Technology has certainly made so many things in our lives easier. But what is sacrificed, a more intimate relationship and appreciation of nature and humanity. It’s a loss for those not having experienced an art that made soon be harder to find.

Who doesn't love a steam train! I want to go there!

@mscott3918

3 жыл бұрын

You would love the Puffing Billy steam train in Victoria, Australia.

@lowrangemaniac5326

3 жыл бұрын

Steam locomotives NEEDS to be everywere! Here in Italy there's 10 steam locomotives that still works for tourists!

@mike_hat6417

3 жыл бұрын

you should've seen the up big boy

@TSemasFl

3 жыл бұрын

Tarantula Train in Grapevine Texas is a good ride. They have a 4-6-0 they keep in pristine condition.

@yulshin5429

2 жыл бұрын

I loved steam trains since I was a todler

Wow! You can tell that they are a very experienced and skilled crew!

I retract my earlier question. After watching the rest of the video, I realized that this is a small operation. They possibly don't have enough volunteers to fill all the positions. The Sumpter Valley is a volunteer operation. I certainly admire those who give of their time and talents so that others can enjoy the steam experience! Kudos to everyone who made this video possible!

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

Fort Steele has almost exclusively paid staff to operate the train.

@MrMASSEYJONES

3 ай бұрын

Visit Calgary's Heritage Park, which has a very detailed rail operation, including exhibits, a streetcar ride and one of 2 steam locomotives, operating May to September, on a loop around the site; view several videos here. And, if you're a car buff, you'll be doubly rewarded, with one of the very best vintage cars and truck collections in Canada; up around 1950-60; and going Bach almost a century; all in pristine condition, including well over 3 dozen gas pumps, on display in Gasoline Alley; it's mind boggling. Heritage Park also has a paddle wheel boat (electric) and sailing on The Glenmote Reservoir - Calgary's water supply. Everything included in the admission price (except parking); Calgary Transit Route 502 will get you to the gate. Only restriction: No Dogs, except service dogs. Food and drink are available at modest price, or you can bring your own and have a picnic. There are also vintage rides; everything is historic, either the original item or a faithful replica. There's a large roundhouse full of rail cars and artifacts to visit and "Railway Days" (2 days of steam double-heading by both ex US Army locomotives, steam crane operation and turntable displays. Allow a full afternoon; you'll find that 4 hours go very quickly, and you've only scratched the surface.

6:47 "Steam trains just make you smile, something about them" Well said! Is it the appearance? The sound? The history? Either way, they really put a smile on my face. Really cool!

@8_x_9.

4 ай бұрын

....And all the smells. 😊

There is also a tourist steam train in Ontario called the South Simcoe Railway, it only runs a few times a year though Im sure there are others as well

Hey Mike, this probably is the most fun I've ever seen you have. Thank you for this fun adventure and educational video, always looking forward for more

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks!

As a rail fan I'm great to see you have fun

These Canadian posts are as good as the faraway ones.

@Nynke_K

3 жыл бұрын

They are faraway to me, but I definitely agree!

You're giving me flashbacks of my 5 years as a rail crew transporter. There is a mystique to the iron horse.

Last continual serving steam engine is Union Pacific #844, a 4-8-4 FEF. As it is still on Union Pacific's roster.

Well done! So cool ! 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃

I love that there are so many operating historic steam locomotives in North America. In just my vicinity, here in Utah I can go to the Heber Valley Railroad and the Golden Spike National Historic Park. Occasionally the Union Pacific also runs their heritage locomotives into Utah, like the one my great grandpa worked on, the 844.

@lowrangemaniac5326

3 жыл бұрын

In Italy the number of steam trains is growing up!

Mike, You have adapted and overcome a bad situation. You are producing interesting and entertaining videos. (That was what I meant by what I previously said. Besides you brought your sister with you as well.

always a good feeling to see these living, breathing, Steam Locomotives in action. An expensive endeavor but one I say is worthwhile for these Locomotives to show even just a shadow of their pride and power to the world today.

The pure joy on your faces says it all

This is awesome. You’re awesome. As a Vancouverite, I love seeing parts of BC that often go unseen. Keep it up, bud!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Will do!

This video brought back so much from my childhood!! I grew up down the road in Invermere BC and Fort Steele was somewhere we went during every season. School visits, family volunteering days (complete with historical costumes), and even getting to live the pioneer life in primary school during an overnight field trip! I am now a historian myself and get to do all of this every single day (though from life 2500 years ago) and Fort Steele played a huge role in my love for history. I live in the UK now and this video will be on my 'homesick day watchlist'! Thank you for the unexpected nostalgia

Love your videos Mike. I love Canada, had 5 great years there for work. Can't understand why people can't tell the difference between a Canadian and American accent. Canadian has a slightly softer, more friendly sound. Happy to be one of your UK subscribers. Hope you can get back here soon.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Great point!

I always love it when you do a train video.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

More to come!

Random info, the corridor coach next to the locomotive at the start/when it was in the yard is an ex British railways mk1 coach

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

They usually use that coach, but because it is so enclosed I'm assuming they're not using it this year because of Covid.

@Steven_20031

3 жыл бұрын

@@fabio40 some railways in the UK are using it with ventilation from the windows and using every other table as well as their compartment counter parts

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

@@Steven_20031 Not at Fort Steele. They probably don't need the capacity this year, so they're going with the two open coaches.

@Steven_20031

3 жыл бұрын

@@fabio40 that's fair enough

@jacobwoods8738

3 жыл бұрын

The coach was used with DUNROBIN I assume, the Duke of Sutherland’s private locomotive that spent some 5 decades in B.C. along with Sutherland’s 4 wheel saloon.

Wow, that was cool. I loved seeing a female engineer. She handled that train like a pro.

@justahillbilly7777

3 жыл бұрын

Nobody ever said railroading was just for the boys.

@kylethedalek

3 жыл бұрын

steammaster4449 but more boys like it.

@rustyshackleford3263

3 жыл бұрын

Except she wasn’t able to line the switch without kicking it, but I guess the rule standards are lowered for women!

@lynfl9814

3 жыл бұрын

@@rustyshackleford3263 Typical male chauvinistic response. The young women did what she needed to do and got the job done. And, she did it very quickly. I admire her for her guts and fortitude.

@rustyshackleford3263

3 жыл бұрын

careaboutnature S typical feminist deflection , I’m guessing you’re not familiar with the operating rules. All I did was point out her violation, and you come running to defend her. But by all means let’s change the rules because she can’t line a switch properly. She’s one hell of an empowered waaman!

Steam on ... dream on! I’m into steam punk ... so this is definitely a pilgrimage destination!

Hey Mike, That was really cool. I had the pleasure of riding on the Royal Hudson a couple of times which was a great experience. You are highlighting so many cool things to do in BC, thanks.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

WOW! The Royal Hudson would be such a dream.

best place to see steam locomotives is steamtown usa scranton, Penn. lots of operating loco and they a running BIG BOY. its a once in a lifetime experience.

Holy crab, how f.... good is this train? Sorry for my words but this train is amazing. And the best is the female engineer. How cool she is, really great. It must be an amazing trip with this train. Thanks for sharing this, Mike. Unfortunately I have missed the premiere but it is worth to wait for it and see it now. Great

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I definitely agree with you, that it's awesome!

@deichkind1974

3 жыл бұрын

@@DownieLive absolutely. When you see the trains from today.....I can remember when I was a child I was used to go by train with similar wheels as this stream train which made the typical "train sound". But the trains from today are just high tech.....

I dearly wish you had done this video three years ago when my late father was still alive. He loved trains, big trains, model trains, Jim Beam trains, all trains. Our Christmas tree always had a train gong around the base. He once scammed his way on to the train engine at Promontory Point, Utah, and took her for a ride as the president of the Capital City Train Club (we live in Sacramento, the capital of California). He was actually the president, but the club consisted of six guys who met once a month in their various garages to eat sandwiches and play with their model trains. He travelled the US going to trains and train shows. He would have been right there with you on the engine and staying in that Caboose hostel.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing those stories about your dad. He sounds like a fun guy.

@MacAdvisor

3 жыл бұрын

@@DownieLive He was a very fun guy. He was a DI in the US Marines, the football coach for the local jr. college, and collected everything from 1959 Cadillacs to Jim Beam bottles to Erector sets. When I came out to him, he set me up on a blind date with one of his gay football players. He had poker nights and block parties. Because both my Mom and Dad were teachers, we had the summers together as a family and went on adventures together. I miss him and Mom every single day. I urge you to enjoy every minute with your folks while you can. Keep up the great videos. They are truly a G-d send in these times.

I probably was on board that steam locomotive too. I visited BC with my mum 20 years ago . It was so cool to blow that steam whistle as a 5yr old. So funny, that your vid was in my recommendation. Greetings from Germany!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! Cool! You're lucky, it's a great locomotive and railway!

I always get mesmerized by a Steam Locomotive.

Incredible footage and glad that your having an excellent time, it really shows, thank you for the GREAT Footage - I Liked & Subscribed 😎👍

That is a wonderful train. I've got generations of railroad workers on my mother's side. From the 1800's on. Here in Utah. The most important hub in the west. I've always loved trains. It must be genetic😊 Thanks for another great video, Michael!❤

Excellent video! That engineer really knows how to use that Johnson bar, no power reverse on that baby!

Such an awesome video! This style of vlogging mixed with trains is just awesome!

Yeah I can definitely agree that steam locomotives are amazing; the sounds are really heartwarming to hear and the way they function is incredible; surely one of my favorite innovations ever made. But yeah thanks for sharing this awesome video; it was extremely enjoyable to watch and you did a great job narrating and providing us with interesting info throughout it, as well as some real nice footage to go along with it. Keep up the awesome work man and hope you have another great time wherever you go next! :D

I've been on a steam train once, years ago; this was such a good reminder. Loud and rickety as all hell, but so much fun.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

It really is!

@scootergrant8683

3 жыл бұрын

Very rarely are they that bad. In fact in the U.K we got one on a heritage run along the south that had to take passengers from a normal connect service as the snow caused serious delays.

I never new all that work went in to a steam train, Wow! Excellent info., from steam to bullet, what a difference.

Massive pile of AWESOME knowledge! love steam 🚂! Love that steam whistle! Thanks for the impressive production!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

So cool! Thanks for sharing this video... a bit of history here. I love trains!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you everyone of you that keep the steam engine running you guys are amazing and women

This was way too COOL!!!! 🚂👏🏼👍👏🏼🚂 Another, Great job!

Excellent video from start to finish! Thanks

Wow great video man!! And what a awesome locomotive!! Love it!!

We had an operational shay (geared steam locomotive) in ottawa here. It last ran in 2013 and it needs a boiler re-certification. Its in the new ingenium center that was built last year

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

Fort Steele also has a Shay, but it hasn't ran in at least a dozen years.

To see the World in a Grain of sand...and a Heaven in a Wild Flowers...Hold infinity in the palm of your hand...And Eternity in an hour...💖

Thanks for all the awesome train video’s Mike. Cheers from a fellow train fan👍

Another top notch video Michael, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Take care, David.

Hi Mike, this video of all the train videos you did is by far the best ever. Keep finding those trains !!!!! But I must say all your video are awesome and you are very good at presenting them !!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks!

As always, great videos! Congrats on the great work!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

Hey Mike! Loved it... as always.. can't wait for the next adventure ...and -- "ALL ABOARD!" that's fun to say

That whistle is awesome! Nice video!

I have always liked your videos but this one was truly my fav. We have lots of trains here in Texas. I loving visiting anywhere that has a train. Raised by train tracks. Love the sound.

I love trains. There are not too many steam engines still running anymore. Thanks for sharing!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

So many fun memories going to Fort Steele as a kid. Best school field trips!

@jessicawarland7169

3 жыл бұрын

yes, we stayed in the barrics once!

Wow! Wow! Wow! Just The Best Mike! Thank You As You Took Me Around The World Again! Your A Priceless Gift In The Journey Traveled & Shared! Stay Safe & Stay Healthy! Always, Tommy :-)

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tommy! I'm glad you're enjoying the journey as much as I am!

Thanks Mike!! That was a super fun video. You are giving me some great ideas for when I am once again able to cross the border from Minnesota to Canada.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Have fun!

Super Awesome! Such a fantastic video and what a neat adventure to ride in the locomotive. More train videos whenever you can. Loved it!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

There’s more to come from this recent trip.

I love the roaring of that steam Train, Some of my family members from 1800s work on the railroad

Nice video with the Downie Duo :) - learned something new about locos too, pretty cool.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Great Video Mike. I love all your videos. It’s great to see your videos. Stay Safe and God Bless You and your family.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

That was awesome!! I Love Trains!! Awesome Video Mike!!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

I didn't mention it in any comment below; but I'll be hunting for more of your videos. Dynamic, well edited and informative; the way good videos should be. Take a bow, for a job well done.

I certainly hope that that engine is again soon. Steam engines like this are, more or less, designed to be rubuilt indefinitely. It looks well maintained. I hope it ends up back in operation.

Glad to see you posting again. And a train :) BTW - I loved the Air BnB posts you did recently - especially the llamas.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Oh they were so fun! Thanks, Calvin!

There is still a working stream locomotive in Manitoba. The Prairie Dog Central. It does short trips to a small town and back. It's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.

on trips to Vancouver in the 1990's 2 or 3 times I took the steam trip from North Vancouver to Squamish and back It was a main line trip and the locomotive was the Royal Hudson.One luck time back in North Vancouver I was invited up into the massive cab. great treat.

Awesome video! I actually saved it for reference for an animation I'm working on

Super cool I loved that train I hope to ride on it some day thanks for sharing

Mesmerizing experience & bringing back the hands of time into the wonder of steam train rides🚉Awesome video🚊

Oh awesome! I will put Fort Steele on our provincial bucket list. Another favourite train of mine is the Kettle Valley train out of Summerland. 🚂

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I really want to do it, but it’s not running this summer.

@Bushguyrocks

3 жыл бұрын

@@DownieLive The train in Summerland has train robberies and they decorate it up with lights at Christmas. Magical.

Awesome video Mike. Your videos are engaging! Keep it up. 👍👍

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Larry!

OK you got me with a steam train vid, awesome. Cheers from the Land Down Under, thanks for the great channel, very entertaining and just as informative.

@stufromoz8164

3 жыл бұрын

Subbed

How neat! Good video Mike . Thanks for sharing.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Awesome train! Thanks for sharing. ❤️

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for visiting

Awesome video!! Cool train. 😀😀

Many congratulations you deserve it, you kept on going when things got rough 👏 and I remember the times I spent many a happy time visiting different trains So Thank you for reminding me. Keep safe Love Elizabeth

Same locomotive from expo 86.

A steam train running on oil? I didn't know that was a thing! Thanks for all the technical details, this was so interesting!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

Very common in the later years of steam locomotives in the 40's and 50's. Even more so today. It's cleaning and much easier to get.

@armchairrocketscientist4934

3 жыл бұрын

@@fabio40 Yeah, I think that the only times they do coal or wood is when the locomotives weren't designed for such and they don't want to switch over for historical preservation. I think some D&RGW historic railways use coal still. The Golden Spike replica locomotives also still use wood.

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

@@armchairrocketscientist4934 1077 at Fort Steele was built to burn wood in 1923. Only a year later it was converted to burn oil.

The title should be altered to Last steam train in B.C. not Canada. The Prairie Dog Central has bee an active engine since 1882 in Winnipeg.

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

Not quite. It should be the last steam locomotive in regular service in BC.

@crushingvanessa3277

3 жыл бұрын

@@fabio40 Seems more correct.

@mardatron

3 жыл бұрын

Crushing Vanessa3 Dont forget about about the Royal Hudson 2860 ; )

@crushingvanessa3277

3 жыл бұрын

@@mardatron I did forget.

@loggior.speedweed4345

3 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget the one in Calgary Heritage Park

The engineer lady was awesome! Wow

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Kendall was super impressive! I should have asked her more questions.

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

@@DownieLive She's a heck of a lot prettier than Gene. lol

Great video!! Great host! Thank you.

I’ve seen at least 4 of yr videos today, all done in BC, and they all make me want to be there. Great job, Mike!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter!

Man that place is heaven on earth.

That female engineer knows what she's doing!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

She sure does!

@fabio40

3 жыл бұрын

She's only been at it for three years too.

@TSemasFl

3 жыл бұрын

She's hott too,

@jaredklock8754

3 жыл бұрын

@@TSemasFl And that's your first reaction to her?

I love trains so much!! There’s never been a time when I never disliked trains, I love them all steam or diesel but steamies are always my favorite!

So Cool! Thanks for sharing!

Another great steam train episode.

RAILROADS FOREVER ! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

You are so lucky to do a footplate experience. I myself have done a footplate experience on the old Voss line in Norway. Although the water filling method is different because in Norway we fill the water from under the tender with a hose

The whistle on that locomotive sounds like the polar express

@jacobwoods8738

3 жыл бұрын

Conor Wigglesworth I couldn’t help but agree. It is some type of 5 chime steptop. The 5 chime of Sierra No 3 was used for 1225 in Polar Express, rather than 1225’s whistle.

@armchairrocketscientist4934

3 жыл бұрын

@@jacobwoods8738 Yeah, shame they didn't use Pere Marquette 1225's original whistle, considering it was the inspiration for the Polar Express.

@That_One_Guy_In_A_Band

3 жыл бұрын

@@armchairrocketscientist4934 True, I like 1225's Nathan 6 Chime. Ironically, the first whistle in the movie, that comes from the steam radiator in the boy's room, is a Nathan 6 Chime, from NKP S-2 Berkshire No.759

Dude this is awesome! Steam trains, I don’t know what it is... they’re just amazing machines! Excellent video Mike! Keep up the good work! Hopefully whenever this COVID stuff is over, you’ll be able to come back to the states to see the steam down here!

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

I hope so too! I already have a route planned out to do 5 steam trains in a week down there. Now, it's just a matter of when I can do it...

@ericsturniolo

3 жыл бұрын

It’s just a matter of time at thus point!

god i can only imagine how cool it is to work as part of the cab crew in a steam locomotive, love the video. i would love for you to check out this old canadian pacific 4-4-0 that operates in a small town in south simcoe ontario

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

I'll have to add it to my list. Thanks 👍🏼

@doge_sevens

3 жыл бұрын

@@DownieLive you are very welcome!

@armchairrocketscientist4934

3 жыл бұрын

Probably out of reach for most people, but the Nevada Northern Railway lets people operate locomotives for $1000 for steam. A lot of railroads also offer rides in the cab for around $100. My personal favorite was riding in the caboose as a little kid, at the Sumpter Valley Railroad in Oregon.

@connerrolofson1585

3 жыл бұрын

@@doge_sevens You mean CP A2m #136?

@doge_sevens

3 жыл бұрын

@@connerrolofson1585 that's the one

How do you always know how to make me smile? What a great adventure!

Another great video. Thanks

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, Pam. Thanks for watching

The drive wheels are quartered so their crankpins are set at 90 degrees from each other, not 30 and are held in that position by being pressed onto the axle and keyed. They're quartered at 90 because when one cylinder is on dead center the other is at peak torque at full cutoff so that way the engine will always be self-starting. Also, there's a name for each different rod, they're not all collectively called "push rods" in fact push rods are really only used in Internal Combustion Engines. On this engine the rods that exist are as follows: Piston Rod (which connects the piston inside the cylinder to the crosshead), the main rod which delivers the power from the cylinders to the main crankpin, the side rods that connect the rest of the driving wheels together to keep them all synchronized, the eccentric crank which sets the timing of the valve so the steam is distributed to each end of the cylinder at the right time, the eccentric rod which connects the crank to the reversing link, the reversing link itself (which is that crescent shaped piece) which allows for the reduction of valve cutoff and also total reversing of the Engine's rotation, the radius rod, which follows the arc of the reversing link and connects the reversing link to the combination lever and valvestem, thereby providing a majority of the motion the valve requires. The vertical rod, the combination lever connects the radius rod, valve stem, and union link ( the smaller link that connects to the bottom of the Crosshead) the purpose of the union link and combination lever is to add the other part of the motion the valve requires, specifically the lead variable, which means it allows steam to be admitted slightly before the piston reaches top or bottom dead center to cushion the running gear and also give it an extra little kick for beginning the next stroke. These rods also allow for the proper reduction of valve cutoff without throwing off the valve events. Lead and admission will always occur at the right time, but as the cutoff is reduced or "hooked up", the valve does not open or travel quite as much, and can close the ports sooner to conserve the steam since you don't need as great of a volume of steam to keep the train moving. You only need the full punch when getting it started before you have any momentum and you need to overcome the "Stiction" in the bearings. Also, the boiler water is NOT neutral. It has to be kept in the basic range because you want the boiler steel to form a protective magnetite layer over the surfaces exposed to the water to prevent corrosion. For this to occur the pH of the water needs to be around 9-10 for a steel boiler. The salt he mentioned that they use was more than likely Sodium Carbonate. An Amine based treatment would be better like LSB4000. You also need a good Oxygen Scavenger like Tannin or a Sulfite to prevent Pitting, and a surfactant to help keep impurities and scale from sticking to the boiler surfaces.

@Nynke_K

3 жыл бұрын

That was a lot, but interesting!

Can’t get over your laugh and Jess’ smile! Loved it! Awesome job! 👌Can’t wait to see what’s next ...with your hair 😂

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Ahhhhhh Hahahah! 😄. Who knows?!?! 😂

l remember when l was with my father driving to pick up my mother in downtown Montreal and seeing 4 or 5 tracks each about 1-2 miles long of steam locomotives being scrapped at turcot yards in montreal back in the early 60's beside rt #2 . still have memories of it. next generation will not know what a steam locomotive is as everything will be electric.

You have the flyest intro ! Great video Mike !

Holy moly, great video. I learned a lott about steam trains watching this. Never knew what those domes were, didn't know about the use of sand, didn't realize the wheels had counterweights on them and the linkage was offset. Good stuff, the small details. I actually learned something here.

@DownieLive

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

that was awesome! as a resident of the east coast of the U.S. i've been enamored by the beauty of the Pacific northwest for a long time; there's just something about the nature there that has a pull on me. I wouldn't be disappointed if your vlogs were only about BC.

All the work for the operator, incredible! Fun💗