SP4449 0 to 60 mph in about 5 min.

[collierjohn33]

i think i can i think i can i think can i can love the train

[Thecarguy1254]

Hahaha. And I thought my Toyota 4runner was slow to 60 @ 11.5 seconds. lol

[TheSouthern4501]

take that P42 off she doesnt need help

[3985gtasa]

@TheSouthern4501 that is for extra braking.

[IAMOldNick]

I love listening to a diesel working through the hills at night, but a steam train is just so ....organic. You can _feel_ it working for speed.

So all that steam at the station _was_ showy BS. When the going gets serious, as little fuss as possible. :D

[MrFlemball]

How can this be a big deal with a diesel loco pushing him?

[danwat1234]

@MrFlemball The Amtrak locomotive was probably in "notch 3" to just generate electricity for the cars but nothing to the traction motors.

I think the steam locomotive could have gotten up to speed a lot quicker but maybe the engineer was trying to be easy on it.

[Organgrinder1010]

One of the finest pacing videos I've seen on the 4449! Thanks!

[SuperMario6419]

How did he do that, record the train while driving the car, how?

[teamfab]

She breaths,she lives, she's beautiful..

[Beun007]

@teamfab she can't only fuck LOL

[teamfab]

@Beun007 Yes..if only in a perfect world lolol...

[skybluedragonator]

I just want to tell you that SP 4449 was not the polar express. Pere Marqiete # 1225 was. Very Nice video!

[SuperMario6419]

@skybluedragonator I already knew that.

[skybluedragonator]

@SuperMario6419 well i wasnt telling you.

[newrevlogsplitter]

Great video.

[TheSheepJEEP]

kill yourself

[staydput]

BTW, the SLOW start is NOT due to the power of the engine. It's entirely due to how much torque the drive wheels can deliver to the road.

IF the engineer were to really open it up at start...

The wheels would melt/weld into the track.

D-E has a faster acceleration because the engineer can take the traction wheels closer to their design limit.... THAT is all.

[canders37]

Didn't sound like it was working too hard...I wonder how much the "helper" was helping.

[chefbard]

saw the freedom train at the L A fairgrounds in 76 and my father chaced it around in the middle of the night through LA

[WA1LBK]

Beautiful pacing shots again, Skip! :) Tom

[1339LARS]

What can I say? Thanks Skip for posting!!!!!

[bluejay148]

that was cool

[Trackagerights]

What's that metallic dragging sound at 4:25? I din't here that when they got to Michigan

[The3751FAN]

@Trackagerights its probably the main rods because their moving so rapidly.

[MovieModerator]

Meh. I'd rather see the UP 844 or UP 3985.

[minorot]

Beautiful sound coverage.

[fafnir242]

The 4449 wasn't in the Polar Express. That was Pere Marquette 1225.

[b43xoit]

Has anyone figured out how to tell from watching the valve gear (or by the sound or any other clue), at what point they put the Johnson bar as near its middle position as they would for running?

[b43xoit]

Great title, and great job. Thank you.

[LGTheOneFreeMan]

They better damn well be leavin' that diesel in neutral.

[Psyche777able]

I like to say thank you for a period of yesteryear of beauty,and speed of this Train.

I saw it come through Crockett, California years ago. It was on a cross country

tour. I think it is located in Sacramento at the train museum. Nothing like the sound

and smell of a high speed locomotive and the wind in your face. Love that whistle.

[ford9572]

@edj66 Doesn't burn coal, Burns oil, Never was a coal burner.

[1960llanero]

parezco niño pero esto es bonito yo lo disfruto

[booger313]

i saw this monster going thru indiana on the NS last year headed back form michigan it was at CP 497 i was on the CSX tracks headed east. looked like the amtrak engine was doing the work then maybe on account the city of chicago did not want the smoke in town

[lovingholidays]

Beware of the tree-huggers!

[itnbfzi]

Dang Skip! You followed the 4449 across the country?!? That's dedication! I wish I could do the same. Thanks for all the fantastic videos, not just this one. I must admit I'm partial to the UP 844 although they both looked great on the doubleheaders they ran together.

[bennybore08]

how many coaches/wagons?? does it pull and wots the weight of the train? thanks

[bartybum]

is it 4 chuffs a revolution?

[b43xoit]

Yes. This would be the case on an ordinary two-cylinder (double acting) engine. Some exceptions would be for example the Tornado in the UK, which has three cylinders, or the N&W A 1218, which has four.

[sgtredbluered]

I love acceleration pacing vids Great catch! *****

[trainz675]

i saw her go around 70, on july 18, 2009

[RetSquid]

What is it's top rated speed?

[trainman93]

@RetSquid 110mph

[RetSquid]

@trainman93

HOLY CRAP!!!!

I would LOVE to see that!!!

[trainman93]

we all would but no one maintains the railroads like they did back when she was built. Now it would be considered suicide. max speed on most well maintained mainlines now a days is 79. but back when passenger trains had to get people places it was high ball open the throttle and let it all hang out, we got a run to make.

[RetSquid]

@trainman93

I might have posted it on one of your vids, but have you ever looked up the B&SVRR? Or the Kate Shelly High Bridge? Both are very interesting and unique.

[Xantec]

at that speed, she would be gorgeous! nothing like the majesty of a big heavy steam locomotive "in full flight", and you'd pitty the man with the shovel having to keep the beast fed with coal!

[edj66]

@Xantec Definitely mechanically stoked surely?

[num1ksfan]

love it!

[robby2448]

cool butwhat is the "jet turbine" sound in the background? it fades on and off

[robby2448]

thanks

[johndeeredj]

What I enjoy most about this video is the view of the side rods and the connecting rods/slide rods...as they all blend together to make a perfectly seemless and impressive sight. Great visual perspective of the locomotive in the frame. Lima SuperPower...you really can't beat these machines!

[65f100352]

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,........" What a great sound!!!! Love this video!!!!

[Polybun]

@65f100352 Well, with the 4449 it's more along the lines of "get out of my way get out of my way get out of my way"

With 300psi in the boiler, super heating, a 26" bore and a booster truck, there isn't any thinking to be done, it's going to pull pretty much any load you put behind it.

[fasionbug]

Are you sure that the P42 behind it isn't giving it a hand? Seems like the 4449 isn't really working hard.

[Polybun]

@fasionbug Very possible. It sounds to be in notch 1 or 2. They will often use it has a helper just to stretch the water. Pulling hard the 4449 will consume 200 gallons of water per mile. Water is always a problem on these excursions. Refilling from even a good sized fire hose takes nearly an hour.

[trainman93]

@fasionbug the 4449 has never "worked a day in her life she is like superman of the passenger industry, the only time you will hear her "work" is when you give it a 20+ car passenger train and lead it up a 2.5 % grade.

[4fff]

Great pacing footage!!! I have ridden behind this engine at track speed of 79 miles per hour on a number of previous trips.

[Lightwolf333]

Awesome video.

[mabhekaphansi]

You have one of the best steam loco sites I have ever come across.

[mabhekaphansi]

As always, a great video.

[radiolarion]

Great Pace Video. How did you keep it so steady?

They told me that the engine uses about 100-150 gallons of water and 17 gallons of fuel oil per MILE!

[LeandroMuntendam]

Why don't we have trains like that crossing Holland GODDAMNIT. This is much more fun to travel then those damn stinking diesel engines

[ThatYankeeKid]

Not bad acceleration, and the didn't even appear to be working too hard. Very nice pacing video, 5/5.

[StratCatGenius]

I hope Bachmann has lots of HO Daylights in their warehouse because they are going to be selling tons of them after this summer! Great vid Skip, you the man.

[arrowguy173]

And Kato's N version as well lol

[mmjurczak]

I've got one and it is SWEET ; )

[engineer6325]

Excellent Pace Video!

[jamrozekj]

Thanks Skip - these are terrific videos. Wish I were there.

[AirlinerJockey]

There are a bunch of us in Chicago waiting for her to steam through. There's a good chance she'll roll through the famous double diamonds of Rochelle, IL sometime on Saturday afternoon!

[UPTRAIN]

Good chance...unless they build a flyover at Rochelle by tomorrow, it's going to do just that.

[knight040]

great video what mount do you have for your camera?

[arkansastrash320]

All i got yo say is Man oh Man to get to see her fly by would give me goose bumps.5,500 horse power and speed too.I knew she was fast and heavy but didn't know the horse power was that high Wow.Nothing ever comes through Arkansas but tornadoes.Thanks your vids are Great keep them coming,Paul

[SkipW]

Glad you liked them, I think that there is more mainline steam action this summer than there has been since 1959

[traindude70]

@arkansastrash320 the 844 made a trip to little rock and Fort Smith this year.

[arkansastrash320]

@traindude70 Yeah i know been just as well if it had been in canada or mexico fars me getting to see anything.Thanks for the information!

[Daichan1893]

Again awesome Video Skip!

[trainlover85]

nice video

[trainkids]

She sure can get moving fast!

[ThatYankeeKid]

@trainkids And to think she wasn't even working hard. Had she accelerated under full or almost full throttle like she did in regular service, 60 mph would've come much quicker.

[trainboy32]

awesome video

[ReagonProductions]

Awesome Job Skip!