Working on a Steam Locomotive [4K]

•This video shows various points of work that goes into running a steam locomotive every day.
•The locomotive seen in the video is Denver and Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) mikado (2-8-2) #491, one of the largest narrow gauge locomotives ever created. It now runs at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado. It has ~37,100 pounds of tractive effort, and weighs ~150 tons or ~302,000 pounds. It was built in 1928 by the D&RGW Burnham shops in Denver, Colorado using the boiler off of a standard gauge D&RGW 2-8-0. #491 is a pristine example of a locomotive perfectly suited for rugged, mountain climbing work.
•Copyright 2017 Jeff Berrier All Rights Reserved

[@JeffBerrier]

*_New videos are in the works!_* Sorry it has taken so long, but this has been a very busy year for me so far! *_An Update:_* • In January, _The Walt Disney Company_ found me and presented an offer I could not decline to join their roundhouse crew that takes care of the 5 steam locomotives as well as the steamboat at Disneyland. • The roundhouse at Disneyland is very much so off limits to the public so creating videos there is not permitted (as of right now). • I travel back home (Colorado) very frequently to help out as well as do contract work with the various railroads in the state (Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado Railroad Museum, etc.). • During these trips to work on the locomotives out in Colorado, I come up with new ideas for videos and collect all the footage I can to create them. Thanks for everyone's patience and new videos will be out very soon! -Jeff Berrier For more content from me, see my Instagram: instagram.com/denver_and_rio_grande_western/?hl=en Or my new FaceBook page: facebook.com/JeffryPBerrier/

[@sundevil0271]

Excellent--congratulations on your new job and thanks for sharing such fantastic videos. I have watched them several times--enjoying every minute!

[@korkunge]

You have a verry COOL JOB! my man!

[@MasterBear2]

Congratulations!! It is evident that you are fulfilling a lifelong dream! Your work with steam locomotives is one of the ways to preserve that chapter of American transportation history. With your contract work, and the work at Disney, it is evident that you are very good in what you do! Maybe we should also bestowed upon you the title of “Traveling Engineer.” May your job give you great success and happiness!

[@jerryhayesii1216]

Thats a nice looking shay

[@racrx7]

You gotta do what’s best for you, but leave it to Disney to prohibit any video taking that in somehow doesn’t make them $$$$. Best wishes!👍🏻

[@YoungHeartedSoul]

Such a complex machine for it's day. Today we may have more complex machines like an airplane but that doesnt require mechanical labor like running one of these great huge mechanical marvels, hats off to you. love your videos. they are so well detailed and informative. Thomas the train has my full respect now too.

[@ad356]

airplanes and steam locomotives were still being developed at the same time. steam wasnt phased out until the early 1950's

[@jassheen5318]

I love that you captioned details of what you're doing in your videos. They've totally demystified steam locomotives for me. I've learned so much. Thanks and keep them coming!

[@Big_John_C]

I can see why my dad and grandfather's loved being engineers, thanks for your dedication in preserving those pieces of history. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@HobbyOrganist]

My maternal grandfather "Cap" Kelly ran a steam locomotive for the Long Island RR, and then the first diesel that replaced them

[@Poppi2006]

Thank you Jeff for the videos. My dad started as a fireman on steam locomotives in the late 1930’s. By the time I came along, he was an engineer. Eventually, the company phased in diesel. I am happy to say that I was the son of a locomotive engineer and proud of it. Now, to binge watch your channel. Earl

[@racrx7]

Like feeding and watering a giant pet! Thanks for your efforts in providing and educating us from a era past👍🏻🇺🇸

[@jaysonflesher8666]

I used to work a preserved railroad here in the UK it is great fun working with machines similar to this

[@manuelkong10]

I think this isn't just a JOB for you....this is Really a labor of Love.

[@dixieboy5689]

>> 38:30 : I loved the warm welcome to the engineer from the townsfolk as he headed through the station area. !!

[@ianpatrickmchugh787]

Your videos are absolutely the best of their kind that I've ever seen on KZbin! It's the kind of thing I've been searching for years for. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to make them!

[@sinclairopaline]

Thanks for ALL the videos,without your trouble to set the camera Everywhere we would not get to see this awsome stuff sitting clean behind the iPad. To me ,impatient as I am at work like this, it’s so much trouble to work, weld , grind,build, much less moving a camera and narrating. So thank you for showing us this awsome steam machinery of a time past . Without guys like you it will be lost. The malineals of today will never appreciate this or ever care about STEAM. I LUV THIS STUFF WADE, IN Louisiana

[@sinclairopaline]

Another thought, it’s not just a machine, it’s a living thing. One has to care about it as you do,wipe it with oil to prevent rust, like lotion on our hands and body. This shows an attitude that people are losing. Most workers are just there for a check. You show a great quality as an engineer, patient ,caring ,climbing all over that engine. Good man! Wade

[@pbr2805]

It is exciting watching him play with the adjustable wrenches!

[@davidsprofitt]

As far as hands-on jobs go, you have a good one. What a rare experience to be able to see a true steam engine up close, let alone work on one. I'm sure you have several jealous viewers.

[@stamrly418]

Wonderful display of people who care and know what they are doing. The behind the scenes view of what goes on before the passengers are seen and board the train. Lovely video, showing a steam loco in all glory, rust leaks and steam just as they are, a working beast. The fireman working round the firebox with coal before starting put me back on a footplate and had my hand twitching to have a shovel in my hand once more. Great work all round. Amacf

[@josegarzon1756]

St A & M Rly ii

[@lukesplanet]

This is awesome. Working on 1800s locomotives while recording and sharing content with modern technology.

[@MrDamonviolette]

I visited a train museum in Portland that restores trains just last week, it’s was super cool. Keep up the good work people

[@Beaver-1]

Awesome stuff Jeff. Thanks again for giving us a glimpse into your work. 👍

[@Mrcrowntown]

Ive worked on steam tractors before, but always envied working on a steam loco.

[@bw4t]

I've much enjoyed your videos, Jeff. They bring back great memories of running ex-Florida East Coast #113 in Miami, Florida during the late 80s/early 90s. 113 was a light Pacific, oil-fired, and was very much my "baby." Absolutely loved that engine! Alas, unless some munificent benefactor comes along, she'll never run again. Requires a major rebuild, including a new firebox and new tires. Someday I hope to have a chance to run a steamer again. Watching you and seeing the cab, I can STILL feel my hand on the throttle and brakestand, and all the little (but important) things that must be remembered when running, like keeping an occasional eye on the hydrostat, and opening the cylinder cocks once in a while. And knowing that the blowdown is a very effective means of extinguishing a small trackside wildfire that thank goodness was on the same side of the engine as the blowdowns! Passengers got quite a show that day.

[@joseleoneldamasceno2075]

being next to a steam locomotive is the maximum! working on your maintenance is for few good work at all

[@AEXRT65]

I like the petrol lamp inside the cabin...❤️❤️❤️ This video is living history. Thanks. you make me feel so good watch this video.

[@jandejong6498]

Jeff: give my compliments also for the person who made this video!!

[@DeltaCL]

Just recently discovered your videos and enjoy them very much. A dream come true, really! I grew up in Durango in the 60s. My friend and I would ride our bikes down to the roundhouse to see the locomotives (all K-28s at that time as I remember). Now, as a mechanical/aero engineer, I really appreciate seeing your videos on the inner workings of my beloved D&RGW engines. So cool! I love the cab ride videos as well. My brother and I plan on riding the Cumbres Toltec this summer. I've never been there to see it in person. Keep the videos coming and congratulations on your Disneyland gig.

[@F-Man]

Absolutely tremendous. Brilliant. Astonishing. Your work and that locomotive are certified superlative generators!

[@jandejong6498]

Before I forget: HAPPY NEWYEAR,Jeff, also for all the crew-members!!

[@kevp9601]

WHAT CAN I SAY, HAVING THE AMERICAN STEAM TRAIN ENGINEER JOB REALLY IS FOR EVERYONE OF AMERICA!!!! AND WE LOVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

[@SpaceBuckaroo]

Outstanding. It's not as easy as people might think.

[@dixieboy5689]

What an incredibly filmed video. Excellent in all regards. Im a train nut , so this is right up my alley. Thx. I was enthralled by it all. respect from MAINE USA .

[@user-zz3tt7xq9s]

This is where engineers and repairmen get very good practice.

[@Ruxor7950]

I don't know if you'll see this comment but, if you do, I just wanted to tell you this. I'm a pretty frequent visitor at Disneyland and I've seen you and another roundhouse crew member running Ernest S. Marsh (my favorite locomotive) occasionally. You guys seriously put on quite a show and demonstrate how a locomotive should truly be run. Its awesome to see such a love and passion for steam power that it has rubbed of onto me. Starting in October, I'm going to start volunteering to do maintenance on Ventura County Railway #2 at the Orange Empire Railway Museum.

[@hoophil]

Wow what a great video Jeff! Thanks for sharing with us!!

[@no23mk2]

Great work and great footage. Thank you.

[@brentloftis3746]

Keep your videos coming. This is a lot of fun to watch. Thanks for taking the time.

[@williamsantangelo]

You guys are the best PJLINY! THANK YOU!

[@interactii]

I really enjoy these videos, Jeff. I quite like the title-based narration too. Feels like you are right there in the shop watching.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Yeah the best part of NOT having some silly voice narration OR stupid music track!!! Ok, so who can identify what the levers do? I think I figured out the long horizontal one is the throttle, and maybe the tall vertical lever is the brake, but what about the two smaller brass levers to his left that he opened and shut?

[@connorkilpatrick6283]

@@HobbyOrganist tall lever is the gears-forward back- and the two small ones are the brakes. Sorry for being 4 years late.

[@davidgriffeth4912]

You sir are a professional. I hope you make a good living doing this. I would trust my safety to your good hands. This video put a smile on my face And I wish they would bring back steam locomotives on a limited basis. They are feats of engineering and there is a beauty in their ruggedness.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

This. Was. Glorious. ...and I was thinking about the people that had to have performed a full-on F.R.A. Certified restoration. Mad Skilz, labors of love.

[@christianevangelista]

Thank you for another amazing video! Happy holidays and have a great 2018! Hope to see more!

[@Hailexx]

Got into this channel from your starting up the train video, this is another great one to watch. Thank you for this!

[@tom7601]

Fantastic video, thank you!

[@pitatutube]

Very interesting video of all works that have to be done to run a steam locomotive. Descriptions, camera work and cut are perfect, thank you. You are a very young team running this aged engine ;-) Thank you for preserving and running this relict of a important phase of our engineering history.

[@slehar]

Wow! Excellent video. Great history. Like re-living it all over again.

[@jcblll45]

Jeff, I have watched & enjoyed all 3 of your videos hopefully, there are many more to come. I especially enjoy your shooting and editing technique.

[@PowerTrain611]

Great video! Love your series. Visited the CRRM last summer with my dad and saw 491 under steam on display that day. I would like to see a video about putting the engine to bed for the night, I've wondered how that's done. I've heard of a few methods (banking the fire, capping the stack, "breaking" the injectors, etc.), but would like to see how you guys do it. Keep up the great work, Jeff! Cheers from Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

[@mochs3869]

I'd love to see this too, as well as what has to be done to take her down all the way cold.

[@gp3yt]

Awesome Jeff - I enjoy these videos! So funny, just as I was thinking to myself "man if that were me I'd take some oil and a rag and wipe down the rods...then, lo and behold at 10:05/06!! Nice to know I'm of the same mind as the guys I look up to.

[@P61guy61]

Great video for those who can only dream. Thanks for posting.

[@nearjet]

Another great video Jeff! Definitely a beast from the Good Ole Days! Merry Christmas!!

[@semidemiurge]

You really captured it. well done

[@chuckneal6128]

Great video! Awesome to see a K37 live on.

[@Steven-vo8tk]

Thank you for a great video. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@marionforge2769]

Thanks for the videos. Very astonishing

[@lorrainedimmock4096]

Very atmospheric and informative video, great stuff.!

[@j.michaelpriester8973]

Zen and the Art of Steam Locomotive Maintenance

[@sjrr124]

Thanks again for another great video!

[@crazyhorsetrading8655]

once again a fantastic video. Thank you

[@chucksandos8939]

Very well work, thank you!

[@YVO007]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Good work.... YVO

[@gandanglily1]

love what you get to do buddy, living the dream

[@dave7834]

Jeff, Thanks again for the nice video. Keep going!!

[@jamiehumphrey2587]

Amazing video man!!

[@donengland9140]

Hey, we need more videos! Excellent work!

[@bigskyguy1611]

Fascinating video series. Very cool and great to see young people doing this work to preserve the history and knowledge.

[@allamakee1397]

Excellent Camera work -- editing is wonderful. So much can be learned from your filming skills.

[@jandejong6498]

Dear Jeff! Of course i could write a whole story about your videos; but i say: AMAZING!!! greetings from Holland.

[@TrainsWow]

Awesome video!

[@ebtmikado]

Another good, and informative one.

[@jamescarew682]

Fascinating video, excellent photography and content. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing.

[@paulw4310]

I just found your videos. Fantastic! I'm an airline pilot but I've always secretly dreamed of being a train engineer...steam only of course! Thanks for your great videos and to your devotion to these great machines!

[@ayensdreamer541]

so good to see a man who truly works and cares about the machinery it is the old way I have a million questions but only two I will ask is this your favorite ? do you have names for the engines ?

[@sgdummy]

Thanks for sharing. It's a lot easier to understand now why engineer used to be such a dream job.

[@dezertraider]

Thank you Jeff,I was confused thinking the push rods where stainless steel,I cant believe the amount of work you do to fool a old man in thinking they are not SS.LOL.Very cool..Ty73s

[@kroghsmachineshop4708]

Really really interesting, enjoyed every minute of it and only the music from the train, great 👍😊

[@cavemanballistics6338]

That young man knows how to operate that locomotive!

[@3superpar]

Looks too young to know how to operate a locomotive, must have had a really good teacher.

[@wetdedstuocm]

First time here and this was very good..I have some catching up to do..Merry Christmas..

[@mrkongsimr]

Thank you . Clever ,strong and a handsome guy you are !!!

[@ayensdreamer541]

thank you great job

[@james8156]

Wonderful videos!!!!

[@anjinsan2052]

Fantastic job, Jeff! All three videos are outstanding. The photography and editing is excellent as is the depth of the content, showing the grit and grime of these magnificent beasts and the herculean effort necessary to make them run. If only you could include the heat and smell, too. My only gripe is with youtube itself and the placement of their stupid ads over your text. Nice work.

[@debrajsays]

Awesome Stuff !!!!

[@PilotSpOB]

Keep em up!

[@allenhughes12]

You are awesome!

[@wkjeeping9053]

You have it easy for a fireman. I had wipe down the whole loco before oiling and greasing, while the fire was started. Also had to clean the smoke box once a month and Firefox cleaned of clunkers before starting a fire

[@Calou-Calou]

Un grand merci pour le partage de cette très belle vidéo qui est très intéressante . Vivement une prochaine vidéo . Encore merci. ( À big thank you for sharing this very beautiful video very interresting...eagerly a next video. Thanks again ) 👌👍

[@justtim9767]

Another silent video, nice.

[@SuperAWaC]

this is my dream job

[@jameskinglion]

thanks for sharing I work on the 4-8-4 #261 I my work is mostly on the passengers cars

[@Welshman2008]

@Jeff Berrier what oil do you use on the rods? when I've done that on my loco in the UK I've used paraffin and oil mix

[@scottjohnson6563]

Interesting to view, family worked on the Wabash line after the Civil War.

[@Degrizai]

Потрясающая работа :D

[@superheterodi]

felicitats un gran video / congratulations a great video! ;-)

[@pantherplatform]

Those adjustable wrenches you were using look like the tools the guy at jiffy lube used on my 2018 BMW 750. That's probably why the light is on.

[@JWitt30]

How did you learn so much of this at the age you are, it's pretty extraordinary.

[@ezequielsantos.ezequielmot8905]

👏👏👏👏👏👏very cool.

[@enjoyinsanity7065]

How can you tell when you've fully blown down the air compressors?

[@ronaldcamacho9458]

👍🏻👍🏻😊😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️. Good video. Very very good.

[@VT29steamtrain]

I just love being on the footplate.

[@jdgfilms9595]

My Dads Great Great Grandfather work on the Colorado & southern narrow gauge Railroad

[@LeoStarrenburg]

What does the engineer operate near the cab roof before and after a run, the head/backup light ?

[@timmayer8723]

You seem to what is happening, when and where. GREAT VIDEO?

[@modesttea7133]

When’s the next video I love your channel and I can’t wait for a new video