How Do Steam Locomotives Work - Steam Engines Explained

This was probably one of the hardest things to animate, especially the rods and cranks. With more time I would've been able to fully and properly animate them - but, alas. Time was my enemy.

The video explains how steam locomotives use a fuel (usually coal) to start a fire and get water boiling, in order to create steam, which drives the reciprocating piston. Much like a piston in your car, although there there's one tiny "explosion" that happens when the piston is on the top of the stroke (along with a few other pistons).

In reciprocating steam engines, pistons get pushed and pushed, meaning: They get pushed by pressurised steam from both sides, alternating (obviously). Using this back-and-forth motion, using a smart connection to the drive wheel - offsetting it from the center - you can get that wheel to move. And thus, move the train (and whatever it's pulling).

There are different types of steam engine, the most popular one (and the one used in most steam locomotives) is the reciprocating piston engine. A piston moves left and right, pushed by (super)heated steam. This directly drives the wheels.

A few things were skipped in the animation, such as the steam whistle or how the safety valve works. I also left out the superheater, because of time constraints. Basically, what a superheater does, is run the steam entering the main steam pipe and rerouting it passed the firetubes, thus further heating the steam. This to make absolutely sure the water in the steam is too hot to condens in the pistons.

Of course there is more to the story of locomotives and trains than just how they work, the whole idea of moving cargo by train is interesting. As is the rules of the road - or rail, rather - that apply.

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[shirishyande]

Very rarely such a complex mechanism is explained so simply, making amateurs to understand easily.

[BalticFilms]

There's a new fuel that's just now being used for steam locomotives. It's called torrefied biomass, or "brown coal" which burns hotter and more evenly than coal, and is much, much cleaner. It makes no smoke or soot. They tested this on small steam locomotives at the Milwaukee County Zoo and proved to be successful. A group is now restoring a full sized steam locomotive called Santa Fe 3463. It'll be converted to this new fuel and will run performance tests to see how much more successful steam locomotives could have been. While steam locomotives look slow and clunky, they were very reliable, powerful, and fast machines. What really killed them was maintenace costs. However, because they haven't had a chance to fully develop in their revenue years, it was later believed and proven, that steam locomotives can be just as cheap in labor as diesels.

[akronseabee]

Many of the early "boiler explosions" were actually caused by inattentive firemen allowing the firebox crown sheet to become uncovered and exposing to excessive boiler heat.

[Stussmeister]

As a lifelong railroad nut, I can appreciate a video such as this, and would certainly be interested in a more in-depth video about steam locomotives.

[bhankasjat]

Thanks for giving the answer to the question that haunted me for decades: why does the exhaust smoke made a puffing sound, it could even escape on its own. Well, the excess steam from the piston is responsible. You made my day. SALUTE!

[dieseld]

As someone who has been learning this stuff all their life I can say that this video does a really good job at explaining these things to those who are new to this. Good job!

[pjb]

I watched at least 6 different videos on this process (all of which left me scratching my head) before I came across this one. Here, the process was explained in a clearcut, easy to understand way. Thank you, sir. Well done.

[icjy]

Often wondered, but often been very confused about the whole setup until seeing this video. A clear and concise account of the basics of how a steam engine works. I really appreciate this video, thanks.

[raybohn]

Just returned from visiting a huge train museum. I left confused. There was no one available to explain what I was looking at. Your great art and explanation answered my amateur questions and will prompt me to build on the knowledge that you provided.
Thanks

[CartersTrains]

Most likely my favorite video explaining how steam locomotives work. I mean, I already knew how they work, but I still like to watch videos like this sometimes. It’s just such a high quality video with an easy explanation. Well done!

[sweed]

This was very-well explained as it got all the basics for the functioning locomotive, though it is fine to leave the details of how the rods are also used to reverse by a set of special mechanisms and how the water is transported by the injector and how they work it's good to include it for a future film/video

[alexzander]

This is a probably the best explanation that I've seen on the subject.

[TechEnt]

This is amazing! I've always wished to understand how the locomotive engine works and you explained it in such a simple way I feel like I can make one myself. Thank you, now I love trains even more.

[siddharthshekhar]

We often don't stop to think that things, we laugh at, or have become synonymous with obsolete technology " my old steam powered computer..." are not still completely understood by most of us . I have had a childhood fascination for steam engines. Wish you had made this video longer.

[shabbirluqman]

The way you explain so simply such complex things is really commendable. Well done!

[paulnash]

Fun fact: Some engines actually had two sets of driving wheels! Some of the more notable ones include the Allegheny, Big Boy, and T1!

[jahsiahbowie]

Two words... Great Job. It is amazing to see such complex system explained so simply even I, who knows NOTHING about engineering, understands it.

[owenmeschter]

These are very complex machines, and you explained it in a very clean and simple manner, great job

[tusvinhdang]

Great explanation! I’m searching for references to draw one and this makes it easier to understand. Thank you!

[KathleenDunbar]

I writing a novel set in the old west, and this is the best video diagram of how the steam engine works inside. Thanks! It helps me to understand the videos of trains I'm seeing.