How a Steam Locomotive Works (Union Pacific 'Big Boy')

A thorough examination of a steam locomotive, using the mighty Union Pacific Big Boy as our example.

CREDITS
Jacob O'Neal - Research, script, narration, 3D modeling / animation, music

PATREON

SOFTWARE USED
I use Blender 3D to create these models. It's free and open source, and the community is amazing:

0:00 Intro
00:58 The Basics
02:09 Firebox
04:58 Boiler
07:47 Feed Water / Injectors
10:06 Steam Dryer / Dry Pipe
10:24 Superheater
11:25 Multi-valve Throttle
12:12 Smokebox
14:17 Cylinders
16:36 Valve Gear
19:28 Lubrication
19:58 Chassis / Frame
21:28 Suspension
23:29 Brakes
25:16 Sand
26:11 Cab
29:49 Sight Glasses
31:28 Cab (Cont'd)
33:35 Tender
34:20 Stoker
35:54 Outtro

[Hyce]

This was such a fun collaboration! I am genuinely shocked, and impressed, by your dedication to detail and accuracy! I was... quite the nitpicker. This is the real deal folks.

[ThomasButler-spro]

I'm an old guy, 82. Back in the summer of 1961 I found myself in the UP yard in Cheyenne. There were several Challengers and Big Boys parked here and there. No one seemed to be around so I walked among these giant locomotives, all only recently retired. I remember being dwarfed by the size of the cylinders. When I climbed up unto the cab of a Big Boy, I felt like I in was in a garage. BTW, I now live near Phoenix and was able to see 4014 in Case Grande. I never thought I ever see one run again. What a miracle. Thanks Union Pacific !

[JensSchraeder]

The engineering behind these locomotives is astonishing even today!

[anrox____x]

This is what Youtube should be about. Facts presented in such a way that everyone understands it even if it is complex. I wish I had Animagraffs back in school. Well, never too late to learn. Quality, that's all I can say :D Pure quality :D

[gcorriveau]

My father was a locomotive engineer on the CNR in Canada. No wonder the people driving these beasts were called "Engineers" and not just train 'drivers.' That's a lot of machinery to understand and properly operate! Another fantastic explanation/animation.

[DustyLambert]

Imagine an engineer from the 40s who designed this masterpiece seeing his drawings come to life.

[bryceh]

What a masterpiece of an animation displaying the surprisingly complex workings of the largest steam engines. This work should be submitted to Rail Road museums for guests to learn more about these wonderous machines.

[AsianDragn]

The best use of 35 minutes of my time today. Never skipped ahead once. On a side note, I remember as a kid I used to puff my breath on really cold days to mimic a steam train. I think on rare occasions I still do lol.

[RobertoAHenderson]

THANK YOU jAKE. I AM 66 YEARS OLD, COME FORM A FAMILY OF RAILROAD PEOPLE, AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF STARTING AN OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE AT AGE 15. tHANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT VIDEOS.

[fridaycaliforniaa]

I'm always amazed by the level of engineering they put inside those things. Truly mind blowing.

[AshtonCoolman]

This was engineered on paper with slide rules and protractors. The engineers had a masterful understanding of thermal physics and fluid dynamics to build this. James Watt, Thomas Savery and the other physicists that lead to steam engines we know from the 1800s are owed so much by our modern civilization.

[Youknewthatalready]

Best breakdown animation video I have seen in a while. Imo this deserves an award because of its thorough yet easily understandable guidance thru visualization and narration. Well done!!

[Johnnysboy]

So what your telling me is dudes in the 1800's invented 1/2 stroke 4 cylinder engines with pistons the size of my car capable of pulling 2 mile long trains weighing thousands of tonnes. I never went through a train phase as a kid, but I'm hyped for trains now.

[ragaloft]

Your level of accuracy in animation, honours the many draftsmen, engineers and trades who built these magnificent machines. Well done Sir, well done indeed.

[sanjusardar]

You're a genius. I've never seen such kind of detailed tech animation video. It's unimaginable to me to think how much efforts you give to make a video.
Absolutely amazing👍

[kevinmueller]

I stayed up till 12:30 AM watching this, I took my six-year-old to see 4014 two years ago, and I am looking forward to showing him this video. He named our cat big boy. I only discovered your channel tonight, and I am astonished by its quality!

[johnedwards]

When I was a child (70 years ago) a retired steam engineer and his wife lived in the neighborhood.
In the early days of Harleys and Indians, he proudly road his beautifully maintained BMW.
He still kept manys tools of his trade which included big clunky wrenches.
I knew he was a steam engineer, and always wondered what he did. Now I know.

You did a beautiful job of explanation. Selfless, thoughtful and engaging.

After time in the Navy, I developed high tech training courses for many companies in New England (1972 to 2000+).
Early in my career, I came to recognize writing as the highest form of engineering because it is the practice of structuring ideas on paper. All ir required was pen, paper and what I needed to communicate.
My goals were to convey a large body of complex information with out being present; and to write in such an engaging manner that students continued to read what I wrote without questions while eating lunch or when heading to/from the restroom.
They did this for as much as 40 hours -- completely absorbed. Never more than that.
The only requirement was a Zerox copier.

What you created was beautifully organized, easy to listen to, and complete
-- useful for novice and experienced alike.
Nice job.


Did you watch a short video -- Powers of Ten?
A brilliant film on how to organize ideas.

[railmastergaming]

despite peoples negativity towards steam locomotives, mainly for their pollution and outdated designs, these miraculous machines are far more advanced than we give them credit for sometimes. Even I forget how much engineering goes into the manufacturing of these iron horses. Absolutely loved this video Animagraffs!

[randallreed]

As an instructional designer, I appreciate the graphic effort this project entailed. The narrative was excellent and the coordination between the animation and the narration was superb. This is something to be very proud of. Excellence all around, Jake!

[baTonkaTruck]

This is such an unbelievably good presentation. Every part of this is extremely well done. And above all else, for all our human flaws, the horrors and wars, this is a shining example of the amazing things we're capable of when we work together.