What's a full day as STEAM TRAIN CREW like?

This past Sunday, I spent my last day as a volunteer at the ‪@crrm‬ . That's only because I'm joining the museum as full time staff shortly, so expect more content :). Special thanks to the Museum for letting me film and help out, as always! I tried to capture what the full day entails, as much as I could without incriminating anyone too hard... lol! The two runs shown with me firing, then running, were the start and end of the day. In the middle, we BS'ed and I tossed cameras all over the place for future videos. :)
Make sure you check out ‪@bryanburtonphotography‬'s channel and videos, he's genuinely one of the most wonderful and kind humans I've met, and truly a superstar photographer. The video he did about 491 is here: • CRRM DRGW 491 081322
Merch: hyce.creator-spring.com/
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/ @hyce777
0:00 To the Museum!
1:56 Check on the engine first thing
3:00 Chat w/ Bryan
4:33 - COFFEE and convos
5:32 to the ashpit; 491's whistle
9:18 cleaning ashes and loading coal
12:22 Promoted to fireman; cleaning the engine out
17:03 backing up to the train
18:33 on the train and getting set up
20:02 heading down for the first run of the day
23:23 engineer training conversations
26:07 prep for first run
27:37 I fire the first run; 491 centers up
40:46 engineer training conversations 2
42:11 Hyce Engineer in a thunderstorm
52:40 Back at the shop
55:06 Get up in my GTO - and head home.

[@Lazarus7000]

Hyce: "Luxury features like heated seats were a thing on steam locomotives". Also Hyce: *loses mind over cup holders* .

[@JYDelu]

Where?

[@justat1149]

Hot damn, Hyce is even cooler than any one of us lol. ‘68 GTO, locomotive engineer, and great at guitar. Heads up guys, your girlfriends might start disappearing when old Hyce rolls into town 🤣🤣🤣

[@ColtonRMagby]

You got that right.

[@JonatanGronoset]

He already gone one iirc so I think y'alls fine.

[@Hyce777]

I am taken, though I appreciate the sentiment hahahaha

[@thatsimulatorguy]

AND a mullet Hell To The Yea

[@briannem.6787]

He is one cool man, aspire to achieve the trio of "cool car, works for rail museum, can play an instrument" personally my car of choice would be some square old station wagon, like a Volvo 740 or something japanese maybe and instrument would be a harmonica, should be easy enough. I actually own one, just can't play much on it

[@Tank245]

"WHEN DID WE GET CUPHOLDERS!?" The single most relatable phrase of all steam crews. I just wish the ones on our engines were big enough to fit something bigger than a coke can.

[@mauretaniafan1133]

A relatable phrase for anyone working involving vehicles, even.

[@trainnerd25]

we all need magnetic cupholders but when it is a wooden cab it gets interesting

[@jazzridez]

PEPSI no coke

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

@@jazzridezok, Pepsi and French fries!

[@brendanzio]

"Well y'know the carbs got four barrels, be a shame not to use them" -Hyce 2022 definitely going to quote this in the future once my project truck is running

[@michaelmurray7199]

Back when gas was like $0.33 a gallon. Three gallons for $1, instead of $3 for less than a gallon like it is today.

[@Deadbuck73]

My son always gives me crap for only using half my speedometer…

[@michaelmurray7199]

@@Deadbuck73 With great power comes great responsibility.

[@Deadbuck73]

@@michaelmurray7199 absolutely!

[@matthewpeters2062]

​@@michaelmurray7199 with great power comes many smiles

[@JonatanGronoset]

Glad you kept everything in, the chit-chat and shenanigans is part of the experience. And yes fresh pots is a must!

[@Hyce777]

I did cut a 13 minute ish segment about 346. It will be a separate video later this week probably.

[@kg-Whatthehelliseventhat]

​@@Hyce777hey Big bro, Just found your channel after watching Jakes animation. Yours came up in a recommended video. Is fresh pots from Ted? On Ted it was fresh cakes. I'll be binging your videos. Much love from Japan

[@stephenhutchinson4137]

@@Hyce777❤

[@Hyce777]

@@kg-Whatthehelliseventhat the fresh pots joke is from Dave Grohl of the foo fighters. Look up fresh pots on KZbin. :) glad you enjoy!

[@joshuadupay1285]

Poor Erick, reminds me of my first time learning how to drive a forklift with my manager watching me. Nearly sweat myself to death trying not to screw up 😆 I can't imagine trying to learn how to run one of these beasts. Great video Hyce!

[@3900Class]

I love the encouragement of the new guy. I've been learning to oil for the last 2 weeks, and I know what he's feeling on some level. Fortunately I've gotten plenty of similar encouragement, but I've also picked it up really fast too.

[@Hyce777]

Great to hear!

[@awildjared1396]

Some things just never change, Hyce is still my favorite KZbinr and 491's stomping ground is still a circle on the side of a hill, good times...

[@samgineer9857]

I don't know about you guys but EVERY TIME I drive a locomotive onto or off of a turntable, the dunks and rocking always make my heart skip a beat.

[@Spook_Boi]

The more i watch this kinda content, the more i wish i could move over to colorado and get my hands dirty with choo choo shit pits sooner lol. sadly im still not sure if ill be able, but we'll see if i do and if not, its meant to be. Also props to the trainee for keeping at it and enjoying himself

[@TheOneTrueDragonKing]

Right around the end of the chapter "on cleaning ashes and loading coal" when that backhoe was brought in I was reminded of an old video I saw called "Thunder on the Rails". Specifically the segment about Nevada Northern no. 40 when they were loading her up with coal: "Front-end loaders, shoot. That ain't no way to run a railroad!"

[@BMMEC6000]

Hyce just has that spring in his step that everyone else seems to be missing. Just the way he says “still good!” Is just so cheerful. I wish Hyce could teach me how a drive a locomotive

[@nekolivegaming]

44:00 Your reacotion when the pressure valve went was frickin glorius XD

[@burlingtoniowarailfanhomeo8368]

I'm still trying to convince my mom and dad to let me spend the night at our reunion grounds so I can help fire up a locomotive because I already wake up at 4:00 a.m. on a regular basis so getting up at 5:00 to start the engine wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing

[@noteworthy5911]

I have no words for this video other than awesome! Such a wholesome experience that I really haven't seen much of on this platform. It's a lifetime dream of mine to someday pump the bellows of a steam locomotive with a bunch of hearty lads who love their job. Until then, though, these videos are the next best thing. Good day to you Hyce :)

[@Thedragonspinner]

This is really cool I went to the museum recently, and was a very cool time, but do wish that they had the 491 pulling around the loop that day.

[@troystubby2216]

Great video! I’m Troy the concert lighting guy, we met on Sunday, and nice to chat with you. 491 is my fave steam engine. Steam is awesome. The museum is the best.

[@Hyce777]

Hey Troy! Was great to chat with ya. Glad I got to meet you!

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

Congrats on your new position there! Thanks for taking us along, that was super and I loved every minute!!!

[@RollestonRails]

very cool hyce i have always had a love for steam and its nice to see how much effort from different people goes into these massively pieces of machinery to have them run

[@thetravellinghillbillies5386]

Great video Hyce. Really enjoy the steam content and technical talk with the train getting centred etc. Would enjoy a review of GTO too, Sounds nearly as good as the 491!

[@Minecraftineer998]

You're living the life man. Im happy for you.

[@kyleroy9116]

I’ve always loved this stuff and always wondered how it every thing works, your videos are amazing and make everything make sense! Thank you! I love this!

[@cupofcoffey2752]

its good to see that you are fitting in at the new job! this video makes me want to do what you do!

[@cartermaloof4980]

Definitely would love to see more of these videos, they are fantastic.

[@wceyuki]

Here before this hits 1000 views. Thanks for this viewpoint, Hyce. A friend of mine who volunteers at a railroad museum in Florida likes this.

[@patricksheary2219]

That was one fabulous day, thanks for sharing Mark. I really liked the uncut feel of the filming and the chats. BTW, Eric is getting the best training and will for sure be a first class engineer. He did an amazing job. Also, so fab that you are related to THE Huber steam traction tractor family. I was wondering if that were the case. Again so many thanks for sharing. Ultra cool wheels too!

[@Hyce777]

Cheers Patrick again! Glad you enjoyed. Eric is doing very well.

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

A very nice video showing how things work. I plan on working on the Dollywood express in pigeon forge one day. These videos teach me a lot and I hope I’ll be sitting in the seat of one of these locomotives one day!

[@PaleWhiteMale]

That was awesome team work an seems like a great crew working through the little hiccups trainee was having. Guys make it a hell of a lot easier for him I'm sure. Everyone starts somewhere.

[@trainmaster844]

Another great behind the scenes look at the workings of CRRM and your fun life with Chooches! 👌🏼😎

[@tobyradabaugh5033]

They keep getting better and better such a fun learning experience

[@ryano.5149]

You posted this 10 years to the day after my one and only cab ride! CN 3254! What a beast!

[@Dronesword123]

Such a cool video. Keep up the great work. Would love to make it out to the Museum some day if I ever get to colorado.

[@dereksanford41]

Thanks for posting this, was playing a train sim game, surfing utube, found out about railroad online, and... been playing 4 days almost straight.. cheers

[@TwistedMinds69]

love this, its like a steam ballet, the balancing act of a locomotive, thanks for the video. always had Trains in the brain, remember the old Casey Jones tv show, it was made before i was born but still remember it, got me hook, :)

[@JonsGarage89]

Oh hell yeah, another steam engine vid and it starts with a GOAT!

[@bristolnicholson4883]

Man I gotta say, your content is really frickin neat, I love it. Keep it up

[@georgewalker1206]

Incredibly enjoyable video! Keep up the great videos

[@Timrathmore]

This was a treat to watch. Loved the whole process.

[@ethanspiegler8291]

Loving these vids Hyce

[@michaelbaranowski1075]

You are the man! Love hearing you go thru the gears in your GOAT !!!!

[@BlackBookProductions]

Awesome video, I’ll have to take a trip from omaha to Colorado to check out the museum. There is just something so magical about steam engines.

[@stephenhutchinson4137]

Amazing work hyce

[@bobbysalinas4503]

ugh ive been a train junkie sense ive been 3. and its been my life long dream to work or do anything railroad related. ive been reading about and studying trains 99% my hole life and i would do anything to have a career like you brother. i love your videos you are a good teacher and you have help me learn a lot on how these locomotives work and it pushed me more to physically make my dream happen.

[@racheljennings1688]

Loving it!

[@owenmccarthy2521]

After watching Hyce slug it out with the fire box, I can only imagine in the steam era, when the big super powered locomotives started rolling out, and some old head fireman got to “take it easy” on the run that day while the automatic stoker did all the work

[@markdennis9727]

I start volunteering at a heritage railway next weekend and I can't wait :)

[@stephensfarms7165]

Enjoyed watching the video. Thanks 🙏

[@spagelsmegal]

Thanks for the cab ride, it was wonderful

[@Hyce777]

Of course! Glad to meet you in person.

[@michaelramsey81]

You are absolutely living the dream, my friend!

[@PikaPetey]

This channel I definitely use to get my fix of steam trains. Huge fan! I sometimes fantasize about operating one. But it's far easier to watch KZbin and far less dirty.

[@Hyce777]

Glad you enjoy!

[@strasburgrailfan90]

Looks like a lot of fun working for the museum

[@CaptainS0305]

Hyce your GTO sounds amazing!!

[@alwaysbearded1]

Hyce, Great video/slice of life documentary. I hope you new job there does not keep you from the fun stuff. Since watching your other vids and this one things keep falling into place for me about how to operate a steam engine. On my way into work I've been going over what to do in my head as if I'm operating a steam engine just for fun. I only do this for my bicycling portion of my dual mode commute (auto/cycle). It is very hard because cycling so much happens so fast and of course I'm also actually riding a bicycle in traffic with people in the AM who have not had their coffee and in the evening those that are smoking something that also affects their ability to drive. It does make my daily ride more fun. Maybe I should add a whistle for signalling?

[@Hyce777]

That'd be neat :)

[@destrava1175]

I know everything is happening based on a system but it's just the nature of that old stuff it seems so hectic and I love every bit of it 😎

[@Squidy-gx6eb]

Finally a Hyce cam!

[@guyfromtma]

Pontiac GTO? Respect. I got to drive my first gen Mustang to work a few times and it was awesome, albeit a bit daunting. My kudos goes to anybody with the patience to maintain such an antique...and trust it to actually get you to your place of employment on time.

[@Hyce777]

Lol! Mine, *knocks furiously on wood*, seems relatively happy mechanically these days. I rebuilt the front suspension and steering entirely last year. Engine had work done a while back; transmission was rebuilt right before I bought it. I had the clutch linkage break last year too so I'm pretty in tune with it at this point, haha.

[@thehalotrolls7748]

Gotta love using all 4 barrels

[@Armageddon_71]

POWWAAAHHHH

[@sweetroll1723]

hey man it was nice meeting you on sunday! hope that gopro you put on the signal has some good footage on it!

[@Hyce777]

It does :) didn't fit the narrative of this video, but it will be useful for plenty in the future I'm sure! Nice to meet you as well!

[@rgsrrofnc]

Brian is AWESOME

[@greyshadow9498]

Oh man, I love that shed and that turntable, it sort of like watching Derail Valley live! Love these videos and the experience of the raw ride, awesome. I like to THINK I could operate diesel, but I don't think I could ever get my head wrapped around steam. You mentioned in the video it's like the guitar, once you learn you just know. I believe that is true, but I also think you need a degree of innate ability to be truly successful. You know both, other than the automatic responses, do you feel the train, and hear it and just know and can reach for the right valve? I am curious because a lot of the sounds to ME are just noise, but I imagine there's a subtlety to them to say "too much pressure" or "not going fast enough?" It's hard to explain from my point of view, but I know you play guitar so maybe I can put it this way: I can pick up a guitar and play just about any song I hear by ear... But I have ZERO ability to play anything outside of a song I know, I cannot string any sort of melody together on my own. With that in mind, I think of the steam engine. I feel like maybe I could learn, and with someone watching over me I could do it, because I could picture them telling me what my next move is. But on my own, I think I would fail because there is nothing to guide me. Doesn that make ANY sense?

[@Hyce777]

It does; steam is much more feedback related than anything else and learning to listen. It's like learning guitar and listening for notes in chords that you accidentally muted and then making an adjustment, more or less.

[@greyshadow9498]

@@Hyce777 Physical feedback? That would make sense! I hadn't considered that as an "armchair engineer" because it's not an experience that I get to have. Physical, auditory and visual feedback seem like it would overwhelm me. Thank you for the insight, and for the videos, they are very helpful!

[@caelumvaldovinos5318]

Yas to the photo charter vids!

[@bjrnfrederiksson2505]

Great video, one of the older ones but hey it's awesome and absolutely great to watch 🙏🏻 Erik was new back then I guess, what has happened to the young chap lately!

[@Hyce777]

Erik is still training as engineer, but he's a kickass fireman. :)

[@bjrnfrederiksson2505]

@@Hyce777 good too hear. He's a good chap.

[@howardstamper99]

I applaud your choice of vehicles very nice also greatly enjoy your videos very informative

[@springof-wf8vy]

💞💞💞491🚂💨💨💞💞💞great video thanks for the ride Sir . hello from Texas

[@robertstacey1700]

Its crazy. After watching your video on 10 levels of understanding of a steam locomotive, as I watch this one as it is driven out of the gauge, I don't look at the moving parts such as the arms the same as I did before. Especially now that I understand what the intricate parts are doing in order to make it go forward or backward.

[@Hyce777]

I'm glad that I was able to help you see the locomotive more in depth!

[@robertstacey1700]

@@Hyce777 Also this video did help answer my question in my response with regard to your video on getting a locomotive up and running from a cold start. I asked about the fireman and whether he had to shovel coal in fact when a steam is having to run across the country in order to make good time.

[@boxcarthehusky420]

These videos are awesome

[@Super.sonicpower]

I wish you would make more of these videos I love seeing how driving a train works

[@FaleciaDabbin]

I love how hyce just "The ding ding is ding dinging!"

[@Alphawolf2325]

I wish I could have a job on a steam railroad haha. Stuff like this always makes me refer back to my old enginemans manual

[@TrainBandit]

I like how you use nock on wood a lot and now I finally understand why the inside of a steam train cab is wood lol

[@groundtruth4442]

This the coolest content I have ever seen.

[@Hyce777]

Glad you think so!

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

I paused about 15 minutes in. That little retractable awning is cool. I love seeing stuff on old railroad stuff that are overlooked. Those little awnings probaly avoided alot of collisions or hitting obstacles they would otherwise not see with sun glareing in thier eyes. People forget they didn't have gas station sun glasses. Why ya think they invented the hat? To keep sun out of the eyes. (Lareger hats like 10xgallon cowboy hats and Southern American sombreros are for shading your self while working outside in fields and pastures like an umbrella.

[@Hyce777]

It is a neat, but not talked about much feature! If they're extended the engine doesn't fit into the shop, lol. Gotta have them up when going in. Very nice while running.

[@kellingc]

Woe! That dynamo is loud!

[@Nareimooncatt]

26:00 "It's a Canon DSLR, that'll burn nicely." Me, a Pentax user: You got my attention. XD

[@M.R.Flanagan]

Excellent Video Mark! Question for you, I'm surprised you guys don't bank the engine at night to help keep it some what hot for when you come in the next morning, any reason for not doing that method?

[@cooscountyrailvideos2024]

8:20 I’ve never in my life heard a steam locomotive have a skipping bell. I love that.

[@GordonGaz]

Thank you for being amazing

[@cheryljohnsen7612]

AWESOME thanks for the train ride

[@joelvale3887]

Congrats on you new job.

[@michgeeson278]

Yeah, thank you for sharing that, after the week we've all just had its nice to see dragons at work

[@drdarwinator]

Even if you gotta wake up at 5am, it’s 100% worth it. Especially when you get to drive a classic car 👍. Awesome job dude. Also I vote Bryan to document the charter👍. Quick question: Did anybody ever accidentally hit the side of the tender when loading the coal with the backhoe?

[@Hyce777]

Not that I've seen.

[@francescoferrigno2339]

Awesome video as always hyce! Wondering if there is an oil fired loco there? If there is could it be possible to have a steaming up video???

[@Hyce777]

Not one that runs! Haha. I will hopefully be able to film an oil burner doing that sometime.

[@idcanthony9286]

So, I have been a military aircraft mechanic for a 11yrs now... I know I have bad hearing and always wear hearing protection or double hearing-pro. I cannot imagine you hearing very well after a day of working in the engine. I remember flying 16hrs in C-130s and my head would be killing me from the sounds and vibrations. Again, I can not imagine how it would feel to take a steam train cross country.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

Love the video Hyce! This was awesome. Unrelated-if you’ve ever looked at that UP coach, how is it mechanically? What about the Navajo?

[@Hyce777]

Haven't looked at the mechanics on any of the coaches; the interior of the coach and UP diner are brilliant and we use them for events. The Navajo, is unfortunately entirely stripped in the interior. Just a shell.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

@@Hyce777 Thanks Hyce, really appreciate the info. If it is ever decided that the Navajo is not necessary at the museum, please keep SCRM in mind. It would fit quite well with our restored FP45.

[@brootheboomer]

Such a pretty car. Love the old v8 growl.

[@ColtonRMagby]

If I ever drive a classic vehicle, it'll probably be the 1966 Chevrolet Bel Air or 1968 Ford F-100 Ranger that we have. They both need work, but the Ford will be more fun because it'll probably get a small block V8 with Edelbrock parts to help make it better at catching up to people who do something stupid. I'd be catching up so I know the license plate is on dashcam, even if the camera got it the first time.

[@easterntennesseelivesteame4796]

You are living my dream sir. If I could move to Colorado I would

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

Beautiful locomotives. I was at Strausburg the other day and they were getting the Percy Dummy all lubed up and had the Thomas in the steam shop it's a real coal-fired self powered saddle tank locomotive they modified. Sadly from 1 of 3 of the only remaining types of that class of saddle tank locomotives. But they have 1 on display in the PA Railroad museum and the other in storage/parts yard. But from what i was told it is the only "self powered" Thomas replica.

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

Did some research from another local Strausburg guys video. Thomas was originally a 060T's dockside stwitcher aka a porter engine. Actually Porter from the island of sodor is a depiction of the engine the strausburg Thomas was originally. (Talk about a makeover) Thomas was Brooklyn eastern district terminal porter engine #15 built in 1917 for H K Porter Co. Alot of these engines though reliable were scrapped in 1963. In 1965 #15 was purchased by southern Appalachia railway museum where it was forgotten. In 1975 Lake Erie and Western RR where it was displayed on a sideing. And on May 9th 1998 it was purchased by the strausburg railroad. And restored to working order in the early 2000s. Then given a very creepy face. then after funding replaced it with the familiar face we see today. Strausburg owns 3 operating steam locomotives they use for museum and even local freight services they still do with steam and vintage rolling stock to local businesses in tonnage. Cool history the train station in paradise PA at the end of the strausburg line where it meets the amtrack line behind the granite counter top company is where Abraham Lincoln made his speach at on his way to the White house.

[@Zoeymacelroy0811]

Love the Choo Choo content, but I need a video on the GTO

[@Hyce777]

We can make that happen.

[@tylerpelkey3462]

love the loco and the car

[@Cragified]

Man I wish Railroad online had all these sounds for the engines that where actually synced to load and speed. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. So rarely is the sound of a steam locomotive properly conveyed.

[@300poundbassman]

Your a descendant of the Huber Tractor co? Wicked we have a Threshermans show at the end of the month. Love tractors. Traction engines and all things related. Be safe. You rock working the 491. Later

[@Hyce777]

Yup! Direct descendant. Edward Huber is my great-great-great-grandfather :)

[@zakksrage]

Sheesh. Hyce is doing it big. 1968 GTO. Never would have guessed that hahaha. I pictured a Honda Fit

[@Hyce777]

I used to have a Honda civic, but I sold it last year when car prices were ridiculous. GTO is all I've got. It looks better in videos than it really is. Lol

[@erikevenson4303]

i would love to see some drone shots in this; the view would be amazing!

[@BMMEC6000]

Damn Hyce! A 68 GTO! Nice man!

[@hdjksa52]

Cheese & Rice, guys I wish you guys were in Brooklyn, New York. I would of loved to work with you guys. This job is cool!

[@benhawkins4245]

Watching the trainee guy have to use his foot to get the reverser forwards is brilliant

[@Cubsfan_75]

491's got aa bot of an atidude lol love that ole loco

[@averagepokemonfan5510]

I would like to say that Hyce is a sort of a parental/inspirational figure to us all, also i liked the part when Hyces says " Safety first even in 1968 kids" and at 7:33 why is there a saddle tank locomotive at the museum?

[@Hyce777]

We have a few! They're on display.

[@averagepokemonfan5510]

@@Hyce777 Huh, i never knew the museum had saddle tank locomotives next summer i have to go and see them.

[@Midwest_Gaming_Express]

HOT DAM that car is FIRE