Niagaras were one of the most efficient steam locomotives built. Yet, all scrapped without a single one to make into preservation. So glad we have these films which captured them in their glory.
What is it about steam locos ❓ They seem so human , so alive .... beautiful things , majestic almost , such a crying shame so few were actually preserved ....
At least there was something preserved. The 3001 Mohawk. We have to be thankful about what we have, it may not last forever. Niagara’s and Hudson’s were great, but The New York Central scrapped EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
@@Bolly650 It’s their fault, and they should’ve realized how important the Hudsons and Niagaras were due to the Hudsons streamlined looks, and how useful the Niagaras were. The NYC shouldve taken pride in their engineering legacy, just like the PRR by preserving these beauties for children and railfans to enjoy. Despite being scrapped, they will always be remembered as famous machines that represented the future and how important they were in the history of railroading. I hope, though we can build a Hudson and a Niagara from scratch so that we can correct this grave mistake the NYC made.
It's also of note these machines were designed by slide rules, theoretical calculations, and teams of draftsmen and design engineers. No computers, or automation here, these were all basically hand built machines. While they were maintenance intensive and expensive when compared to diesels, it's hard to ignore their pulling power, looks and sheer scale. It's a real shame none of these magnificent engines were saved and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Wonderful video and thanks for posting it and sharing.
That's really sad. In the UK a number of businessmen were instrumental in saving steam locomotives. These were formidable giants and the ultimate in U.S. steam traction
When my dad was a boy during the depression, his mom would send him to the railroad tracks to glean coal. When a train came by and the firemen saw him, they frequently would toss an entire shovelfull over the side for him.
That's cool, but I feel like he could've been hit in the face by the coal flying at him at like 100 mph and kill him, unless they just dumped it out away from him.
that's not what that's for lmao That alarm is there for safety reasons. Should the engineer, i dunno, DIE, that alarm will set off the emergency brakes. Should that happen in a steam engine, you're out of luck and the train'll keep going until it explodes from derailing.
@@TrolololGaming No, because there would be two men operating the steam locomotive. The only exception would be the Camelback locomotive. They were designed so that the fireman in back was isolated from the engineer. If the engineer keeled over, the fireman wouldn't be in a place to see it.
@@TrolololGaming I'm no expert, but GWR Locos had a warning chime/bell that went off when the locomotive approached a station, and should the reset for the alarm not be set the brakes will apply to stop the locomotive. Best thing is that the chime is a physical and not an electrical piece of equipment (to my knowledge).
2:57 The Mohawk classes were amazing. The fact that one still exists is a miracle (3001). I don’t know why they scrapped all of the Hudsons, they were the most streamlined steamers, and the only remaining piece of the Hudson’s is a singular tender. Sadly, for the Niagara’s, not a single piece of them remains today.
@@fafnir242Both are ironically preserved on the far western side of the old New York Central Railroad, where they made their final stand from 1953 to 1957.
I was fortunate enough to witness these wonderful locomotives whenn I was a boy. I would stand at track level within a yard or two of these huge wheels rolling into Union Station at Columbus Ohio, inhaling the sweet aroma of the steam and acrid smoke. God, it is a memory I'll take with me to me grave. Thank you so so so much for posting this unforgetable video.
Every time I see that lone archway across from the Arena I can Imagine how utterly huge Union Station was. I have seen pictures of it. But Im sure it doesn't even come close to seeing the actual station.
The amount of money I, who was born in 2002, would pay to go back in time to see what you saw is astronomical. You’re a very fortunate individual, my friend
My moms dad died in 1955 while working for the Erie as a fireman, that is all I know of him since mom did not talk much about him and the RR. Being born in 1958 in Spring Valley NY this video brings me much happiness seeing it and thinking that my grandpa could have been on one of these locomotives as the firemen. Thank you for a great video.
These beautiful steam locomotives feel like there human. Theres an element of breathing of smoke puffing like on a cold winters day. A heart beat of pistons and rods pounding. And an actual whistleing sound from the wistle. A fire in its belly and the need for both intake of fuel that had to be physically feed into it. and a drive to move once feed. And move as fast as possible because everyone could use an adrenaline rush/ get to work on time. Its easy to love and relate to theses human like machines. Diesel/electric are robotic and blah. Bring back steam to a new glory.
I can remember seeing the N.Y.C. trains running on the East Side of the Hudson river from my home on a hill overlooking the Hudson in Newburgh, back in the late 50s...we could hear the whistles clear across the Hudson, and see the lights of the passenger cars at night.
I have seen some of these very same locomotives in the rail museums, and standing next to them makes you appreciate their true size and power. These locos were truly enormous monsters on rails.
What is it about steam locos ❓ They seem so human , so alive .... beautiful things , majestic almost , such a crying shame so few were actually preserved ....
All the running gear, the mechanical aspects of these machines are out in the open to see, not hidden behind doors or panels, like diesel-electrics, and can be enjoyed an marveled.
THANK YOU FOR THESE WONDERFUL PICTURES OF STEAM ENGINES. i WAS BORN DURING THE CHANGE FROM STEAM TO DIESEL. i MISSED THE GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM LOVED THESE PICTURES.
I’ll never understand why New York Central failed to preserve one example from each class of Hudson and Niagara type locomotives. Paul Kiefer must have been very disappointed none of his remarkable designs were saved.
NYC was willing to sell its locomotives at scrap price to anyone or any group that would put up the cash. But, no-one did. NYC was in severe financial difficulties in the 1950s and 1960s and could not afford to donate locomotives. A private corporation is there for profit and not to provide freebies to railfans.
To put it simply, New York Central during Dieselization did not want their steam locomotives anymore. They didn’t care to save them. It’s a shame, but it’s not like they didn’t preserve a candidate. We even have a Hudson tender. Edit: Another thing that I have a theory for was that when the Railroads began to fail, before the merging of Pennsylvania and this one, the New York Central scrapped their locomotives to gather as much money as they could to stay afloat. This is a notable reason as to why there are very rare diesel representatives in preservation. They scrapped them in order to get more money, and when that didn’t work, they eventually merged with equally struggling railroad: the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Pennsylvania had a problem as well when it came to their locomotives, they had to sell their locomotives to scrapyards to get more money. But there were preservationists that were willing to either buy them for use or, they were put on display. Knowing the central, putting a Hudson or Niagara on display would be more money than they were willing to spend. There were some individuals who bought their locomotives for static display, and there were possibly Hudson and Niagara offers, but it was possibly rejected by the Central.
@@jppicur I had heard that F. Nelson Blount of Steamtown fame offered NYC twice scrap value for Hudson and was turned down. So who knows the real story.
@@AdmiralColdhead that is probably the case, which is sad to think about but it is the truth and we all know how Penn Central ended up, and it does make sense just the funny thing is that the difference between NYC and PRR locomotives was that PRR engines were basically disposable, so firebox trouble? Slap a new one in there and put it back in service. So the NYC engines meant to last long were beat to preservation by disposable PRR engines…. It’s a cruel irony (besides the 2 Mohawks I mean)
Good video! I find the sheer size of American locomotives fascinating. Also the number of locomotives being prepared for service was remarkable. A really good insight into the age of steam over on your side of the pond. You scrapped your steam trains before we did in the UK. Such a shame, they are such great pieces of engineering.
@@77goofyguy Fastest in North America in steam was the original Hiawatha service on the Milwaukee Road (CMStP&P). This was the only steam operated service that required daily 100+ mph speeds just to maintain schedule.
Another amazing fact in the toy train odyssey - the Hudson 4-6-4 is still far and away the toy train locomotive to buy from Lionel in today's modern era.
The Hudson, one badass machine. Pure function over form. Love it. Thanks for the upload. :)) Over here in the Netherlands they scrapped all steam engines! all!! The locos we have today are all German. It's a shame.
It is to America's Eternal discredit that we that they destroyed all of the steam engines that had years and Decades of service left in them and it's funny how all these railroads were bankrupt in 10 years
Steam locomotive represent an America that was prosperous now we have nothing and our prosperity is nothing but a memory that is fading away God shame this country
Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it, seeing steam next to diesel and the competition for greater pulling. It was the best time for appreciating trains. I am going to model the transition with NYC, NH, Pennsylvania, and the later Penn Central going along the CT shoreline into New York City. So this video really gets the juices flowing! Thank you.
Im so thankful that here in the UK we have numerous heritage lines and preserved Locos and rolling stock so that the kids (of all ages) can go and see how things once were. Its great when you see the look of wonder and awe on a kids face the first time they get close to a stem loco and their excitement when they go for a ride in a steam hauled train. We didn't preserve enough of course but at least we have some.
Wonderful to see the old Locomotives remind me when I came to California in 1947 I won from New York to California on locomotive I still remember to this day, I went through Theresa Grorge
When Timken introduced roller bearings, they specifically outfitted 1 locomotive with them and for a demonstration had a team of local high school cheerleaders PULL IT by ropes. Roller bearings can remove the weight of a locomotive carrying itself and allows that to be transferred into tractive effort. That said and being factual....Me & Bob are NOT pushing that thing. -just sayin
@@TotallyMusicArtistChannel Thats not how roller bearing work, roller bearing reduce the friction between the axel and frame. By lowering the friction you also lower the force required to move it. Its like how putting something on wheels makes it easier to move, in fact its the same principle!
What a FANTASTIC collection of sights and sounds! It makes ya quiver all over like a kid again when you saw them "in the flesh" the first time! You can almost smell the coal smoke and hot steam oil, feel the heat, ground shake,AHHH! Who cares if the exhaust beat doesn't quite the wheel revs! I loved it, Thanks for posting.
As someone from Toledo, OH who lived for a while around Rochester, NY, and who now lives in Chicago, I have driven the entirety of the Water Level Route and it sort of traces a lifetime for me...
Outstanding video! Have never seen steam trains quite like this! Born 1953 here. Thank You very much! BTW, I remember CNWs Pacifics here in my wee childhood in Chicago!
It is a wonderful thing that we have the ability to view these videos of actual history, and see a world now long gone and abandoned. I would have loved to be able to see a NYC Niagra for real, especially since it was a technological achievement unequalled by any other steam locomotive in power and efficiency. One can only wonder what might have happened if the steam locomotive had been oil fired and designed to make the most perfect use of the boilers that had never been designed for anything but burning coal. Our technological prowess today should not be so arrogant as to imagine itself any less subject to being rendered obsolete than were the majestic Niagra Locomotives of the late 1950's. Now realize the world's greatest fortune exceeding all the others by 1890 was amassed by a man and later his son who died illiterate, never advanced beyond the fifth grade in school. The son was once considered by his illiterate father 'Too Stupid' to become anything but a farmer, and so the old man bought his son a farm on Staten Island, intending to leave the fortune to a son who died before the old man did. That Fortune was the product of No Income Tax, and the Monopoly private ownership of the New York Central that required all passengers, mail and freight traveling between New York and Chicago to be carried by The Vanderbilt's Personal Railroad, The New York Central.
15:58 CNJ!! :) 16:25 Fanwood, NJ....I grew up nest door in Plainfield, live now two towns west of there! But that footage looks more like Roselle. Dunellen is the town between Plainfield and Middlesex, where I now live. Ahh, CNJ Camelbacks!! Loving the Whole vid, not just my home turf!
Some folks ask me, “Mark why the steam engines, they’re so old timey” Besides the mechanical aspect.... They are making 6000hp boiling water...... that’s impressive I don’t care who ya are!
I used to engineer on steam ships, 30 to 60 thousand hp boiling water was not uncommon, but you might get a shock at the fuel bill. 6 oil might cost less, but we used a lot. The turbines were dead reliable, the diesels, less so. Have fun
I don't know if many people noticed, but in many cases, the sound was added to the picture. If you listen to the "choo-choo's" and look to the driver wheels, you will notice they don't correspond. (There is supposed to be 4 "choos" per wheel turn.)
Wonderful quality footage of incredible locomotives, very surprising that no Hudsons or Niagaras are preserved, perhaps the UK example of building new ones from scratch could be followed, as with the A1 pacific Tornado?
Not a chance. There is no facility in North America and, perhaps, in the industrial world capable of producing the massive and complex steel frame castings with integral cylinders. Tornado is still a simple plate-frame engine -- easy 19th Century technology.
@@jppicur actually there is a Northern sized steam locomotive, currently being built from scratch, it's called the PPR T-1 Trust, engine no.5550. The T-1 is a duplex and has a ridgid frame, similar to a Northern. The only difference is that a T-1 is a duplex. Building a Northern from scratch in today's world is possible. The hard part is raising the money. I'd Check out The T-1 Trust if you are interested. It is possible to do the same with a Niagara, problem is getting enough public interest.
Only those who remember our now atrophied industrial might from the fifties will realize how far we have declined as an economic entity. Heaven help our young people.
That's what happens when greedy racists gut tax revenue and destroy union representation for the workers that make those products. Pure utter and complete Republican greed and racism.
William Barnett-Lewis: De-industrialization began after WWII, during which the USA had Hyper-industrialized because of the needs of WWII. In the railroad industry alone, automation, roller bearing axles, and dieselization did away with hundreds of thousands of once secure railroad jobs. Over two million Americans - many of them Americans of color - worked on railroads in the 1920's. Today that number is less than 200,000, and dropping all the time. Much the same can be said for our other traditional smokestack industries. I worked in heavy industry, as did my father. My uncles worked in steel mills and on the railroads. All the places my father, my uncles and I worked at are now abandoned buildings. I caution you and those like you: You cannot solved critical national problems by labeling your opponents (And Democrat Bill Clinton sold NAFTA to Congress; no Republican President could ever have done this!) as "Racists" and "Facists." Peace.
Amtrak, consistently four hours late for the past forty years. My parents told me about how it would take a half hour to make a hour long car trip on the trains. They were fast and efficient.
The made-in-china fanatics are to blame. Just because the world market is there, doesn't mean everyone must hop on the _cheap and easy_ bandwagon. Tools made in china are dangerous and should be outlawed. Especially drill bits and grinding discs.
I've watched this video hundreds of times and I really like it. I'm predisposed to liking an NYC video anyway, since I'm a Reading fan first and foremost and up until Penn Central NYC was a VERY important RDG ally in terms of both ownership of RDG stock and being the second largest freight interchange partner (at Williamsport/Newberry). But the Central had a lot to offer on its own, and this video shows the best. The super power Hudsons and Niagras. The almost super power Mohawks of which the Lima built L-4b's were the ultimate expression. The early diesels. But this guy, God love him. He LOVES(Loved) the NYC: "The ULTIMATE dual service locomotive." (4-8-4) "The world has never seen their equal." (4-8-4). "The greatest (coal) capacity in the WORLD." (4-6-4). I LOVE it when anyone is this crazy about their favorite railroad. Because so many of us not only LOVE trains, but our FAVORITE railroads. For me the READING. And my next tier faves: CNJ, B&O, Santa Fe and NEW YORK CENTRAL.
Imagine the engineer that is driving it; he has to stay in that small cab mounted on the side of a boiler that is at 250 F or more. Its like sitting inside an oven, that's why he is hanging out of the window most of the time.
Odd that many here lament the passage of a time gone by which they consider 'better days', yet at the same time express gratitude color film exists of these old engines! As for the notion men were 'real men' back then, well there's plenty of real men in America today. The difference is that they go home to their families every night due to improved safety standards. Doesn't make them any less men.
Not sure I agree. We’ve raised a generation of entitled pussies, expecting hand outs and living with mom and dad in their 30s. I know more than a dozen personally.
@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory Hmmm, not exactly. The FEF class had over 2000 lbf higher in tractive effort compared to the Niagara, so 844’s class were a bit better in terms of tractive effort
Tho I'm pretty sure that sequence at 6:18 was on the pre-CTC Toledo Div in western Ohio, I'd love to know exactly where. That guy was definitely at, and prob exceeding the timetable speed of 80!!
I'll be honest, i'm sad about the niagara's being gone. Yes they challenged the diesel itself but it cost alot to maintain them and keep them running. I may or may not be in a group that's going to build one of these monsters. I will not confirm whether i'm in the group or not but you'll have to find out for yourself.
America is too busy with american idol, smart phones, totinos, obese kids playing video games, political correctness. We don't have time to build an industrial base or have high speed rail. There are more important priorities.
So by the early 50s, these steam locos were being rapidly phased out of service and replaced with diesels. I had to look it up. In Australia, steam hung on for quite a bit longer, into the 60s and the locos were small compared to these giants.
The Niagara was far from the most powerful 4-8-4 in tractive effort, with just 61,568 lbf, but in drawbar horsepower, it was, maxing 5,300 when operated at 290 psi. Pressure was reduced to 275 psi for maintenance reasons, lowing the DBHP to 5,070 at 62.5 mph.
My real name is Michael McCluskey. The New York Central was my favorite railroad. When I lived in Cleveland Ohio from 1965 to 1970, I lived close to the Water Level Route. It ran from the Collinwood yard, crossed the Cuyahoga river on a lift bridge close to the Lake Erie, then past the Cleveland airport and through Berea.
Niagaras were one of the most efficient steam locomotives built. Yet, all scrapped without a single one to make into preservation. So glad we have these films which captured them in their glory.
What is it about steam locos ❓ They seem so human , so alive .... beautiful things , majestic almost , such a crying shame so few were actually preserved ....
At least there was something preserved. The 3001 Mohawk. We have to be thankful about what we have, it may not last forever. Niagara’s and Hudson’s were great, but The New York Central scrapped EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
@@Bolly650 It’s their fault, and they should’ve realized how important the Hudsons and Niagaras were due to the Hudsons streamlined looks, and how useful the Niagaras were. The NYC shouldve taken pride in their engineering legacy, just like the PRR by preserving these beauties for children and railfans to enjoy. Despite being scrapped, they will always be remembered as famous machines that represented the future and how important they were in the history of railroading. I hope, though we can build a Hudson and a Niagara from scratch so that we can correct this grave mistake the NYC made.
@Ben Chuft Maybe one a trust will be established to rebuild a working replica.
@@Bolly650 Don't forgot about 2933
It's also of note these machines were designed by slide rules, theoretical calculations, and teams of draftsmen and design engineers. No computers, or automation here, these were all basically hand built machines. While they were maintenance intensive and expensive when compared to diesels, it's hard to ignore their pulling power, looks and sheer scale. It's a real shame none of these magnificent engines were saved and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Wonderful video and thanks for posting it and sharing.
Early diesels were designed with slide rules as well.
@2022-Matthew Baker But diesels have a thermal efficiency more than twice that of steamers. And while coal may be cheaper, it's not 7 times cheaper.
That's really sad. In the UK a number of businessmen were instrumental in saving steam locomotives. These were formidable giants and the ultimate in U.S. steam traction
Feliciana Delacruz Two of the Mohawks still exist today, sasly they both don’t run and probably never will.
@@mikeytrains1 If Northfolk SOuthern cares to pull a bigboy with them, they could.
When my dad was a boy during the depression, his mom would send him to the railroad tracks to glean coal. When a train came by and the firemen saw him, they frequently would toss an entire shovelfull over the side for him.
Thats amazing!
That's like people did in the UK, too.
That's cool, but I feel like he could've been hit in the face by the coal flying at him at like 100 mph and kill him, unless they just dumped it out away from him.
@@cf1925 One stands farther back from the tracks and then moves in after the train has passed.
@@WWZenaDo Oh, thanks!
That must have been like piloting a rocket ship going over 100 mph... a tribute to the track crews who kept the track in such superb condition!
Yes the platelayers had their work cut out!
To go 100mph + in a fully loaded steam engine....you might as well say they were going Mach 5, It sounds impossible
@@K-Effect And they could go 120mph -- imagine seeing that fly by!
@@Raptorman0909 Yea close to the speed of Mallard
@@ArnavKhode -- Most ducks fly at between 45mph and 55mph -- the fastest duck ever measured was a Merganser at 100mph (paced by an airplane).
I find it funny that steam locomotives kept two men fully occupied, yet Diesels are so boring they have to have an alarm to keep the engineer awake.
that's not what that's for lmao
That alarm is there for safety reasons. Should the engineer, i dunno, DIE, that alarm will set off the emergency brakes. Should that happen in a steam engine, you're out of luck and the train'll keep going until it explodes from derailing.
Railroading used to keep thousands of men fully occupied and their families fed. Nowadays it's just a computer problem.
all they do is moan for their fitters
@@TrolololGaming No, because there would be two men operating the steam locomotive. The only exception would be the Camelback locomotive. They were designed so that the fireman in back was isolated from the engineer. If the engineer keeled over, the fireman wouldn't be in a place to see it.
@@TrolololGaming I'm no expert, but GWR Locos had a warning chime/bell that went off when the locomotive approached a station, and should the reset for the alarm not be set the brakes will apply to stop the locomotive. Best thing is that the chime is a physical and not an electrical piece of equipment (to my knowledge).
Anyone feel a thrill when the steam train whistle sounds off?
Oh YES👍🏼
I still get a tear in my eye when I hear an old train in the night.
2:57 The Mohawk classes were amazing. The fact that one still exists is a miracle (3001). I don’t know why they scrapped all of the Hudsons, they were the most streamlined steamers, and the only remaining piece of the Hudson’s is a singular tender. Sadly, for the Niagara’s, not a single piece of them remains today.
There are two, actually. #2933 is at the Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Missouri.
The NYC was bankrupt. They didn't have the luxury of spending money on historic preservation.
@@fafnir242Both are ironically preserved on the far western side of the old New York Central Railroad, where they made their final stand from 1953 to 1957.
@@JonAschenbrenner Most notably in Ohio and Indiana in the 50s, Herron Rail has footage of Hudson 5413 one of the last in service in 1955
It's a good thing we have both Mohawks 2933 and 3001 preserved.
I was fortunate enough to witness these wonderful locomotives whenn I was a boy. I would stand at track level within a yard or two of these huge wheels rolling into Union Station at Columbus Ohio, inhaling the sweet aroma of the steam and acrid smoke. God, it is a memory I'll take with me to me grave.
Thank you so so so much for posting this unforgetable video.
you got me there bud grate gob that is noy carcasim
Every time I see that lone archway across from the Arena I can Imagine how utterly huge Union Station was. I have seen pictures of it. But Im sure it doesn't even come close to seeing the actual station.
I saw them go by Vermilion, Ohio
At 5:52 just where is that? I grew up in Columbus and that building to the right rings a bell but can not place it.
The amount of money I, who was born in 2002, would pay to go back in time to see what you saw is astronomical. You’re a very fortunate individual, my friend
Nice to see freight cars without all of that awful graffiti on them. Love the cabooses too!!
Norfolk Southern uses 3 cabooses still in the railyard up above my home.
A lot of the sounds used here came from the record titled "Rainy Nights along the tracks of the New York Central"
My moms dad died in 1955 while working for the Erie as a fireman, that is all I know of him since mom did not talk much about him and the RR. Being born in 1958 in Spring Valley NY this video brings me much happiness seeing it and thinking that my grandpa could have been on one of these locomotives as the firemen. Thank you for a great video.
Seeing the camera crew move out of the way while the locos are at work is funny the locos are saying work don’t stop
Love seeing these old steam locomotives! I was born 1951 and most of my memory was diesels.
These beautiful steam locomotives feel like there human. Theres an element of breathing of smoke puffing like on a cold winters day. A heart beat of pistons and rods pounding. And an actual whistleing sound from the wistle. A fire in its belly and the need for both intake of fuel that had to be physically feed into it. and a drive to move once feed. And move as fast as possible because everyone could use an adrenaline rush/ get to work on time. Its easy to love and relate to theses human like machines. Diesel/electric are robotic and blah. Bring back steam to a new glory.
Well, each individual steam locomotive has a heart of some sort, so it would not be worth breaking its heart.
I can remember seeing the N.Y.C. trains running on the East Side of the Hudson river from my home on a hill overlooking the Hudson in Newburgh, back in the late 50s...we could hear the whistles clear across the Hudson, and see the lights of the passenger cars at night.
:lol: now amtrak uses that route.
Sounds amazing, would have loved to see something Iike that
(8th like)
Damn, @DD890 you are one of the *Luckiest* children to-day.
DD890 What a beautiful and evocative memory scene you draw of your childhood home. You are to be envied.
I have seen some of these very same locomotives in the rail museums, and standing next to them makes you appreciate their true size and power. These locos were truly enormous monsters on rails.
What is it about steam locos ❓ They seem so human , so alive .... beautiful things , majestic almost , such a crying shame so few were actually preserved ....
All the running gear, the mechanical aspects of these machines are out in the open to see, not hidden behind doors or panels, like diesel-electrics, and can be enjoyed an marveled.
Charles Heath 💯 Charles ...
In a way, they WERE alive!
Thomas
All steam power is like that
THANK YOU FOR THESE WONDERFUL PICTURES OF STEAM ENGINES. i WAS BORN DURING THE CHANGE FROM STEAM TO DIESEL. i MISSED THE GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM LOVED THESE PICTURES.
I’ll never understand why New York Central failed to preserve one example from each class of Hudson and Niagara type locomotives. Paul Kiefer must have been very disappointed none of his remarkable designs were saved.
NYC was willing to sell its locomotives at scrap price to anyone or any group that would put up the cash. But, no-one did. NYC was in severe financial difficulties in the 1950s and 1960s and could not afford to donate locomotives. A private corporation is there for profit and not to provide freebies to railfans.
@@jppicur Sad! Would have been great to see one still around! I mean, we have two PRR K4s but not a single Hudson to go with them!
To put it simply, New York Central during Dieselization did not want their steam locomotives anymore. They didn’t care to save them. It’s a shame, but it’s not like they didn’t preserve a candidate. We even have a Hudson tender.
Edit: Another thing that I have a theory for was that when the Railroads began to fail, before the merging of Pennsylvania and this one, the New York Central scrapped their locomotives to gather as much money as they could to stay afloat. This is a notable reason as to why there are very rare diesel representatives in preservation. They scrapped them in order to get more money, and when that didn’t work, they eventually merged with equally struggling railroad: the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The Pennsylvania had a problem as well when it came to their locomotives, they had to sell their locomotives to scrapyards to get more money. But there were preservationists that were willing to either buy them for use or, they were put on display. Knowing the central, putting a Hudson or Niagara on display would be more money than they were willing to spend. There were some individuals who bought their locomotives for static display, and there were possibly Hudson and Niagara offers, but it was possibly rejected by the Central.
@@jppicur I had heard that F. Nelson Blount of Steamtown fame offered NYC twice scrap value for Hudson and was turned down. So who knows the real story.
@@AdmiralColdhead that is probably the case, which is sad to think about but it is the truth and we all know how Penn Central ended up, and it does make sense just the funny thing is that the difference between NYC and PRR locomotives was that PRR engines were basically disposable, so firebox trouble? Slap a new one in there and put it back in service. So the NYC engines meant to last long were beat to preservation by disposable PRR engines…. It’s a cruel irony (besides the 2 Mohawks I mean)
Good video! I find the sheer size of American locomotives fascinating. Also the number of locomotives being prepared for service was remarkable. A really good insight into the age of steam over on your side of the pond. You scrapped your steam trains before we did in the UK. Such a shame, they are such great pieces of engineering.
120 mph behind steam would be an interesting experience, to say the least....
Fastest train service in North America I believe. I don't know if the very limited Acela can do this now.
They want train service to improve? Run it more like this!
@@77goofyguy Fastest in North America in steam was the original Hiawatha service on the Milwaukee Road (CMStP&P). This was the only steam operated service that required daily 100+ mph speeds just to maintain schedule.
Gene The Acela can and does regularly exceed 125mph without breaking a sweat.
The N&W J's could hit 106 MPH!
Another amazing fact in the toy train odyssey - the Hudson 4-6-4 is still far and away the toy train locomotive to buy from Lionel in today's modern era.
I love that this video Captures so much History!!
I'm ever so thankful that you posted this video. The memories it brings back to me. Those were better days.
Oooo the Niagaras are so neat looking.
The Hudson, one badass machine. Pure function over form. Love it.
Thanks for the upload. :))
Over here in the Netherlands they scrapped all steam engines! all!!
The locos we have today are all German.
It's a shame.
Maybe but learned some in Pennlyannia town have museum of train but asked me for sure streams trains well look up yourself that found aground.
Belgium still haves their steam trains
It is to America's Eternal discredit that we that they destroyed all of the steam engines that had years and Decades of service left in them and it's funny how all these railroads were bankrupt in 10 years
Steam locomotive represent an America that was prosperous now we have nothing and our prosperity is nothing but a memory that is fading away God shame this country
Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it, seeing steam next to diesel and the competition for greater pulling. It was the best time for appreciating trains. I am going to model the transition with NYC, NH, Pennsylvania, and the later Penn Central going along the CT shoreline into New York City. So this video really gets the juices flowing! Thank you.
Im doing mine based on the late 30's early 1940's PRR the hey days.
Peter Norkawich !
UA-cam/sawmills
I am now 75 and this film on steam engine on the rails reminds me when I was a young child
Im so thankful that here in the UK we have numerous heritage lines and preserved Locos and rolling stock so that the kids (of all ages) can go and see how things once were. Its great when you see the look of wonder and awe on a kids face the first time they get close to a stem loco and their excitement when they go for a ride in a steam hauled train. We didn't preserve enough of course but at least we have some.
Tango6nf 💯👍🏼
Wonderful to see the old Locomotives remind me when I came to California in 1947 I won from New York to California on locomotive I still remember to this day, I went through Theresa Grorge
Holy crap 8:10 that's nuts. "Aight Fred! you and Bob push her into the siding!"
sorry 8:02
When Timken introduced roller bearings, they specifically outfitted 1 locomotive with them and for a demonstration had a team of local high school cheerleaders PULL IT by ropes. Roller bearings can remove the weight of a locomotive carrying itself and allows that to be transferred into tractive effort. That said and being factual....Me & Bob are NOT pushing that thing. -just sayin
@@TotallyMusicArtistChannel Thats not how roller bearing work, roller bearing reduce the friction between the axel and frame. By lowering the friction you also lower the force required to move it. Its like how putting something on wheels makes it easier to move, in fact its the same principle!
Awesome video!
2(two) men could push the Niagara with tender because of precision machining and balancing of moving parts....woah!! did you hear that kids!!
What a FANTASTIC collection of sights and sounds! It makes ya quiver all over like a kid again when you saw them "in the flesh" the first time! You can almost smell the coal smoke and hot steam oil, feel the heat, ground shake,AHHH! Who cares if the exhaust beat doesn't quite the wheel revs! I loved it, Thanks for posting.
Great video! The NYC ran by the house where I grew up, lots of memories.
Beautiful video of trains
I love watching these old trains !
There is another water level route video that focused on Elkhart, In to New Albany, Ny. I would watch that over and over as a child.
I love this montage of videos! It captures so much of railroading history and you don’t want it to end. Thank you so much for this!
Thank you , I enjoyed this , massive steam fan from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Good morning
As someone from Toledo, OH who lived for a while around Rochester, NY, and who now lives in Chicago, I have driven the entirety of the Water Level Route and it sort of traces a lifetime for me...
1:40
I am trying to hear the train whistle
Shut up
My all time favorite fallen flag railroad
Fantastic video! A great learning experience also - thank you for sharing the information about the trains 🚂 😁👍💕
Outstanding video! Have never seen steam trains quite like this! Born 1953 here. Thank You very much! BTW, I remember CNWs Pacifics here in my wee childhood in Chicago!
As you think of some people taking a wee on the tracks during their wee childhood.
It is a wonderful thing that we have the ability to view these videos of actual history, and see a world now long gone and abandoned. I would have loved to be able to see a NYC Niagra for real, especially since it was a technological achievement unequalled by any other steam locomotive in power and efficiency. One can only wonder what might have happened if the steam locomotive had been oil fired and designed to make the most perfect use of the boilers that had never been designed for anything but burning coal. Our technological prowess today should not be so arrogant as to imagine itself any less subject to being rendered obsolete than were the majestic Niagra Locomotives of the late 1950's.
Now realize the world's greatest fortune exceeding all the others by 1890 was amassed by a man and later his son who died illiterate, never advanced beyond the fifth grade in school. The son was once considered by his illiterate father 'Too Stupid' to become anything but a farmer, and so the old man bought his son a farm on Staten Island, intending to leave the fortune to a son who died before the old man did. That Fortune was the product of No Income Tax, and the Monopoly private ownership of the New York Central that required all passengers, mail and freight traveling between New York and Chicago to be carried by The Vanderbilt's Personal Railroad, The New York Central.
These days may be long gone but I believe that there’s still a chance to bring them back
Cool video, love this old footage of the old locomotives.
Amazing footage of a by gone era.
15:58 CNJ!! :) 16:25 Fanwood, NJ....I grew up nest door in Plainfield, live now two towns west of there! But that footage looks more like Roselle. Dunellen is the town between Plainfield and Middlesex, where I now live. Ahh, CNJ Camelbacks!! Loving the Whole vid, not just my home turf!
Thank you, really enjoyed it. The old steam locomotives are wonderful to watch.
Great video, and I very much enjoyed the narrative.
Thanks for uploading *most* of this video!! It was a great look back.
Excuse me? More like a *Blast from the Past!*
First time viewer here,pretty terrific video! Thanks .
The railroad jobs up to Schenectady where they manufactured so many locomotives is a testament to how jobs come and go.
Me too.... utterly fabulous footage and upload. Niagara info and coverage so great to finally see. Good job!
Enjoyed every minute of it.......
Some folks ask me, “Mark why the steam engines, they’re so old timey”
Besides the mechanical aspect....
They are making 6000hp boiling water...... that’s impressive I don’t care who ya are!
I used to engineer on steam ships, 30 to 60 thousand hp boiling water was not uncommon, but you might get a shock at the fuel bill. 6 oil might cost less, but we used a lot. The turbines were dead reliable, the diesels, less so. Have fun
Great footage thanks for posting.
I agree with Sue Smith! What is it about steam trains that makes them so special!!! Love that Woo, Woo, Woo!!!
Fantastic video, thank you for uploading this.
I love the Mohawks and Niagaras. They’re so cool looking!
I don't know if many people noticed, but in many cases, the sound was added to the picture. If you listen to the "choo-choo's" and look to the driver wheels, you will notice they don't correspond. (There is supposed to be 4 "choos" per wheel turn.)
Wonderful quality footage of incredible locomotives, very surprising that no Hudsons or Niagaras are preserved, perhaps the UK example of building new ones from scratch could be followed, as with the A1 pacific Tornado?
Not a chance. There is no facility in North America and, perhaps, in the industrial world capable of producing the massive and complex steel frame castings with integral cylinders. Tornado is still a simple plate-frame engine -- easy 19th Century technology.
@@jppicur actually there is a Northern sized steam locomotive, currently being built from scratch, it's called the PPR T-1 Trust, engine no.5550. The T-1 is a duplex and has a ridgid frame, similar to a Northern. The only difference is that a T-1 is a duplex. Building a Northern from scratch in today's world is possible. The hard part is raising the money. I'd Check out The T-1 Trust if you are interested. It is possible to do the same with a Niagara, problem is getting enough public interest.
"Yeah, auto-stabilization sounds good!"
"Why are all the panning shots in my video jiggly?"
Nice to see the more streamlined & modern passenger cars of later years still being steam-hauled after the drab clunky ones of the '20s.
But the heavy weight cars of the twenties with their six wheel trucks rode very well and were well appointed, especially the parlor cars.
NYC water level route steam loco engine is very nice and remember to past days .
14:50 NKP #765 Original Nathan 6 Chime whistle
Thank God people filmed these things. It is outrageous that not ONE Hudson or Niagra was preserved. That is a total travesty.
Great film footage. I liked the narration, straight to the point.
Love those iron beast and sounds, only miss the doppler effect when a train is passing, a sure evidence of dubbing! A great video nevertheless.
Now a 100 mile trip takes 4 hours
Only those who remember our now atrophied industrial might from the fifties will realize how far we have declined as an economic entity. Heaven help our young people.
That's what happens when greedy racists gut tax revenue and destroy union representation for the workers that make those products. Pure utter and complete Republican greed and racism.
Fuck you William Barnett Lewis
William Barnett-Lewis: De-industrialization began after WWII, during which the USA had Hyper-industrialized because of the needs of WWII. In the railroad industry alone, automation, roller bearing axles, and dieselization did away with hundreds of thousands of once secure railroad jobs. Over two million Americans - many of them Americans of color - worked on railroads in the 1920's. Today that number is less than 200,000, and dropping all the time. Much the same can be said for our other traditional smokestack industries. I worked in heavy industry, as did my father. My uncles worked in steel mills and on the railroads. All the places my father, my uncles and I worked at are now abandoned buildings. I caution you and those like you: You cannot solved critical national problems by labeling your opponents (And Democrat Bill Clinton sold NAFTA to Congress; no Republican President could ever have done this!) as "Racists" and "Facists." Peace.
Amtrak, consistently four hours late for the past forty years. My parents told me about how it would take a half hour to make a hour long car trip on the trains. They were fast and efficient.
The made-in-china fanatics are to blame. Just because the world market is there, doesn't mean everyone must hop on the _cheap and easy_ bandwagon. Tools made in china are dangerous and should be outlawed. Especially drill bits and grinding discs.
I've watched this video hundreds of times and I really like it. I'm predisposed to liking an NYC video anyway, since I'm a Reading fan first and foremost and up until Penn Central NYC was a VERY important RDG ally in terms of both ownership of RDG stock and being the second largest freight interchange partner (at Williamsport/Newberry). But the Central had a lot to offer on its own, and this video shows the best. The super power Hudsons and Niagras. The almost super power Mohawks of which the Lima built L-4b's were the ultimate expression. The early diesels. But this guy, God love him. He LOVES(Loved) the NYC: "The ULTIMATE dual service locomotive." (4-8-4) "The world has never seen their equal." (4-8-4). "The greatest (coal) capacity in the WORLD." (4-6-4). I LOVE it when anyone is this crazy about their favorite railroad. Because so many of us not only LOVE trains, but our FAVORITE railroads. For me the READING. And my next tier faves: CNJ, B&O, Santa Fe and NEW YORK CENTRAL.
Nice video I was hoping to see Dunkirk NY in this
Gotta love the sound of an old Iron Horse.
What a shame to see these trains scrapped. They all should have be put in Museums
Sir David Hedden "It belongs in a museum!"
Sir David Hedden At least 2 for each class
I love watching these old steam trains.
Boy, those little Camelbacks had some spunk! - 17:13 ...
Imagine the engineer that is driving it; he has to stay in that small cab mounted on the side of a boiler that is at 250 F or more. Its like sitting inside an oven, that's why he is hanging out of the window most of the time.
It also looks like it was designed for when the Engineer and Fireman didn't get along!! lol
Never seen one before....
love this story
Odd that many here lament the passage of a time gone by which they consider 'better days', yet at the same time express gratitude color film exists of these old engines!
As for the notion men were 'real men' back then, well there's plenty of real men in America today. The difference is that they go home to their families every night due to improved safety standards. Doesn't make them any less men.
Not sure I agree. We’ve raised a generation of entitled pussies, expecting hand outs and living with mom and dad in their 30s. I know more than a dozen personally.
People saw in color back then so , what's the problem of being grateful for that?
wow amazing thanks so much for sharing
I had no idea the Niagara’s were so strong 😳
In horsepower, they were the most powerful 4-8-4, but fell short in tractive effort, with 61,568 lbs.
CLAS..VIDEO !., THANKS YOU for your JOB !. Sal.des.new york city.
I still remember something But I saw the 1st steam locomotive I ever saw
I do not miss the soot and ash everywhere when I grew up in a railroad town
Niagaras looked like FEF-3
but better
@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory Hmmm, not exactly. The FEF class had over 2000 lbf higher in tractive effort compared to the Niagara, so 844’s class were a bit better in terms of tractive effort
The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did BACK in 1954.
Some great footage in there, it's a shame the sound couldn't have been a bit better matched to the film.
Absolutely marvellous footage and interesting commentary.
Tho I'm pretty sure that sequence at 6:18 was on the pre-CTC Toledo Div in western Ohio, I'd love to know exactly where. That guy was definitely at, and prob exceeding the timetable speed of 80!!
Niagras… brutally beautiful looking locomotives.
Neat footage of the old northern branch. Wish they'd put that back into service & get some cars off the road up that way.
Whoever ordered all the Niagagras and Hdsons cut up as scrap, will suffer condemnation for eternity.
theyre honestly probably dead already so ur wish is granted XD
I'll be honest, i'm sad about the niagara's being gone. Yes they challenged the diesel itself but it cost alot to maintain them and keep them running. I may or may not be in a group that's going to build one of these monsters. I will not confirm whether i'm in the group or not but you'll have to find out for yourself.
The British have done it and are building more. It will NOT happen here, there simply is neither the will nor the legal way (insurance).
America is too busy with american idol, smart phones, totinos, obese kids playing video games, political correctness. We don't have time to build an industrial base or have high speed rail. There are more important priorities.
PRR5406 just imagine if we had build and design a locomotive now, that would be interesting
NIAGARA: THE FINEST STEAM LOCOMOTIVE EVER BUILT.
So by the early 50s, these steam locos were being rapidly phased out of service and replaced with diesels. I had to look it up. In Australia, steam hung on for quite a bit longer, into the 60s and the locos were small compared to these giants.
23:45 I did not know that they had computers for trains back then :D
Track geeks commuters*
Railroads were pioneers in the use of computerization, especially with regard to traffic control/signalling. Prototype systems date back to the 1930s.
An excellent video. ♡ T.E.N.
He claims the Niagara was more powerful than the UP's 8444 or the Santa Fe's Northern? Amazing.
The Niagara was far from the most powerful 4-8-4 in tractive effort, with just 61,568 lbf, but in drawbar horsepower, it was, maxing 5,300 when operated at 290 psi. Pressure was reduced to 275 psi for maintenance reasons, lowing the DBHP to 5,070 at 62.5 mph.
My real name is Michael McCluskey. The New York Central was my favorite railroad. When I lived in Cleveland Ohio from 1965 to 1970, I lived close to the Water Level Route. It ran from the Collinwood yard, crossed the Cuyahoga river on a lift bridge close to the Lake Erie, then past the Cleveland airport and through Berea.