Yellowstone, Monster Locomotive on the Western Rails

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This video describes the need and development of the 2-8-8-4 "Yellowstone" articulated heavy freight locomotive. And the four major railroads that used them. The Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range, and the B&O Railroad. The video features specifications for each class of Yellowstone used by these railroads and features dozens of rare photos of each type of Yellowstone Locomotive used within these specific railroads.

[@FourMaxK1]

Thank you for the detailed information, much more interesting to me than many other videos. Keep it up.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Thanks, will do!

[@Wis.Steamjunkie]

The Duluth Transportation Museum has a nice display of DM&IR Yellowstone #227. It is mounted on rollers and you can push a button to have it run in place so that you can see the running gear in motion.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

That's really, really cool!

[@paulwebber1657]

Incredible how fast they were built

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Indeed!

[@HenryGengler]

The DM&IR are just the best looking Yellowstones around

[@garryferrington811]

The EM-1's were pretty nice.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Yeah pretty nice looking Yellowstone indeed! Thanks for the comment!

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Yes they were!

[@chiconian49]

I have been inside the cab of the SP 4294 at the California State RR Museum in Sacramento CA. Walking around it is like standing next to a blue whale.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Yes! I have been there myself and did the same. They are a unique site to behold. I had a lot of fun while there.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Everyone makes videos and talks about the "Big-boy" and "Allegheny" so it wasn't until the last few weeks that this engine caught my attention. And I have been watching steam engine videos for years so I don't understand how it evaded me for so long being one of the big 3.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Always something we missed! I still encounter this myself.

[@THOMAS81Z]

gotta love the 2-8-8-4 yellowstones

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Really, you do. The father so to speak of what was to come. As mentioned above, one of the No' Pa's should have been preserved as a historic piece. Loco's like the Big Boy get all of the fame... But the genesis started right here IMO.

[@greatnorthernn-3154]

@@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower The Northern Pacific Z-5's came in about 1927 and were a result of NP's observing the Great Northern's R-1 class of 2-8-8-2's. The R-1's were the biggest loco in the world in 1925 and GN kept the wheelbase short so they would work on the existing turntables used by their N class 2-8-8-0's. Because of the booster axle the Z-5 bested the tractive effort of the R-1's but not by much.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Oh no doubt I am sure the NP did their due diligence with existing motive power before they went to ALCO. That beyond with what they did with West Pac's 2-8-8-2's.

[@VnTCliffy]

A fantastic history of the giant locos of the US. Thanks so much!

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Many thanks!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Fantastic video thanks for the video and history on the Yellowstone locomotives never knew their was a Yellowstone locomotive

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

There were so many railroads back in the day... It's very easy to miss something like this. You can spend a few years studying these things and still not know half of what there is to know. And that's just with the type of locomotives in this country.. Let alone internationally... And then there is the mechanics behind them all and the why's... It's wayyy more than someone might think otherwise. In many way's Steam Locomotives are like warships in this regard.

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Thanks for the information on this locomotives it history of the Yellowstone locomotives I just wish railroads wouldn't just scrap the locomotives out it destroying locomotive history

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

The U.S. Navy made the biggest blunder of all in regard to your comment.. Scrapping the Enterprise CV-6 carrier. And absolutely, one of the Northern Pacific's Yellowstone's should have been preserved. IMO they were the true origin of what was to become Big Boy, the Y6B ... ETC...

[@garryferrington811]

Railroads aren't in the museum business. Grow up.

[@richardmcmillan5534]

Old steam engines were scrapped because they had outlived their usefulness and no-one wanted them. It is a bit like old cars. They went to the wreckers because they had outlived their usefulness. Now. We look back with nostalgia to simpler times

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

@@richardmcmillan5534 There is just a fundamental failure of recognizing historical value. Yellowstone was a game changer and one of the originals should have been preserved.

[@davidmaki542]

I know personally that there is a Yellowstone on static display in Two Harbours MN. I thought at first it was a Big Boy but started to notice differences. After careful study I can definitely state, that the locomotive in Two Harbours, is a Yellowstone.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

The Yellowstone type 2-8-8-4 engines are among some of my personal favorite types of articulated steam power, both the Northern Pacific and DM&IR "Yellowstone" classes are ranked as being among some of the largest examples of articulated steam locomotives. I am glad that the DM&IR preserved 3 of their Yellowstone type engines for public display observation, it's a true shame however that none of the Northern Pacific z5 class locomotives were preserved for display. The Northern Pacific railroad was the first railroad to own a Yellowstone (2-8-8-4) type locomotive and the fact that all 12 of the NP engines were scrapped is extremely disappointing.

[@Shane_Geiger]

Fun little fact about the Missabes Yellow stones there’s no record of them ever slipping a driver! They can easily out pull a big boy but their max speed was only 40 mph so at speed big boy would have the advantage.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

I had not seen that spoken about them.. Interesting tidbit!

[@earllutz2663]

A great history of the behemoth or Giant Locos. As I said in your other video that describes the wreck/blow up of that Allegany. I am a fan of the Allegany, but the cab forward (4 8 8 2 ) very much intrigued me. I think that your research and narrative are outstanding. If you haven't already done an exclusive on the (4 8 8 2) cab forward, would you do one please.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

I had another commentor who loves the cab forwards as well. There are a couple of story lines that I could do in such a video on the Cab's. The trick for me would be to make it catchy enough. Like on the thumbnail, write a caption that say's "The Story of the Yellowstone Cab Forward" bwahaha! Ruffle some feathers, because half do not believe a cab forward is a Yellowstone. 👿

[@alexanderpritchyk3490]

One of my favorites of all time thanks for the video

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrisloomis1489]

What AMERICANS can build if we want to Great and Big machines. Beautiful 🇺🇸

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

As demonstrated in WWII, American industry can, at will, build anything that's needed. Yellowstone and all of the other locomotives were the backbone of moving these wartime outputs. Thank you for the comment!

[@pacificostudios]

The thumbnail is of a Southern Pacific 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward. Only a Yellowstone in terms of boiler length. A photo of a Missabe Yellowstone or one of the original Northern Pacific Z-5 class would have been more accurate. Of course, had the NP engines been built to burn bituminous coal or fuel oil, they probably would have been 2-8-8-2, like the R-2 engines on the Great Northern that were also outshopped around 1930. No need for the extra weight of a larger firebox and four-wheel trailing truck. The GN R-2s provided much more tractive effort than the NP's Z-5 class, more than 162,000 pounds, despite having one less axle, and without the complication of the Z-5's booster engined-trailing truck. That much tractive effort would have been useful on the climb to Marias Pass. There is a beautiful DMIR 2-8-8-4 in the Duluth, MN railroad museum. It sits on rollers so you can watch the entire mechanism move.

[@anotherHelldiver]

The cab forward is basically a backwards Yellowstone.

[@cierrarounds353]

Cab forwards are widely considered to be in the Yellowstone family and are spoken about in part 2 of the video. DM & I R part 3. Northern Pacific needed and wanted a larger engineering cab that was truly all season, especially against the bitter cold of the Great plains winter. It necessitated a four wheel bogey by itself for stability. So, no, I disagree with the notion that this could have been done with a 2-8-8-2.. Otherwise NP isnt shopping for a 2-8-8-4 to begin with.

[@pacificostudios]

@@anotherHelldiver Not really. The four wheel truck under the firebox acts as a pilot truck like on a 4-8-4, guiding the machine into curves, while the two-wheel truck served to support a platform known as "the monkey deck" that allowed crews to service the smokebox-mounted air pumps. The SP Cab Forwards traveled far beyond the Donner Pass tracks for which they were originally built. I've seen a photo of one in Los Angeles, so they must have worked Tehachapi Pass, too.

[@mamarussellthepie3995]

​@@pacificostudiosYes, they traversed almost all of the SP system, maybe besides ssw/chicago as much, or if at all, but they were practically everywhere and pulled basically every load 😊

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Yes! The Southern Pacific basically reversed the Yellowstone design to meet specific needs... Keeping the engineers from being gassed out in the tunnel systems.

[@mrsrmp]

Why use an "cab forward" on the ad of the vídeo instead of an "Yellowstone"? 🤔

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Its been answered already

[@donferrie4070]

@@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPowerignorance

[@williamdenbeste9703]

Why do you have an SP 4-8-8-4 Cab-forward as the KZbin Picture instead of a Yellowstone?

[@jaedenlyons]

4-8-8-2

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Because it's widely considered to be part of the Yellowstone family of locomotives. And it's talked about in the video. It is also one of the most unique designs in steam locomotive history, worldwide, not just here in the states.

[@alcopower5710]

@@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPowerthe cab forward is my favorite steam locomotive ever. Thanks for including in your video 👍

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

@@alcopower5710 it is indeed part of the Yellowstone family so there was no reason not to include it in this particular video. Im not really up on international steam, so I may be wrong here.. But I dont think there is another locomotive like it ever produced. I think there is enough of a story here to give it it's own video as well.

[@alcopower5710]

@@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower even though it is indeed part of the Yellowstone family it is often overlooked. I agree agree it would make a great video.

[@ArantiusVulpes]

what about the one at henry ford museum in dearborn mi

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

I try to mention at least a couple places where one can see a preserved unit. The Ford one I did not mention.. However... I have a new video releasing in a couple of hours that I do mention the Ford Museum. It's probably my best video as well.. Check it out! Yellowstone Locomotives are pretty awesome though! Thanks for the comment!

[@adollarshort1573]

The locomotive at the Ford museum is an Allegany. It is absolutely awesome to see! I heard they had to demo part of the opening in the building to move it inside.

[@DO_NOT_HUMP]

Loved the video, but just wanted to mention that you left out the Soviet and Brazilian yellowstones.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

The channel only cover North America. Frankly im not at all qualified to speak about other nations within the topic. Thank you for the comment!

[@1chuck96]

Nice enough stuff here, (aside of the tic-tock communistic stuff children / kids watch today). Keep it coming Brother. !! One doesn't hear much about these fine locomotives.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Just doin my part in trying to keep a worthwhile legacy going. Well do! Thank you!

[@user-cw9qn1nb2n]

Installing roller bearings cannot in any way increase the tractive effort of a locomotive. It may contribute to less required maintenance, but does not make an engine more powerful.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

No, but increasing stability and lessening friction does indirectly.

[@mamarussellthepie3995]

Ah yes. . . You mean the *"Enotswolley"* 😅

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Well, if you will.. I suppose a cab forward would be factored in under such a sequence. I obviously did not make that distinction on my own... But I can accept the integer in order to classify the locomotive.

[@mamarussellthepie3995]

@TheRailroadCrossing-wc5gx No worries, friend! 😁

[@robertgift]

Well done, informative video! Thank you. Amazing that morons scrapped everYellowstone. Were railroadso poor thathey could not afford to keep even one?

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Im looking at individual railroad valuations from the steam era to see just what happened to the hundreds of railroads once dieselization took hold... All of the bankruptcies and mergers and such. And do a future video. Back then, museum pieces and preservation weren't really considered and often when it was, not enough money could be raised to save something.

[@garryferrington811]

Railroads weren't in the museum business. And why is it British people could club together and buy locomotives and Americans - who were much richer - couldn't be bothered?

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Sadly, neither was the U.S. Navy at the time. Shoot, let's just say America. I've often wondered about your question myself.

[@sanjursan]

That's L(eye)ma, not L(eee)ma. In Lima, Ohio.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Yes, i know, it was corrected in later video's. Thanks for the comment

[@robertrussell2166]

The Cab Forwards are not yellowstones.

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Well, because you say so does not mean that it isn't either, right? I'll go with the publications that link the cab forward to the Yellowstone. Thanks for the comment!

[@garryferrington811]

Backward yellowstones.

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Thanks but your HUGE subscribe now was most annoying, ruining the video story and pictures..

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

Im many things, but an expert KZbinr I am not. I only learn what works and what doesnt through the comments.

[@tomrogers9467]

And every two minutes, too! I’m done.

[@jacobrudder7582]

While a tad on the frequent side, the notifications barely last a second or two and to say they downright “ruin” the video is, in my eyes, quite ridiculous. I think people need to stop being so touchy and sensitive and just learn to appreciate a quality video that they are getting for free and didn’t have to contribute a lick to!

[@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower]

@@jacobrudder7582 I truly appreciate the sentiment. I was, and am very new to KZbin type formatting. What works and what doesn't..ETC. So, I get a little bit better as each video is released. As you go to each, you'll notice tweaks in the setup that I made. Ditching the AI dubbing, Intro simplified, better video thumnails..etc. :) And thank you for liking the content that I present! It really means a lot to me.

[@jacobrudder7582]

@@TheRailroadCrossing-SteamPower I can’t begin to imagine how much of a learning curve it is! I hope comments like the above don’t impact you too negatively. I personally feel your videos only continue to improve, and constitute some of the best researched, put-together, and presented content out there. Thank you for the time and effort you put into creating these videos!