Added: 2 years ago
From: SkipW
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  • So is that two six eight wheelers slammed together?

  • That has to be the best 21.17 I have ever spent watching a train. What a fantastic pice of kit. Thanks for the share SkipW

  • "As soon as this thing hits 88 MPH...your going to see some serious shit"

  • @canktm11 LOL Back to the Future doc controls the delorean with remote control with Einstein inside.

  • so what if it's not the biggest? it's still a beautiful sight :)

  • true americana there.

  • What a magnificent machine.. 

  • I know this is a bit geeky, but the front and rear connecting rods are moving almost simultaneously at times, then later they're almost exactly opposite each other in travel. Could that be through different steel tyre wear altering the wheel size slightly? Wont be a life altering answer, I'm just curious.

  • @wheelsdown1 So they seem - actually, I don't know nothing about locomotives, but maybe those position differences between rods arose when the machine started to move. I suppose the steam presure can be steered independently for its two triple or rather their cylinders (2 circuit?) and another one got more steam and span/slipped..

    "Wont be a life altering answer" - Heh heh, waite and see when steam-headed loco freaks see my "answer.."

  • @OttovonEarth thanks for your thoughts lets hope you don't start end up with the equivalent of a fattwa against you from the loco-heads. Thinking about it, it could be slight slippage from one set when pulling away? ie a tiny bit of wheel spin from one set of wheels? Its a monster loco though, very impressive.

  • @wheelsdown1 "..it could be slight slippage from one set when pulling away? ie a tiny bit of wheel spin from one set of wheels?"

    Yes, that's what meant tho' I couldn't express it good enough. I'll keep in mind the fatwa thing when I approach a railroad crossing the next time - never know whether a furious engineer a.k.a. steam ayatollah stalking me there.. I drive a modular combination which is ca. 25m meter long and that's why a pretty good target for these loco missiles.

  • Oh what a beautiful sight, Someday I hope I can see a Challenger up close and running. Great Video Thanks

  • What a great piece of filming of a beautiful subject. Now have a look at the world's newest steam loco. Built in UK from scratch and completed in 2008 after 18 years of planning, "Tornado" is seen on her first mainline speed tests. Just search on 60163 Tornado.

    or youtube.com/watch?v=jpXtQX0NZM

  • "When the world's largest steam locomotive is on fire you don't park it in the center of town" .. but if possible, close to oil reservoirs - 00:50

  • @OttovonEarth This is a Challenger Series loco... The UP Big Boy is the largest loco in the world it is a 4-8-8-4 truck set up... Search it out... There is still one in Scranton PA...

  • @Koneal2

    There is also a Big Boy in Laramie WY. Down town in a park.

  • What was on fire, and why did it catch again later? ...and how did the engine crew know...did the chasecar advise them by radio? What was typical speed? Very decent camera work...compliments to chasecar team and videographer. Most Impressive!

  • Is that a DXCC behind the tender? Man, 21 minutes flew by - what an enjoyable video. Thank you.

  • Ahhhh.... I see now... very cool....

  • Is that a pair of EMDs that are pushing? What was the manifest?

  • @DrDruidKJunior probably the business special

  • What a thing of beauty!!!

  • nice!

  • '

    how much weight this train 3985 without a coal and water

  • Why was the train dumping so much water??

  • Is this a "Big Boy" locomotive? I thought the Big Boy's started numbering at 4000.

  • @tlfrantz1 Actually its a challenger... big boys have an 4-8-8-4 set up... this challenger only has a 4-6-6-4 set up

  • Anal

  • How fast were you clocking this beast? 45 - 50 mph?

  • This thing is so cool!

    

  • wow worlds largest steam loco and worlds largest diesel loco.

  • I love classic trains they are beautiful.

  • This will be the way to travel when the zombie-asteroid-solar flare apocalypse happens and there is no more diesel or gasoline.. Fantasic machine.

  • There is just something that looks so good about steel moving that fast. Please, don't ever let Steam Locomotives fade into history.

  • @Jagg2305 I DONT THEY VERY WILL FADE BECAUSE JUST MAYBE THEY MAY COME BACK INTO FULL USE AGAIN

  • @SuperDemonbunny NO WAY, will steam come back. To expensive and ineffecient I am a former UP Hoghead.

  • @Jagg2305 that's impossible for that to happen

  • I love how the Challenger pulls the DD40x.I''m curious how they sync, though.

  • @jasinicus1 Same way the 4449 does it, there are controls for desiel helpers in the cab of the stream engine.

  • @omahjohn I think it's water that condensed on the boiler

  • @Qmann98 i think that condensed water that floods as a emition better it would return to the evaporation chamber, so is a lot of water saved. :)

  • @omahjohn I think it's the water that condenses in the boiler

  • what is that water spilling out the side 

  • What i don't understand is why is that diesel locomotive doing behind challenger it don't need it but if ya look closely you can see it pushing on the hills??????

  • @hardytrucker the diesel locomotive is there for braking

  • There is also a DDA40X behind the Challenger. To round out this pic, the Big Blow should have been along for the ride too.

  • These engines were engineering marvels in the day. Hell, still are. Over a million pounds of engine and tender powered by water and heat. Seems funny seeing this engine pulling passenger cars. These "Challenger" 4-6-6-4 engines were heavy service freight engines, as were the larger "Big Boy" 4-8-8-4 engines. Unfortunately, there are no operational Big Boy engines left. Only static displays.

  • My grandpa Ream was a firemen on 1 of these big boys

  • 4-6-6-4

  • i got to see big boy in cheyenne my grand father is the manger of union pacifc

  • Shame those big steamers only had a short run before the deasel engines came along

  • They certainly don't make them like this any more-more's the pity!

  • How fast can this thing go? Wow

  • @Th3Gam31z0va about 60 to 70 MPH if you are in britin im not sure how many KPH sorry

  • beautiful steamster

  • @davejoshmom1 With Unions who protected workers wages instead of allowing them to be eroded.

  • @davejoshmom1 What is this obsession Americans have with talking down other nations while at the same time thinking it is their right to stick their nose in their affairs.

  • what state is this in i need to live there

  • @peterbiltxr379 its Wyoming

  • le mariage parfait. Suggestion: open these two in parallel windows. so that the sound can be be matched to taste. Superdelicious. Hopefully someone skilled could make it in one clip with automatic repetition.

  • whoa, wait....AND a DD40X!?!?!?!?!!!!!!

  • David Waterman i saw the Big Boy wen i went to The Chiyane UP shops and i went in the challenger. those drivers are like the 2 standing on end thats how tall they are

  • at 4:28 u can see him injecting

  • but will it blend?

  • what is the speed?

  • Very, very nice!! What a beast!!

  • the Challenger closes resembles a "Big Boy" except for 6-6 drive wheels versus 8-8 on the "Big Boy"/.

  • What kind of speeds is this beast clocking?

  • Absolutely stunning!!!!!

  • @Cyclist051 I would say it is flames from the fire box, you realy see it on coal burnners.

  • Was this the time she rescued the diesel excursion train?

  • Big train. 8)

  • I used to live by the tracks when I was a kid, and during WWII. Saw stuff like that many times every day. Them were the days.

  • thanks for sounds!

  • Impressive!

  • under union pacific it says made in china

  • @yourmaker13 Skrew you.

  • Ok. I saw the fire. But does anyone  know what caused it?

    BTW Absolutely great video.

  • Holy Moly... and a DD40-X at the back... two Monsters on one train!!!

    Dammed... would have loved to see that live!

  • @ Unguidetone

    ...to your question... as it concearns to me... NO u'r NOT the only one!!! ;o))))

    I love that old Steammonsters, in my opinion, there are much to less out there!

  • The comment that any 'Big Boy' locomotive may or may not be in running condition is true. The understanding that the 3985 is considered a Big Boy is actually false. The 3985 is lighter, shorter, cylinders have smaller displacement, and is referred to as a 'Challenger'. Any UP loco numbered 4000 or higher is a Big Boy. Sub-4000 numbered locos are Challengers.

  • The 4985 is based in Cheyenne, WY. It has a GPS that you can track online at UP.com Firing the locomotive: It was built with a coal hopper and an auger system much like a pellet stove in a house. In the '60's some were converted to oil. The 3985 was converted back and restored in 2008; It was at the head of the train for the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus in 2010 on the run from Cheyenne to Denver. The 3985 is very much maintained in operating condition. Any other opinion is,opinion.

  • No, these great magnificent beasts are not in operation anymore. Diesel electrics replaced them some 50 years ago in cargo traffic. 25 Big Boys were built in the 1940s, but I don't know if any are still running today, or even if this one is maintained in near-operating condition. (You can see that it's not been maintained in operating condition because, well, it catches fire).

    As to the speed limit, these things weren't built for speed, but for immense hauling capacity.

  • the UP 4-8-8-4 BigBoy is the largest steam loco

  • @lego3691 Largest running I would say he meant

    

  • Was there a line of cars running with the train? Was it carrying passengers or are the old cars just for decor? Was it pulling the diesel or was diesel pushing 3985? If diesel *was* pushing...why? 3985 seemed to be under power, but couldn't tell if diesel was or not. Man! I gotta be careful or this could become a hobby it's *so* awesome!

  • @ProChoiceJesus yes the Challenger was pulling the train, the diesel was just in case it broke down.. and there's a line of cars behind it, because it's an excursion train.. people want to ride behind a steam locomotive in operation, especially a big one like a 4-6-6-4 Challenger..

  • So, I'm an aircraft mechanic & pilot with a passion for reciprocating, radial, & rotary engines, and virtually anything old, in aviation & otherwise, even though I'm not *that* old (44).

    I am curious to know...are these old engines (not just this one, but the many other oldies still operating) used commercially to haul cargo, or mainly/solely for recreational/historical/sentim­ental purposes? How fast was this run & were *you* busting the speed limit?

  • i would hate to fire that thing ive fired 80 ton shay locamotives and that takes alot of time and its only what one 10th of the size of that thing

  • Beautiful locomotive! Do they still operate it today? I hope so. We have the K4 here in Altoona, Pa in pieces still. Maybe someday they will get her running again.

  • The Challengers were actually used by the railroads to help the Diesels up and over mountain passes.

  • So how fast was the train going? I mean it looks like it was really hauling at times.

  • Beautiful piece of machinery.  Does this train still run excursions? What's with the diesel loco it appears to be hauling?

    Thanks so much for posting.

  • @phillips88gmail thats for head end power to teh cars

  • @phillips88gmail The diesel is there to supply power for the passenger cars and to assist with dynamic braking

  • @LoneSniperSG I also think that it helps the steam engine......at some rate anyways.....I mean I am sure UP doesn't want the steam loco being subjected to much stress as it would take a lot to repair her.

  • That is a long locamotive o_o 2x the size then i thought

  • VERYNICE RIDING

  • Редко такой длинный локомотив можно увидеть !

  • I'm seriously sitting here in awe. What a machine. I love the air horn too with the steam coming through it. Dammit man why can't these still be running? God what a sound.

  • @michaelhpedersen there still run..go to upsteam.com..they run every year

  • Comment removed

  • I need to take this to school one day!! :]

  • CONGRATULACIONES, EXCELENTE VIDEO Y BUENAS IMAGENES, ¡QUE VIVA EL TREN A VAPOR!

  • If there WAS a fire sxomewhere outside of the firebox it surely wasn't obvious from this video footage! The loco stopped briefly but that's all I saw !

  • American Iron at it's finest.

  • @Corvairnuts britains better

  • How did that fire happen?

  • @princenoah21 It's hot and it burns. =)

  • @trainfart I give in. You totally got me XD

  • Love those Challenger class locomotives. Great to see the mini Big Boy run...

  • @davejoshmom1 Sounds like the UK Blues. We've imported carp for 20 years after successive governments have run our own industries into the ground by encouraging cheep foreign imports. Not allowed to have pride. We live in a global village. Bull!. We gave the world railways and today we import Japanese kits to be "Built in Britain". If our forefathers could this 'Land fit for Heroes'. We're an Ocean apart but I think we share the same pain. All is not lost: Google :The Patriot Project (UK)

  • Nice video. + from Poland.

  • am i the only one masturbating to this?

  • @Unguidedone No.

  • @Unguidedone

    no

  • @Unguidedone Yeah, dude. This shit is...

    *Puts on sunglasses*

    ...really hot.

    YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHH­HHHHHH

  • @Unguidedone GET THAT COMMENT DOWN NOW

  • @doedante99 ummm no so gtfo rofl

  • @Unguidedone TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE, MAN! KEEP THAT SHIT TO YOURSELF!

  • @maxm2317 your such a girl

  • I am

  • @RedwoodValleyFreak youtube = full of normal people :D

  • @Unguidedone No mate shes wonderfull

  • i would kill to be able to over so,methingthis awsome by far one of my favorit trains.

  • remove that stuipd copyright.

  • challanger i saw that exact train when i was 2

  • how fast was that monster?

  • Look at that. What's being manufactured in America today that will still be operable and revered as part of our engineering heritage come a half-century from now?

  • why does it have two normal locomotives behind it?

  • Beautifal train

  • @NationalCrafter Since the steam trains are considered "Historic", they no longer run then at full power. The other engines are helper engines for inclines where they would need the extra power they are not allowed to apply with the steam train.

  • bigboy!

  • My great grandfather use to work for a railroad company and he loved it according to family members my grandfather lives right infront of the tracks so every summer u would see trains of different sizes and stuff drive by its a pretty cool sight =)

  • There can be no more beautiful site than this glorious steam locomotive charging down the track. Breathtaking!

  • @rosethornil. A beautiful sight indeed. Also a beautiful sound.

  • was it hauling passengers?

  • If this video doesn't give you a " stiffie ""you must be dead. But this would even wake the dead !!!  EXCELLENT video !!!!

  • @mrdavros100 - yes they still run. Union Pacific (UP) runs two steam trains for special events. You can find their schedule on UP's website under 'special trains' and then 'steam'. UP runs this 3985 and a smaller 844. The 844 will be in New Mexico and Arizona this fall (Oct/Nov of 2011).

  • Do this Locos still run?

  • this is POWER !…

    diesel high speed trains do not compare with steam engine when it comes to the feeling of power it gives …

    I loved traveling on steam engine trains when I was a kid !…

    thank you so much for this vid'.

  • Well at least the firebox wasn't on fire ._.;; (If anyone gets that refference, they get a cookie)

  • @trainlover658 hahahahahaha good one!

  • "mommy can i have one of those please?" :)

  • AWESOME! they dont make em like that anymore!

  • Magnificent!!

  • Absolutley brilliant, very orgasmic, I could watch this all day.

  • I'm confident the dislikes are because you don't cover the whole train to give the hierarchy of the engine. You kept the camera on the engine for the whole 20 minutes, you gotta figure out filmography means including the full picture, all the elements of a subject. You gotta work on filmography.

  • @Zahn ... who cares about filmography. Skip Weythman is dedicated to bringing the best when comes to chasing the UP steam locomotives. He captures these breathing, living machines better than anyone.

  • @werksdesign Most of his filmwork is good, this one was bad.

  • @Zahn ... oh well... I'm one of the 753 who likes it compared to the 21 who don't.

  • Love that sound!

  • "Big Boys" are magnificent specimens of engineering beauty, especially in motion.

    Hope #3985 is being taken good care of and put to work for her keep, machines should be used and maintained to keep them alive.

  • @trespire You do realize that the Big Boys were a 4000 series right? This is a Challenger Series.....they are 2 different beasts altogether. Challenger's are 4-6-6-4 where as Big Boy's are 4-8-8-4.

  • @Simonwannabe Thanks for the correction, I didn't know there was a difference. I don't live in the States but I do appreciate a well designed machine. Articulated steam locomotives appear to have been one of the pinnacles of steam power engineering, a classical example of a utilitarian design solution of form following function, no frills attached, it is what it is while offering no apologies. It's black, sooty & noisy but it fulfills what its meant to do, making it in my eyes a thing of beauty.

  • when i watched the title i thought about the thing completely burning down to the ground misleading title

  • man she is holing ass and the driver of car is having trouble keeping up lol

  • What a majestic beast

  • Thank you Skip, I admire your handiwork.

    I stood at the UP main line X-ing on 09 October 2010 in Sherman, Missouri to experience this sight first hand. AWESOME!!!!

    Remember the MOPAC!!!!

  • Just a shame to hear that much side rod slap... bearings in the old girl are shot!

  • Eine tolle Dampflok, hat die einen Düsenantrieb, hört sich so an? ;D

    Klasse Video! :D

  • @NordButjer ich würd lieber mal die Bigboy in action sehen aber weder ein HD video noch das real life wird mir das vergnügen bereiten :( nur ein paar alte videos :(

  • @xam107

    Leider kann man nicht alles haben, aber wer weiß? :)

  • @NordButjer jo is halt so ^^

  • Fly a SR-71 Blackbird or drive UP#3985? I just don't know.

  • what is all that water being spewed on the 2nd cylinder?

  • @derail14

    The water is from an injector. The water is turned on first, then steam (water on first/ off last). The injector injects water to the boiler.

  • 17:00 for fire

  • @natochizmar530 No, that's normal smoke from the firebox. The fire is visible under the front of the boiler / smokebox at 1:00

  • It would suck if you were in a car and it hit you at that speed.

  • @BucketSeeker.. Don't get a car in front of a train.. EVER>. Any train.. Maybe this will save your life

  • It would be bad ass to be a railroad engineer

  • Eternally grateful to you for uploading this video. Here in the UK we may have had the fastest steam loco, but they could never pull loads like this monster.What a beautiful piece of engineering!!!

  • Why is it that all Engineers seem to use the same whistle "code"? 2-Longs, 1-Short and 2-Longs. That spells "Q" in Morse Code.

  • @erod1944 Its the whistle sequence in the US when they approach a grade crossing, and it's a federal law for it to be sounded that way.

  • I was just waiting for a Curtiss biplane to show up a fly along side !!!!!

  • All show, no go