How a Steam Locomotive Works

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Published 2022-04-06

How does a steam locomotive work? Well... with steam! But how is the steam made? And how does the steam actually propel the train? These are common questions we receive and the best way to answer them is to see a steam locomotive in action! Using digital animation and NC&StL No. 576 as a model, this cut-away visual shows how math, science, physics, and engineering work hand-in-hand to turn coal and water into physical movement. Check out more from Nashville Steam's Educational Programming at www.nashvillesteam.org/education/

Special thanks to the ‪@NashvillePredatorsNHL‬ and the Predators Foundation for their educational grant that funded this video!

All Comments (21)

@andrewpearce2562 2 years ago

Great video! Looking forward to seeing 576 return to steam! Been following the process from Austria since day 1 👍🏻
@rogerletsom2127 2 years ago

I've watched countless You Tube videos on both real and animated steam locomotives. This is one of the best I've seen!
@ocediis 1 year ago

Wow! This is the best and most easily understood explanation of how a steam locomotive works that I've been able to find! I'm a history nerd, and my current fascination is steam trains (specifically central Colorado railroads). So, thanks for putting this together so we can easily get an understanding of locomotive power.
@normanozwald 2 years ago

Best video I've seen yet explaining the process.
@CSX1973 2 years ago

Nice video
@beepboopclickclick 9 months ago

i used to live near nashville and ive actually seen the locomotive! i can't wait to see the locomotive back running through the middle tn area!
@NW-gi1cp 2 years ago

Huh...neat
@BrianEltherington 2 years ago

Very enjoyable to watch. Thanks!
@CMoth 6 months ago

This was really helpful as I plan to write a fantasy story centered around train travel. Thanks!
@northpennvalleysteamrailroad 2 years ago

Awesome animation style!
@BarredCoast0 2 years ago

Very entertaining video!
@quasimoto7662 2 years ago

Nice animation. 576 is going to look great in operation Hopefully one day it’ll return to being a Yellow Jacket
@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard 2 years ago

Nice one.
@tennesseevalleyrailfanner 2 years ago

5:43 That's one cool animation! Is that what 576 will look like when it is restored?
@Mr.Broski_314 1 year ago

bro was about to get cancelled at 0:40... But in all seriousness this is great teaching of how locomotives work
@mariahhaarstick591 2 years ago

Beautiful
@heinzriemann3213 1 year ago

Great explanation! What an ingenious invention.
@adamkowalski1226 2 years ago

Now i can replicate the lbscr e2 This is for you, thomas.
@saxonaudio 2 years ago

Wow!
@stigbengtsson7026 6 months ago

Wow! What a machine, and what a nice job 👍😎👍 The best wh. from Sweden.