Steam Locomotive Controls [4K] 

*_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/

Possibly the best documentary I've ever seen. Excellent videography, editing, and sound. But what was most striking to me is the lack of vocal narration... It clearly conveys that deep sense of reverence and respect this good man has for this beautiful ol' girl. It lets her speak on her own terms, with her own "vocabulary", and no interference. And what a beautiful vocabulary it is. Living, breathing, indeed. Thank you.

I never realized that I had it so easy being a fireman and engineer on diesel electric. This video shows what it really took to be a head end crew member on steam! Very good video! Keep up the good work!

I have stood in the cabs of many dormant steam locomotives, and been perplexed by the plethora of unlabeled valves, until now. It is most difficult to find this information anywhere else. Thank you, and keep up the hard work!

I am so impressed, I can't believe my eyes. This art must be handed down. There can't be any book or class that teaches this.

Thank you so much for these videos. Just the facts are presented - clear and straightforward - no "fluff", no silly music.

30 psi ≈ 21 kPa; 60 psi ≈ 410 kPa; 90 psi ≈ 620 kPa; 130 psi ≈ 900 kPa; 37 100 pound ≈ 165 kN, 6000 gals ≈ 23 m³. Awesome video!

This exemplifies what I love about RU-vid. There is nothing this entertaining on tv. Perfect watch with my morning coffee and cigar.

Ouch. I watched all three today and just wow. Not just the loco but the controls and how you do it. The time taken to set up the camera record the action must have taken a long time. Then to edit it into a flowing story that showed the process, just lovely all round. Looking forward to more. This quality takes great effort and not a little time, so I’ll wait for the next one. Keep it up. This is worth a medal from the preservation world.

My Grandfather was an engineer on the NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM . He operated everything from Switchers up to and Including the Mighty 4-8-4 Niagara's After watching your videos ,I cannot even Imagine what the Cab and Locomotive controls in a "Niagara" were like ... WOW Your Videos are Amazing ! I had No Idea how complicated a Steam Locomotive operation was . THANK YOU so very much for your Amazing Videos !!!

I think it’s safe to say, these videos are instant classics. Thanks Jeff, great work. 👍

This entire video can be concluded in one simple word: AWESOME!

This is what the internet is for right here. The preservation and sharing of bad ass history.

Amazing just how different American locomotives are from British locos - not only in styling but also in the actual controls available. I volunteer on a heritage railway here in the UK, and was curious with the very industrial looking locos that you have - ours are covered in lots of very nice playing to hide all the pipes and valves, but it makes for a lot more polishing! And wood in a steam engine in the U.K. makes for a very rare find - almost everything is of metal construction! Particular curiosities are the sanding dome (which in the UK does not exist, and is merely a box on each side of the loco down on the walkway), a dynamo (only on retrofitted locos, otherwise they relied on and still rely on paraffin lamps), steam heating (here all steam is for the loco, not for comfort, and we expect the fire to be hot enough to keep us warm!) and the amount of compressed air equipment (here almost everything is manually operated - especially the firebox door and cover - and compressed air is very rarely found with our locos relying heavily on vacuums). So very interesting, and thank you for sharing this insight into the locos over the pond. Can't wait for more so I can learn all of your American locomotive secrets!

I have been wanting to know this ALL MY LIFE, thank you SO MUCH. I smiled the entire time I watched this.

Jeff, Your two videos are fabulous!!! Not only do they show a unique view of how the engine works and all that is takes to make it run and some of the maintenance points, but your shots are very artistic and well planned and annotated so we know what you are showing us. You know you must be the envy of many steam buffs like myself. Thanks so much for making these videos!

Ten thumbs up! This is the best video of its kind I've seen. I know a decent amount about steam engines but there were several new things here I'd never heard of!! Thanks and I hope you get a ton of views!!

The number of things you can do with steam (and the technology to harness the power of it) to me is fascinating (i.e. - the number of functions they have engineered into a single (quite complex) device such as a locomotive using only steam power). You can generate electricity (Dynamo - never heard of it before -amazing), heat, cooling, locomotion, compressed air, braking, and so many other functions (which I don't even know). 1928, the year of my Mother's birth.

Great work Jeff! I've been in and around steam and all other forms of railroading for most of my life. You have made some of the very best videos to be had in terms of quality and information given. Extremely proud of you! As for the 491 I have a special place in my heart for the engine after reading the story in October 1969 Trains Magazine of the crew getting stranded on Cumbres Pass on board 491 in a snowstorm in 1951.

Awesome! What a nice in-depth look without all the “fluff”. Great job to all ya cats over there keeping these machines running with your obvious passion, blood, sweat and tears. Thanks!

The best video I have ever seen about steam locomotives. Except maybe your video about start up! Amazing how complex a simple machine can be. And amazing how simple a complex machine can be.

What ingenious machines these are! The engineers who drove them deserve much respect. Thanks for posting this, I learned a lot. Fascinating!

I'm pretty sure is more complicated to run such a machine than a Disel one. This is amazing. This used to be a regular job for the railway companies, now is something rare.

Hi Jeff! Great videos! I've always wondered what all the valves and levers do and you've done a great job explaining and showing. Your previous video was amazing too. I've loved steam engines since I was a kid and always thought it would be fun to work on them, I'm very envious of you! Sure it's dirty but rewarding keeping them going. Thanks and keep up the great work!

I am actually impressed. I just think that steam locomotives are one of the most majestic vehicles ever built. I'm just blown away by this!

@ 14:11 the water test spigot looks like it can make a nice latte, probably have a metallic taste to it though. EXCELLENT video by the way loved it.

I like the way the valve is full opened and then backed a little...my father taught me that.

This is a lot of fun to watch. It brings back good memories of my time volunteering at the Minnesota Transportation Museum. Once when I was on vacation and staying near Duluth, I stopped by the museum there and they had a 2,8.8.2 Yellowstone that was used in the iron ore trade. There was a stair and platform so one could stand in the cab and wonder at all the valves and gauges. With my knowledge from MTM I could tell anyone who wanted to listen, how to get such a thing up and running. They eventually kicked me out, closing time I guess, but I had a blast interpreting the mechanics to people who would never know the difference between that massive engine and a airliner cockpit. Thanks for putting this on. Hope to get down there one of these days.

Great video. Very clear. Not rushed, and no stupid music. I learned a lot. Well done, and thank you.

We realize how considerable is the need to a deep know how in conducting such a complex machine. This is not only a question of funding rehabilitation of steam locomotives, but also to get some experts like Jeff, able to learn, understand and drive these machines and multiple and delicate controls ! from Canada.

I'm with stirlingfromla - I have been studying this for most of my life, and never understood it as well as I now do, thanks to seeing this video. Thank you so much for producing it.

I really love how they did a Polar Express theme for christmas those kids would've been ecstatic and super excited if they watched the movie.

I learned more about how a steam locomotive works in 21 minutes than I learned from hours of pouring over my three books on steam engines. Especially liked how he would do something like pull the valve gear in the cab and then show what was happening on the outside. Thank you sir and 10 thumbs up!

I am very glad that I can finally see such a video about a steam locomotive. You filmed and described it as if I were there myself. Thanks and keep it up

Impressive. I worked for a utility company for 35 years. Coal ,natural gas and fuel oil . Several units one was really old a lot of things were similar . The others had super heat . I worked operation and maintenance. Those steam locomotive had a lot of power . Thanks for the videos

Jeff, great videos. Thank you for taking the time to make and share information about these fascinating machines. Please continue to make more videos about maintaining, repairing, operating and functioning these magnificent machines. You are preserving history my friend!

thanks for solving the sand dome mystery. For years Ive been asking people who might know about the extra dome on locomotives, and nobody could say anything beyond the steam dome. This video is the ONLY one so far providing an in depth info on every accessory.

I would kill to ride along in the doghouse. Seems like a perfect vantage point for catching all the beauty of the scenery and the locomotive.

Thanks Jeff!! I learn everytime more about this mighty machine: The LOCOMOTIVE!!!! Beautifull. And Jeff: YOU ARE ALSO A VERY GOOD TEACHER!!!

Wow! Awesome! Just the level of detail (and dramatic suspense during the start up procedure) that I have always wanted to experience! Thanks guys, whoever makes this stuff available to us!

I'm a retired Boilermaker and really love these videos ! Thanks for posting them !

This has been really fascinating, My wife treated me to a steam train driving experience here in the UK for my 70th Birthday, I went home sooty and couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear for days after, but this was far better than my experience as I only drove a 0-4-0 saddle tank loco , with not so many controls. Thank you for this one and your previous one. Great stuff again.

I can't beleive how high quality this video is considering it was shot in the 1940s when steam was around.

The engineering, manufacturing AND the engineers who operated these behemoths are indeed INCREDIBLE.

This is a great video for someone like me who doesn't know much. Clearly explained and documented. Thank you for this great content.

Dude these videos are awesome! Not many people get to see this from your perspective. Thank you for sharing! Give us some more videos and some bio about yourself. A+

Thank you once again for a fascinating look at how these magnificent machines work. Excellent video, very high gualitiy. Looking forward to your next one.

Great video, greatly enjoyed watching it twice. Saving it to watch again, with shows such as this I shall never be board. Thank you.

I was a 3rd generation railway employee, along with several uncles,cousins and so on. I used to ride on the footplate a lot (unofficially) with uncles as a little kid. I still love that smell of oily steam and burning coal.

My new favorite channel.

I've never seen such great information. Thank you!

I to have been wanting to know this ALL MY LIFE, thank you SO MUCH. I smiled the entire time I watched this.

This human ingenuity to create such complicated locomotive just unbelievable...awesome..👍

An excellent video ! No boring commentary, good camera work showing the parts and concise expanatory captions.

Another amazing video by your Jeff :) Thanks for sharing the beauty of steam engines with us ^__^

A melhor exposição/explicação, visual de uma locomotiva a vapor, para um leigo entender. Parabéns pelo conteúdo! Muito bom os vídeos do canal! 👍Do Brasil!

Wow! Absolutely great video! Thanks 👍👍

Amazing work on these videos! Its answered many of my questions about these incredible machines! Instant sub! Keep it up and cheers from a fellow steamer (steam ticketed operator at a gas plant)!

Love these couple videos of you working with 491! This one in particular is very informative. Makes me want to learn how to drive steam! Thanks for sharing

Great video, keep them coming. Thanks Again for sharing!!!!

This actually makes me want to drop my studies and get into some conservation group instead

It’s incredible when you realize that these magnificent machines were hand-made, designed with pens, rulers, protractors, and a lot of brains. The most ADVANCED “computer” available would have been the slide-rule. Look at the various components - the wheels, the linkages, the firebox covers; you can see the tool marks from when some guy crafted each component by hand. You can see hammer marks, filing scratches, etc. The amount of ingenuity of the generations past is astonishing, being able to create so much with so little. I hope that we can continue on this fine tradition of ingenious engineering for countless centuries to come.

Wow what an Engine, its like a Living Breathing Thing, thanks for showing us around this incredible peice of old but amazing peice of engineering , it remains a testament to those that designed, built and operated these beautiful old machines, and those like yourselves that lovingly restore and bring them back to life, for all of us to see and marvel at... Thank you

Thanks for a fine video. I have been hungry for this info for a long, long time. This vid goes straight to the favorites list! God Bless the FINE MEN who designed and operated these amazing machines. They got dirty and sweaty for sure, and did not sit in an office behind a computer!

Very beautiful whistle's sound, and I very like steam locomotives!

Those K-37's are beautiful looking engines.

Wonderful video! Thank you for explaining a lot of what I didn't underhand before!

Operating a steam engine seems quite complex and must be very time-consuming to learn and coordinate efficiently. I can see why Disneyland needed your skills so desperately. :) Hands-on knowledge and a conscientious attitude are greatly needed to do this job. Bravo!!

I absolutely love this video. It shows and explains aspects of a locomotive that I would never have had the chance to see. Thank you for making these. I'm eager to see more. Even seeing the lanterns light up was a real treat.

Wow..!!! Very nice video n explanation through the subs I was very eager to know more about the steam engines...I didn't know the large mudpot type thing was for sand storage....

It takes a huge amount of knowledge to make a simple machine work. Still amazes me how steam expanding in two drums can pull thousands of tons behind it.

Nice video, very well done. Thanks for the walk through! Love seeing "old iron" still loved and looked after in this day and age.

you've got the coolest job in the world , awesome video's you make , keep up the good work

This is so overwhelming. I would crumble! Love these videos . Makes you truly appreciate what goes into running these classic steam behemoths. Enjoy it to the fullest as all us spectators wish we could do what you do. Bravo on keeping this amazing Art of engineering alive 👏🏻

Can't imagine how long it would take to learn all this but you don't look that old. Must have had a good teacher

Very informative with some excellent camera work. Thanks for no music...it was good to hear the “music” of the locomotive.

great and awesome vid, cant wait to show my grandfather and point out what he was talking about all these years. cheers mate.

Wow very well done I have read a lot on running a steam engine this really helps to understand it all.

What a marvel. All those parts and gears man o man what a steam engine.

This video is fantastic. Very educational and interesting to watch. You did a great job.

Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you are enjoying your time with Disney.

I know nothing about steam engines but that was a very enjoyable video. That is when they made stuff out of iron to last forever! Awesome.

We really take for granted all the modern technology that WE have,was Driven on the Backs of these BRAVE AND WISE MEN!

This is illustrates why it takes years if not decades to rebuild these complex cutting edge machines of there era at time when harnessing a horse and buggy was one of the most complex tasks that people had to perform. In today’s terms it might be the difference between driving a car and piloting a 747. As the saying Goes “You know your getting old when you cease to be amazed”. Well I’ve put off being old for another day because I am “Amazed”.

Again, awesome! Good work & very interesting. Thanks.

Right on Jeff ! You own this ! I like watching your videos. Keep them showing.

I got a kick out of you dumping the steam through the cab heater for the cool effect as you were passing everyone. It was funny!

I want to be that guy in the shed. Dream job. Steam heat, window view, fresh air, nice sofa, I'm a simple man.

Fantastic! They really are living breathing things. Thank you so much for showing us, even a little bit, what goes on in the cab.

Jeff, I really enjoy your videos! I watch them quite often and look forward to upcoming productions. I'm a "died int wool" steam locomotive and D&RGW fan.

Top class video, well done to all. The art of the Steam Locomotive must continue to be taught to those eager to learn. This video is a great starter.

This is way more complex than I thought! ROCKET SCIENCE!!!

Really great videos and thanks for taking great pains and the time to upload and share them. It's hard not to marvel at these machines and the art it took to run and maintain them. While they are labor intensive, they just have a lot of charm that diesels don't have. As for the head end brakeman, it brings new meaning to being in the "Dog House". Thanks again for sharing these gems. I really enjoyed watching them.

An excellent video for those who want to know details about construction and operation of a steam locomotive. Very well presented, and should answer most questions that anyone might have. Congratulations to the team presenting this.

Very well-done video! Great explanation and detail!

Wow. I loved it. It is the first time I see someone showing all the controls like this. Very nice. Congratulations from Brazil. Nilton Polydoro

Awesome video mate, thanks for taking the time to actually show the workings of everything!

Ive always loved steam eingines since i was a boy, incredible how alive they feel. Even through the video you can feel her soul.

I've been fascinated with trains since I was little. I had no idea about the sand. That's interesting and makes a lot of sense.

Bonjour Jeff, Thank you for these very educative videos. Amicalement, Raphaël