Steam-Powered Freight on the Strasburg Rail Road

A very nice way to end 2016 - big steam power on a revenue freight run! It had been announced that on 12/28, Norfolk Southern was to bring multiple loads to the interchange at Leaman Place Junction, heavy enough to require the use of two locomotives. Strasburg opted to use 2-10-0 'Decapod' #90 and 4-8-0 'Mollie' #475 to do the honors, bringing a passenger consist along for customers to ride. They put on quite a show as they bark upgrade to get the heavy consist to East Strasburg.
Two days later, it had been announced Norfolk Southern would be making yet another delivery. A shorter consist this time of only three hoppers, but Strasburg still opted to use steam power. Locomotive #90 did the honors to bring an empty back and the three loads in, also carrying a small passenger consist. Note Fido chasing and attempting to bite 90's wheels at the runby at Carpenter's Crossing.
Please enjoy, and Happy New Year to everybody!

[@deloreanman14]

That dog is certainly telling #90 how he feels....

[@drby0788]

deloreanman14 “I’m sick and tired, of these mother fucking trains!.”😂😂😂

[@disposition_]

Its awesome to see the Amtrak come zooming by the steam locomotive. Amazing video!

[@mercury7590]

Little doggo wanted to say hi to his train friend. :)

[@jrpalmer312]

Awesome vid I have always wanted to see 90 and 475 double heading. So sad I couldn't see it for myself.

[@Dinosorable]

Only thing missing from these steam freight trains is a caboose. But close enough. Also, gotta love the doggo barking at and chasing #90 as she barks and howls by with her train, near the end of the video. 😆

[@chrisparlow4450]

Very very cool to see steam pull freight again this should be done all the time.love his guys a great vid. Thanks for showing.

[@brianstellon8925]

it's great to see this kind of thing in the 2016/17 hope you had a good new year's

[@Bigjimvideo]

Damn...great video!! Added to my Favorites...

[@disposition_]

17:19 dog vs 90 who will win?

[@tombowman1521]

Not sure why Number 90 needed help. There is a picture in one of the older souvenir books showing 90 literally dragging 4 of the dead display locomotives for the as yet un-built museum.

[@CSXEMDTrainLover]

awesome train video

[@janetplanet4595]

17:08 omg are you really gonna try to fight a locomotive doggie? seriously I think this is one where you gotta back down lol

[@joshuamoore2363]

Look! 475 steam engine and 90 steam engine collect a freight train today.

[@wideworldofrailroads4014]

I have a Norfolk and Western Railroad spike

[@werD7054]

Nice ex pc hopper around 14 min

[@ejud2001]

Nice. Excuse my ignorance, but how come they use two engines to pull 9 cars? Saw the same in another vid you did and was expecting to see a hundred cars. ???

[@PlanetMikey74]

1. These are older engines so they have reduced max tonnage from many years ago. 2. These cars are 100 tons each or more, double that of standard cars in the 50's and 60's.

[@ejud2001]

Thank you. :)

[@KLTrainz]

Each engine probably could have handled the freight alone, but the railroad needs these engines to be in perfect working order 7 days a week for passenger service. It's not worth pushing them to their limits and risking any strain on them. Also, the curve out of Groff's Grove limits the speed in which they can get into the grade heading towards Esbenshade road. So the added power helps to prevent any stalling.

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

The engines are just limited to how much tonnage they can pull up the grade, it has nothing to do with how old they are or anything, I've seen strasburg commenting on something before, dont remember if it was here on KZbin or facebook. They said the most that #90, which is the most powerful engine they have, could haul 1950 tons uphill if I'm remembering right. That's why they often double head.

[@vincentberkan605]

Is Strasburg the only railroad in the USA to still use steam in full revenue service?

[@blackstone1a]

Vincent Berkan pretty much

[@dukctape]

Yep. There's plenty of short lines that use heritage power on freight but this is the only one to use steam

[@stephenmccloughan7541]

Sometimes the Black River and Western Railroad will use 60 but they haven't in a while.

[@Stussmeister]

That's right, they mention this over the speaker on their passenger excursions. The railroad offers railcar-to-truck transfer of grains, bulk feed additives, dry fertilizers, lumber, steel, bedding, and biofuel as well as handling bulk transfers from truck to railcar. I also imagine that when an Amtrak or Norfolk Southern locomotive passes by #90 and #475 working, it might say, "I see you girls have still got it!!"

[@GETOUTLTD]

Are we not gonna talk about the Amish man with an iPhone

[@tomy.1846]

Probably a Mennonite, they also do the buggy rides! :)

[@BrooklawnRailfan]

Amish with a phone? Wait THATS ILLEGAL

[@littlepastelkitten]

I love steam locomotives. they always seem to look happy. diesel locos are ugly

[@user-kz4ye6lm9v]

🌐🌐🌐