Classic Steam 1920s to 1940s

[ATSF1927]

I haven't seen Camelback Steamers for some time. Wonderful video.

[monsoon11317]

jersey central got it's coal from the Lehigh Vally (as did the Reading) Anthracite mining produced waste coal called Culm. it burns much cleaner but also slower, releasing it's energy over a longer period of time. This required a larger firebox than the soft coal burners in order to keep the steam up. so a rail super named Wootten designed the Wootten Firebox a larger wider grate which to burn more culm. But it was so wide it blocked the crews view forward. So they put the cab in front of it.

[trainguy3]

wut was the advanntage of a camelack loco anyway? I've always wanted to ask but never got the chance to

[Licmycat]

Could be quieter and more wanted...but that's not what they do HERE in Okc. Looks like nobody wants to go to burned-out Texas which is where it MAINLY goes....we need trollies here, but o-noooooo....! Bitches.

[AlcoholicSemenStain]

Camel backs are stange....

[pianomanmaestro]

Im so glad you added these vids I had the VHS set and it got ruined so its hard finding these VIDS!

[bikeguy98]

There's something magic about steam engines.

[papoocanada]

Must have been deadly to work on these engines, engineer perched near the hot boiler, no space, no air. Aye

[boazrg]

@papoocanada Yes - nothing romantic about the camelbacks if you had to work on one every day! 

[kennjohnsen]

@boazrg

Yes, and nothing romantic about those days if you were working in those days.

[CSXtrackworker]

@kennjohnsen Nothing romantic about the railroad's today either. It is still tough hard dirty work.

[notalott]

@papoocanada they are insulated, you know. it's not perfect, but it's hundreds of degrees, either..

[thomasVSstewie]

I have this video. Dan Chandler is a awesome narrator.

[Jlingoa]

Thank you so very much for sharing..............Beautiful­, beautiful memories!!!)))

[thomasVSstewie]

I hav this on VHS

[shininghappyperson7]

i have this on a dvd

[rebeljim300]

steam was awsome

[StanierBlack5LMS]

Camelbacks came about through of the use of Wooten fireboxes. Which burned waste anthracite coal. When originally built the cab was centered for clearances due to a smaller loading gauge then in use. However, as clearances became larger the RR's could have pushed the cabs back but that would have cost money so was rarely done. The government eventually passed a law stopping further production because of safety. The PRR tried them and dumped them on LIRR till scrapping

[jimbo2317]

cool 774! Don Wood tried to saver her, but was unable too.

[notalott]

So did GMH.

[RealIndianPrince]

I have this box set .Lots of cool old steam in the five disk set.

[robmasterman]

Fascinating video of vintage US Steam, thanks for sharing..5*...Bob

[SouthernRR4501]

Why did they built camelbacks? For a larger firebox?

[v8pilot]

Yes - some eastern railroads burned anthracite

waste, not much more than coal dust. A huge

grate area was needed if the dust was not going

to be sucked straight up the stack. They had

the idea [not really true] that the big firebox

dictated a cab in the centre for the engineer.

Martin

[mj1234321]

Wow, very cool footage indeed!

[PRR5406]

Classic CNJ Camelbacks! You have to love those man-killers. Note how many people are involved in these fan trip switching maneuvers. The engineers perched on the window sill would send OSHA into orbit!

[Baldwindiesels]

Great footage, thanks for uploading!

[dherbert53]

Thanks for sharing this video...my first experience of trains was at the CNJ terminal in Jersey City in the late 1950's. Dean in Cincinnati

[TrainmasterCurt]

That diesel looks like a CLC/ or F.M H-12-44

[nepete7]

The cab diesels are most likely Baldwin "Babyface" double ender DR-6-4-20. The hood units are FM H15-44s.

[TrainmasterCurt]

So that's what a camelback looks like in action!! How cool, i am thankful that i can still see steam in Manitoba on the Prairie Dog Central