THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A.E.KARNES

[@Rainhill1829]

Alex embodies everything we strive for, someday i wish to have the honor of shaking his hand.

[@ClipperDays]

We need more people like Alex. He sounds as if he was born a century to late.

[@ianlainchbury]

An amazing short series, very enjoyable, and what amazing young man. Thank you both Keith and Alex.

[@greenrocket23]

The man speaks like a poet, whenever he gets to talk about steam-engines.

[@97trainman]

I have never heard anyone put into words, the feelings and emotion that steam evokes, so eloquently and well. For that, I thank you.

[@cook5381]

Alexander Karnes is a marvel of human engineering. A wise head on young shoulders indeed. It's a real pleasure to listen to his outpouring of knowledge and he constantly answers questions I am poised to ask. The machines are marvellous too!

[@unvaxxeddoomerlife6788]

What a splendid chap.

[@StockbridgeLoco]

I have found my spirit animal: A.E. Karnes

[@hfdzl]

I have always been inspired with steam.Its power is amazing! Thank you to A E Karnes, living the life I have always dreamed of!

[@sethware1665]

You’ve restored a small amount of faith in today’s society for me. I was fairly certain individuals like yourself, no longer existed. Cast aside and forgotten, while mankind chases contemporary technology, seemingly regressing rather than flourishing. The discipline, passion, and effort it takes to achieve what you have, professionally and as an individual, has all but disappeared from our culture. It can’t be taught, or purchased, its that rare trait of understanding the world around oneself and molding it to you, not allowing the world to mold the person. Humanity is losing touch with that, and the further away we get from it, the harder it will be to recapture. I don’t enjoy thinking our society has peaked and coming down the other side, but it’s not looking good out there. I empathize with your philosophy, ideology, and motivation to preserve these tools that catapulted mankind into greatness. You are a testament of what we were, and should strive to become once again. Good luck out there, heavy burden to go against the grain.

[@hyett1954]

Thank you, Alex, for the work you do and the passion that you put into it. We have a little bit in common, I too live on the Connecticut shoreline, and at the age of six, back in 1960, I stepped off a train with my mother and entered a grand old train station, New York's original Pennsylvania Station. I remember staring up and being amazed at the huge glass ceiling over the concourse. My father attended Pratt Institue in the 1940's, I wonder if that steam power plant was operational back then.

[@Honeydwarf85]

Absolutely amazing video. I'm very jealous of this guy! lol

[@raypoole2394]

What an extraordinary young man and a wonderful view of the world. Bravo!

[@WilsonPendarvis-tn3wm]

How wonderful that you do that

[@brushnut1909]

You are a total awesome individual ! Godspeed to you and your endeavors to save this incredible industrial history before it’s all lost to the scrap pile

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

Well Said, Live Long an Healthy

[@senorjp21]

Karnes is great. Thanks, Keith for promoting this young man. Tip: don't say "I'm probably available" say "contact me now for availability" :)

[@trainsbangsandautomobiles824]

How am I just now finding out about this cool dude? He's been on my fb friend suggestions for months lol

[@MrZx9rdoug]

Fantastic,could listen to him all day.

[@petermcneill80]

Iv only just stumbled across you on the internet recently and am absolutely blown away with your knowledge, outlook, and enthusiasm your videos are my favourite thing on line right now 👍🏻

[@keithappleton]

Thank you, I appreciate your kind comment. Glad that you enjoy my videos.

[@kiffing]

Not sure if many would think like me but the words and sentiment behind those words are beautiful. Today the microchip has contaminated what was once something that was mechanical and beautiful. Today you need a multi meter and an oscilloscope in the past you need a wrench and a mind. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@jameswyatt1304]

You used to need a multimeter and an oscilloscope, but nowadays the computer's replaced the oscilloscope. You need a mind for any of these and why both old and new technology fascinate me. Wonderful video, indeed.

[@christopherlawley1842]

I find both fascinating but in different ways. Of course, generally speaking, the one powers the other.

[@NathanielKempson]

This guy is Fred reborn.

[@jamesgoodwin2450]

NKProductions2014 my first thought too

[@djWarp6]

Thanks! This guy is incredible!!!

[@mikebaldwin9972]

This is an awesome young man,anything he does is interesting,THANK YOU SIR.

[@jim671671]

Awesome video!!! Broke my heart to see that flywheel get cut up with the lance! You're a legend Mr. Kearns. For doing what you've done, thankyou.

[@jamestregler1584]

My hat is off to you Sir your new friend from old New Orleans 😎

[@keithappleton]

Thanks and welcome

[@scratchdog2216]

He's great. I hope he's keeping notes for a book someday. Excellent post. Thanx.

[@jbstandsforjasonborne3847]

I am envious of the things mr Karnes gets up to. Frankly where I live, there's not a single puff of steam (that I know of) being used for anything other than culinary or food production purposes. My city just isn't old enough to have infrastructure produced before the age where everything was and still is made to be cheap and replaceable. I've actually gotten so fed up with this that I made my own pop pop marine engine for small boats that I had made. That's the closest I get to the engineering marvels of the east coast and American interior.

[@SteamerEdge]

What an interesting and inspiring person, I wish you well Mr Karnes and I think you have a brilliant future ahead............

[@WINCHANDLE]

FYI. There's a steamer fire engine pumper in Jamestown RI. They crank it up time to time. The geometry is designed to get a head of steam up quickly.

[@kb1pli]

Absolutely brilliant god speed best steaming to you.

[@Yaaayishere]

Fantastic, well done and keep up the good work, we need many many more like you. Thanks Keith for introducing him to us.

[@BoumanserviceNl]

This story is the sum of natural born curiousity combined with taking a look on what is surrounding a person with his eyes wide open....it should be obligatory to all coming generations, not to withhold them progression and innovation, but to show them the foundation on which the future has been based

[@jims6323]

That was excellent!

[@keithappleton]

Thank You }:-)))

[@telescopebuilder]

Godspeed, sir!

[@lucase.garcia8026]

The world tends to look for alternatives and eventually falls back on things it had already solved. A lot of noise and confusion, often in the name of "good business", takes the focus away from what is really important. By claiming to consider steam as something "from the past", they've not investigated it with the depth it deserves. There's a lot of hidden capability in it. I believe that steam will sooner or later and inevitably fulfill that role. We're not far away from implementing it again, trust me. I take that for granted. And we count on the good fortune of people like Alex to take it to the next level. As a fantasist who believes in the intelligent design of things, I can say that I admire this guy. From my place: may God protect and guide all his works and projects.

[@morsemorse1690]

thanks !!! Many Thanks !!!!!! i've a LANZ ZL 1907 in france... I contact Alex !

[@rossstenner4402]

An erudite, enthusiastic, knowledgeable even poetic summary of why many are drawn to steam, tinged with sadness at the loss of so many the mighty engines that powered the world, lost to 'bean counters' & the 'old=bad' types, Sad that so many have gone hope for those that remain, often preserved against the odds, an important resource for the future so people can learn of the past by seeing, the engine live, feeling the thud of pump valves & smelling the hot oil & steam mixture. Things of power & beauty built to last forever in a world of short term, easily broken, disposable things.

[@Cyruscosmo]

Wow, And here I thought I was a little weird for wanting to build my own steam launch. I look forward to inviting both Keith and Alex both for a ride when they happen to be out my way. Very nice video, very motivating.

[@yeoldeseawitch]

I was born in rhode island which, despite once having its very own locomotive works until it became part of the massive conglomerate known as ALCo, doesn't have a single steam locomotive in the state, display or running. and its the only state that doesnt have one. So when i first laid eyes on a real operating steam locomotive, the New Haven J-1 replica built from a Chinese SY Mikado, 3025, on the Valley Railroad, I knew from then and there that this was going to be my passion for the rest of my days.

[@ponkkaa]

I grew up across the sound from you. Long Island Sound for those of you unaccustomed to the area. I traveled the New Haven line many times from the 1960s to the 1970s. It still fascinates me to this day 60 years later.

[@LowVoltage_FPV]

Living the dream.

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

Thank you! To both of you....

[@Blackcountrysteam]

I'd like to second Ian's comment and add A.E is one of those guy's you easily listen to !!!

[@andrewabbot1380]

Thanks Keith and Alex

[@sirstan808]

Mr Karnes, you're a real gentleman. Great meeting you, albeit in YT land.

[@rogerherrick8323]

A great story. Please keep sharing.

[@bigdaddy3662]

Karnes for president 2024

[@gregorylee1879]

A.E, Steam has always had a deep fascination for me, but unlike yourself I was never able to build on that passion, Ive had to suffice with viewing steam operations whenever and wherever I've been able to find it. Keith's videos have been a wonderful outlet for me, as I was finally able to see and experience for the first time up close just how wonderful is the design and appearance of the mechanical genius that is steam power. The simplicity of steam, coupled with the mechanical beauty of steam engines is fascinating, and I always find myself mesmerized by the rhythm, inherent in these incredible beasts. I am so glad that there is someone out there, in your age group that has fallen into the role of caretaker for this technology. Because in this world of electronics, it would be easy to see these links to our past removed and silenced, and the world would become more void in the process. For you and Keith, please keep up the efforts to preserve steam, and please continue to share for those of us who do not have your wonderful outlet!!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Love it! Hope to meet both of you one day

[@JoshKilen]

very nice video. It is kinda said that the way of the old world is going away of stuff last and can be rebuilt to keep it running for a cheap and disposable world.

[@stamrly418]

What a man. Just love the video. A man with passion, skill and drive to make these steam beauties live. A stuffed and mounted cold steam item has no life. Feed it with oil and steam and they grab you brain turn dreams to reality. Well done. What is even better Mr A.E Karen’s is young enough to to make more steam engineers and make even more steam marvels live. Tug the forelock to a man with steam oil in his veins, a fire in his belly , hands that make things work and a brain to understand how to keep them going. AMacf

[@ericmartinson7205]

Very nice! I purchased my first two steam engines at the age of 12, model engines of course, but I run them time to time. I am fascinated by your knowledge and enthusiasm for steam and wish you the best of luck! I myself am interested in hit and miss engines and early antique tractors and equipment, but appreciate you and your knowledge just as much. I hope many more of our generation take up the hobby, or it may die with people like us. Keep up the great work!

[@keithappleton]

I agree with you that the hobby will eventually die. From my experience basic practical skills are disappearing with each generation. It is the way of things ........

[@ericmartinson7205]

Sadly I have to say so, the younger generations have no use for any technology younger than the computer. I only hope that a few people my age can still remember the old days.

[@allansr100]

Fascinating video. Fascinating guy.

[@BravoCharleses]

Keith, I knew you were an artist, but this is something else. Thank you both!

[@associatedblacksheepandmisfits]

The noise of a locomotive even when at rest is like a live animal testing the bars of a cage, suppressed steam violence creaking and groaning, set me free !😊

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

Amazing! Very intense and passionate! I grew up in NY and have seen many of those places shown in Connecticut and NY and never knew such beautiful machines were the driving force!

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

He really did an outstanding job articulating what drives a true steam nut's heart. Hope to meet both of you and work together one of these days.

[@keithappleton]

I hope so too!

[@jaylittleton1]

Thank you both. Even my wife gasped at seeing the destruction of the engines.

[@Theenchantedminecrafters.2]

I think you would like Toronto

[@smalcstein]

Mister Karnes should really write a book about those wonders..

[@WINCHANDLE]

And another infallible sign of a genius. They have enough confidence to make fun of themselves. For me is was always interesting to see who could see through the charade. Mark Twain: "It takes a smart man to play the fool."

[@marto2200]

loving this stuff.

[@willybee3056]

Maybe what you disscribe is the reason that they call it LIVE STEAM? And to wax poetic, a steam engine is referred to as being living and breathing.... Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@Hogger280]

He is an amazing Asperger's Genius.

[@jimbos3421]

Very nice non-operable 800 HP triple expansion engine in the old Erie Pa. waterworks building on the bayfront hwy. Building has large glass windows to view it through.

[@SteveJohnson-CU-CSM]

Born just in time! ❤ I study rocks. So does NASA. Steam machinery? What next steambots?

[@Erik-dg6et]

wow i live right up the road from the philipsburg engine

[@Falkenroth1]

Start a KZbin channel. Your doing excellent work. Read many books on George Westinghouse and have a portrait of him hanging in my house. A lot of this stuff reminds me of his factories and his involvement in the industrial revolution. He was a great man loved by his employees.

[@keithappleton]

Alexander Karnes alreay has a KZbin cHANNEL: kzbin.infovideos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

[@cyberbadger]

Amazing video and amazing preservation work! However 2 largest in Steam Engines North America, I'm not sure about that? What about the 130 Ton 4798 horsepower Corliss in Illinois for example? There are still quite large old steam engines and steam pumps being used in the petroleum industry - but they don't publicize it - they just use them.

[@AEKarnes]

The illinois Corliss is a marvel I've wanted to work with for a while, it gives us a run for our money but that engine only outdoes us in horsepower and flywheel weight and diameter. The engine in Woburn is a 3.5 story tall compound Corliss weighing about 270 tons and the engine in Phillipsburg is a 6 story tall Triple expansion Corliss weighing in at 600 tons. Waterworks engines are very low horsepower as their duty rating demanded constant work without stopping for months at a time. I've seen a lot of recip steam at work in the petroleum industry, none of the stuff at work there approaches the size of our engines. If anything like that was still running, my colleague Mike Piersa would most likely know about it.

[@SouthbaySpeaks]

Wonder if the tower at 4:25 inspired Elon Musk's "X" logo?

[@unitedbolts8053]

Did you meet fred dibnah?

[@keithappleton]

Yes, I met him when he was 63.I spent a couple of pleasant afternoons with him at his place. Fred was a very interesting and extremely intelligent man. R.I.P Fred Dibnah.

[@effooo2000]

I actually went to the same school as Alex ask him if he remembers Andrew gladstone

[@shadowraith1]

Don't know your early trauma, nor asking. You got bit hard by the steam bug. Also had the opportunity to not only to see and work the remnants of that age but make it your life. Very few ever get that chance or opportunity to do that. Keep on steaming.👍

[@comms9803]

This seems right up my alley, except I don't have the means of obtaining a steam engine of some sort.

[@AEKarnes]

What sort are you looking for? They are more easily obtainable than you might think if you know where to look.

[@destro513]

How do I give this kid money.

[@keithappleton]

Why not ask him? www.youtube.com/@AEKarnes

[@march11stoneytony]

I'm living the wrong life

[@gregr267]

Very well scripted. Classic.

[@AEKarnes]

No script if you can believe that!

[@keithappleton]

Not scrpited - he just assembled the video and recoded his voice over it ...... }:-)))

[@virgilcaine3291]

You could have done worse.