repeat. Ouch.

[@LuckyTrucker1]

Hi there , I've not seen very much of USA footplate work , I've seen plenty of UK and even ridden on a few UK ones , very impressed . May I ask what is all that steam about that is rushing out on the left hand side , is it when the boiler is being filled with water from the ejectors? A very good recording , I will be looking out for more , thank you .

[@schmidt60410]

Probably condensation drains on the cylinders while they were drifting downhill.

[@kansascitysouthernfan6966]

LuckyTrucker1 I believe it’s releasing the brake / cylinder pressure. But don’t quote me on the that.

[@pauljw7697]

I've seen locomotives at Strasburg RR do the same & was told it's done periodically to clear sediment from the boiler. Dirt, rust & corrosion will collect in the bottom of the boiler. If that gets into the system, it can possibly scour the valve & cylinder walls. So, a quick blow down will get rid of it. Some steam engineers add a quick short "blow down" to their excursion just to add a little extra experience for the riders. Blow down piping was usually built facing downward. But, to add to the steam show, some pipes have been redirected to expel out the side. That gives the riders an idea just how much steam pressure is contained in that boiler. You can also see it explained here, at 18:25 through 19:14, kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4HJga2kr7Fkha8&index=28

[@soundman423]

It’s a blow down valve, its main purpose is to lower the boiler water level if you get your fire really hot while your drifting for awhile to keep the safety from popping off then you’ll need to get rid of some water to keep from working water into the the cylinder and blowing the heads off because water won’t compress like steam. An added perk to the blow down is getting rid of sediment aka boiler mud

[@John73John]

There's occasionally a large blast of steam coming from just behind the drive wheels. (Closeup of it at 21:49) Can anyone tell me what this is?

[@thatguy1917]

John73 John the steam coming out the left side of the engine is the exhaust from the feed water pump. It's a small turbine driven pump that moves water from the tender to the feed water heater in the smoke box. From there a high pressure pump pushes the water into the boiler to replace the water that is boiled off. It is operated intermittently as demand requires. There's a pretty good explanation on "feed water management" from the Grand Canyon Railway on the youtubes. I just don't know how to insert a link here. It's on the fireman's side as that's his responsibility. If the water level gets to low the crown sheet of the firebox can overheat, gets soft and the boiler will explode. So it's kind of important. Hope that helps.

[@John73John]

Ah, thanks for the explanation. You can just copy+paste the URL of the video in a comment and it'll make the link automatically.

[@thatguy1917]

John73 John see now you've helped Me as well The feedwater bit starts around 8:22. Prior to that it talks about the injectors. Just happy I could share some "knowledge of questionable utility " I refuse to call it "useless" kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5zckJ6IptVqeM0

[@cwhuffman01]

These engines do not have “turbine driven water pumps.” All have non lifting type injectors, which do blast some steam when they are started up but not a whole lot. What you see at the 21 minute mark is a Blow down which blows out sediments or other built up scale matter from the firebox. This task is done several times on this trip, primarily for effect.

[@aaronlevering3158]

The blowdown is done more frequently when the water quality is poor. Even with softened water in your house, shower heads do plug up. Think about what this scale or sediment would do to the boiler if not cleaned out. The blowdown helps with the raising of steam in the boiler as it can transfer heat more efficiently.

[@LintonHerbert]

Ignoring dirt and CO2 climate change if it exists, if you'd be so kind, a calorie of energy from coal is the cheapest calorie you will ever have. Aaand, the working gas of a steam engine is H20, molecular weight 18, while the working gas in a diesel is nitrogen (molecular wight 28) CO2 (molecular weight 44) and O2 (32) so steam is the lightest, and at any temperature the molecules are moving fastest and giving the most energy to the piston head. A steam engine is simply better than a diesel, if you can find the skilled men to make it work.

[@MPT_Productions]

This was amazing! Why does 482 have 486’s tender?

[@royreynolds108]

Tenders are easily swapped between locomotives, particularly of the same class. Unhook the water lines, air lines, and draw bar on one then replace the tender and hook everything back up. The Burnham shops in Denver had the 454 and 464 in for work. One was in for boiler work and other was in for running gear work; to get a running loco out as fast as possible the boilers were swapped. No. 464 now has the throttle of the 454. This was not a few hours work but faster than the work needed for either loco alone.

[@MPT_Productions]

Roy Reynolds I know that they can easily be swapped, but I’m wondering why exactly it happened

[@williamreed805]

MPT 765 This was a couple yrs ago but the 482's tender was being repaired. They had their regular tenders back after a short period.

[@MPT_Productions]

William Reed that makes plenty of sense. Thanks

[@3900Class]

What kind of hat is Matt wearing?

[@stevemarshall6853]

Um...bell ringing like crazy...except it aint moving.

[@cwhuffman01]

That’s because these bells have pneumatic ringers that will automatically ring the bell when the engineer or fireman turns a valve. They can still be rung manually with the bell cord, though.

[@adamzaidi1748]

There for a second I thought dude was pissing out the window.

[@ttm2609]

We need to convert these to hydrogen or electric, carbon burning emissions is not cool

[@brianmeaux3072]

And even better At starting wildfires. Even better

[@williamreed805]

Uninformed and a pathetic statement.

[@Crosshead1]

William Reed and not yet proven.

[@kansascitysouthernfan6966]

Brian Meaux things happen, it could’ve happened anywhere else that runs steam locomotives.

[@benjames866]

They're aware of the dangers. These locomotives have spark arrestors and they have crews that follow the trains extinguishing fires.

[@donjayh]

Who pays for this crap?

[@Aidan_Rattlehead]

The ones that ride the train, donations, and the ones that own this railroad Like it or not but people like seeing railroad history operate