The Soviet Union's Track Breaking Locomotive: The AA20

The Soviet Union probably isn't the first country you think of when it comes to iconic steam locomotive designs. However, you're probably familiar with the massive AA20 that was built there. While the rest of the world was experimenting with streamlining and modernizing their steam locos, the USSR had power and size on their mind. After Soviet engineers visited the United States in the early 1930s, they wanted to try and replicate American successes with locomotive superpower. This resulted in the one of a kind AA20, a 4-14-4 rigid frame steam locomotive. How well did it work? Well... it's best you watch and find out for yourself.

Music Used:
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Throwback Galaxy
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild - Kass's Complete Theme
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Waddle Dee's Weapons Shop
OMORI - Three Bar Logos
OMORI - Push Shove
Team Fortress 2 - Upgrade Station
OMORI - By Your Side.
Katyusha (Russian Folk Song)

Links:

[AmtrakGuy]

Had to reupload this because it wasn't showing up on my channel page for some odd reason. I think something glitched in the uploading process, otherwise idk lol

[azuraviation]

As a Hungarian (as Hungary's premier locomotives were the MÁV 324 2-6-2 and MÁV 424 4-8-0) its still amazes me how big soviet locomotives looked like. Rather than improving their effectiveness they just scaled them up and in the end they looked very top heavy and bulky lol

[steam]

This engine... was a groundbreaking invention 🥁🥁

[Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

I wonder if the AA20 would have actually worked on the Union Pacific's track (assuming it was regauged accordingly)? After all, the Union Pacific had the 9000 class (4-12-2) in active service from 1926 to 1956, which is pretty good for US steam locomotives.

[BB_Sebring]

Great video as always. Did not expect that the AA20 would be based off a largely forgotten UP loco. Also the use of the Bocchi the Rock! gif at 2:04 was absolutely perfect

[nathancorcoran]

I have heard about the Russian’s 4-14-4 locomotive, and that it had some issues. To me, it appears to be either the same size, or a bit small than the Southern Pacific Cab Forward 4-8-8-2’s, which only one survives, that being 4294 at the California State Railroad Museum. I have seen that locomotive a lot at the museum, since I live not too far from Sacramento, California.

[matthewpowell]

I always am fascinated whenever I see videos and hear stories of this unique engine, despite how infamous it was. I honestly believe that this engine would've been worthy of permanent static display.

[kaiser]

The Omori editing shocked me a little, haha!
Lovely video on this thing. I usually rag on it for being such a failure, but it really was impressive lolol

[-SeventeenF]

1:09 Are you suggesting that an experimental locomotive dreamt up by some recent graduates from the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers was SOMEHOW built in Germany? IN 1931?! You do realize when that was, right? Did you, as you were copying these lines from the Wikipedia page, not notice the "citation needed" mark next to them?

Just so we're clear: no, it wasn't built in Weimar Germany. The Voroshilovgrad Steam Engine plant handled the entire project. Even blueprints from sketches provided by said young engineers were made there.

[SouRwyProductions]

The aa20 was just too crazy of an idea to work. The 9000s were bad enough as is, so it was more of a question over if they could do it than if they should do it. I liked the little segment of Katyusha at the end.

[TheDefiantPirate]

The fact is that the AA20 proved that 12 Driving wheels is the biggest a rigid frame Steam Locomotive could get!

[TheLonelyLurker]

I love this video. Anyways...nice usage of Bochi the Rock anime GIF!

[vcandescent]

I have nothing to add information wise like the others, but the choice of music in your videos are always on point!

[Russ]

There are quite a few videos about this locomotive, how ever, you have video and pictures I have never seen before. Thumbs up.

[jamiethedinosaur]

“I am heavy train guy, and this is my train. It costs 400, 000 dollars to drive this train for 12 seconds.”

[braysfinds]

I know it's not really that related, but I wonder what UP's 4-12-2s would look like if they lowered the headlight to the center of the smokebox. And then put the air compressors on the side like some of them had.

[ThatDiamondGuy]

Finally I get communism and train content in the same video.

[mylesspear]

I would say you did a great job, but since this a video about a Russian train I have to say *we* did a good job. ;)

[STICKGUYMB]

I like ridiculous, experimental locomotives. They're freakin fascinating

[gonzoengineering]

Would love to see someone talk about the electrification of the Soviet rail network. It's one of the most impressive achievements in rail history and, not to get too political but, it's arguably the only reason Russia still has an economy, but every mention of it I see just takes the wires for granted.