It's always nice to see one of these operating. They are just marvels from our past. I see that this Calliope gets lots of attention when playing. Awesome.
I love this sound. I used to listen to the calliope on the Belle of Louisville. I would walk downtown in the morning and hear it floating out across the riverfront. I've programmed my Korg Prologue with a sound that's as close as I can get, steam hissing and slightly out of tune, and I love it. I used this video to help me get that final perfect touch, lol.
@@chesbronz What fuel do they use? Coal?..Are they an ''instrument'' in their own right, or do they go on top of something, like a roundabout or sideshow?..
The one I played originally had a valve with a long handle on it so the operator could open the valve as necessary (especially on warm up). However, that valve had been removed before we got it, so, now I leave that same valve open as you do. I just leave it barely cracked open which is good enough to keep water from building up.
The calliope is so Out Of Tune because it's still cold steam calliopes need to warm up and be played through the scales at least 15 or 20 minutes, the brass the steel and the nickel need to expand and contract and eventually the calliope will be back in tune.
+LectronCircuits What makes the steam calliope so raucous is the change in pitch of the whistle. The longer (or more often) each individual note is played, the more that whistle heats up and expands. The more the whistle expands, the flatter the tone becomes.
That one is on the banks of the Bordeaux River in France without the 57 Mack. Still building new ones. Currently one in Rock Hall on a 30 ton steal boat.
Used to love Listening to these as a child. 😊🎈 Hey, don't give one of these to the steam plant employees downtown Indianapolis !🙃🎹🎈 or the Power & Light company?🤔 maybe too much fun for lunch hour
The calliope is also running at too high of a head the steam pressure is too high and there's too much water in the Trap and in the line which is causing it not to come up to temperature as well
Sounds like a tea kettle convention... j/k it actually sounds quite nice. I didn't care to much for the lower notes though. They just don't sound as "clean".
@gbfreak87 I'm actually pretty intimately familiar with steam calliopes. I was referring to the instrument shown in the video, i.e. the one in that truck, not calliopes in general.
+chesbronz - What is the purpose of the continuous venting of steam at the lower left part of the screen? Is it to drain condensate to prevent gurgling in the whistles? Also, was this calliope being played live on a keyboard, or was it operating under mechanical control, such as a MIDI interface to a computer?
Do you still make whistles and sell them anymore? I have a 3 whistle set up like the Lunkenheimer replica you use to sell on E-bay and wanted another. Please let me know. Thanks.
Yes the bells are on a threaded rod and can be moved up or down a bit. If a A note is 440VPS you may get 430 or 450. The heat also plays a role.Whistles must be tuned hot not cold. Thanks for viewing
A whole new universe of "tempered" tuning. Someone should try playing Bach on this thing. I hope your ears are ready for this !!!
bro I was just about to comment asking what temperament
Yup and I want a steam calliope funeral in the park after I kick it . A slightly out of tune end to a slightly out of tune life.
I'll park myself right next to you, if you don't mind.
@@caesarsneezer6992 no problem
Beautifully said
It's always nice to see one of these operating. They are just marvels from our past. I see that this Calliope gets lots of attention when playing. Awesome.
I love this sound. I used to listen to the calliope on the Belle of Louisville. I would walk downtown in the morning and hear it floating out across the riverfront. I've programmed my Korg Prologue with a sound that's as close as I can get, steam hissing and slightly out of tune, and I love it. I used this video to help me get that final perfect touch, lol.
I was a pastor in Clarksville, and every year in the spring I would open my office window and could hear the Belle's calliope playing.
BTW, is your program some sort of file that would be shareable?
This actually gives me so much hope. Thank you calliope man.
Your welcome. Music will always set your mind straight
come on people this is a wonderful instrument it's fun and has a delightful sound be a little more positive
I do like it. Its just not in tune.
'auh my ears! hahahaha" (microtones!)
sometimes saying less is more, so one word only DELIGHTFUL
by the nature of the instrument and the pipes/chimes getting hot and cold during play, this is as good as it gets.
It makes me smile!...like a wheezy dragon waking up from a long sleep 😘
Oakleaf700 Yes a very thirsty dragon
@@chesbronz What fuel do they use? Coal?..Are they an ''instrument'' in their own right, or do they go on top of something, like a roundabout or sideshow?..
Strangely cute-sounding.
If was perfectly in tune it would not be a steam calliope more like a church organ
Fab ! Love it, must be so wonderful for the people too hear this going down the river.
The one I played originally had a valve with a long handle on it so the operator could open the valve as necessary (especially on warm up). However, that valve had been removed before we got it, so, now I leave that same valve open as you do. I just leave it barely cracked open which is good enough to keep water from building up.
If you wanna hear good calliope music, check out Delta Queen’s and American Queen’s calliopes!
"Let me call you sweetheart, I'm In love with you!!!"
This sounds like old time circus to me.
The calliope is so Out Of Tune because it's still cold steam calliopes need to warm up and be played through the scales at least 15 or 20 minutes, the brass the steel and the nickel need to expand and contract and eventually the calliope will be back in tune.
"you're out of tune trumpets"
Pitch variations make me woozy!
+LectronCircuits What makes the steam calliope so raucous is the change in pitch of the
whistle. The longer (or more often) each individual note is played, the more that whistle heats up and expands. The more the whistle expands, the flatter the tone becomes.
Lol, the guy plugging his ears!
They're loud as shit.
Yes I agree and hope to make changes to them this winter. I know what the issue is! Thanks for the comment
Idk what happened to this calliope but I remember seeing the rock hall one
That one is on the banks of the Bordeaux River in France without the 57 Mack. Still building new ones. Currently one in Rock Hall on a 30 ton steal boat.
@@chesbronz the rock hall is the one I remember seeing
The boiler uses diesel fuel and has a propane pilot. Be sure to check out Little Toot steam launch. Thanks
More to come this summer thanks for your interest!
Can't wait!!!
For those of us who are impatient, the music starts around 1:00
5 years later 1 like from me. Thanks!!!
Burning diesel fuel. They are a stand along instruments that I build check out the boat
SURPRENANT,mais tout de meme avec un certain charme merci pour votre video!!
Something Wicked This Way Comes?
Yes!
Thanks for the ruptured eardrums!
Used to love Listening to these as a child. 😊🎈
Hey, don't give one of these to the steam plant employees downtown Indianapolis !🙃🎹🎈 or the Power & Light company?🤔 maybe too much fun for lunch hour
The calliope is also running at too high of a head the steam pressure is too high and there's too much water in the Trap and in the line which is causing it not to come up to temperature as well
no one cares
@@ponponpatapon9670 speak for yourself. A lot of work went into keeping this machine alive so you could bitch. You're welcome.
Wow, a tone deaf calliope-But it kind of adds to the charm
6:30 Adorable 🥰
The thing sounds great, a couple notes may be out of tune thought lol
Beautiful, great work!
What sorcery is this!! You kiddin thats the coolest instrument in the world!! Can you please tell me the name of the song at the 3 minute mark?
thanks for the kind words
You are right but I would have to put a tee on somewhere so that I can quickly blow out condensate
Sounds a lot better than mine! :-)
Judging it's 661 (Including me uwu) Against 23, I gotta say negativity is OVERRULED!!
You may want to check out the Tangley air calliope made in the 20's
+chesbronz I'm collecting steam whistles. where can you find a tiny whistle like the ones on this calliope?
I know a lot of goes into keep this old girl alive. Thank you.
Pretty good for something so old !
Johnathan, why did CZcams put a "Age-restricted video (based on Community Guidelines)" warning on this instrumental video? I see nothing wrong.
one of Cass Shay engines has a old Chesapeake and Ohio hooter whistle
if you have a steam power river boat! that's where the one I played came from. :)
the second song sounded better it must be hard to tune this beast of an instrument when's it's hot (lots of burns)
Brilliant ❤
Great music!!!
For some reason I find this hilarious
funny 3:59 OMFG laughed at that lol
The last song actually sounded pretty good!
Popeye Theme -
I'm Popeye the sailor man
I fights to the finish
Cuz I eats my spinach
I'm Popeye the sailor man.
Please do a video on how it is controlled.
They should have used something like this in mad max fury road that would have been way better
Wouldn't have fitted too well
Real life Steamboat Willie?
So cute
Beautiful
Yes,Click on chesbronz and you will see the 1957 Mack Truck
that has got to be the most out of tune rendition of yankee doodle dandy I've ever heard hehe
Yeah, tbh this kinda makes steam look like a fool :/
It's the heat. The rapid temperature changes make a proper tuning impossible.
Part of the charm, chump.
Those steam whistles are made from Crosby, and they are soundly.
Gotcha
it was used by stepney's us whistles
1:00 the music starts
Yes I need to edit now that I know how thanks
Sounds like a tea kettle convention... j/k it actually sounds quite nice. I didn't care to much for the lower notes though. They just don't sound as "clean".
@gbfreak87 I'm actually pretty intimately familiar with steam calliopes. I was referring to the instrument shown in the video, i.e. the one in that truck, not calliopes in general.
+chesbronz - What is the purpose of the continuous venting of steam at the lower left part of the screen? Is it to drain condensate to prevent gurgling in the whistles?
Also, was this calliope being played live on a keyboard, or was it operating under mechanical control, such as a MIDI interface to a computer?
as steam cools down and turns into water or condensate whistles sound best when water is a true gas correct gurgling bad yes it midi
Do you still make whistles and sell them anymore? I have a 3 whistle set up like the Lunkenheimer replica you use to sell on E-bay and wanted another. Please let me know.
Thanks.
Oh yes I would also like to find out more.
Needs a tuning, but really really cool!
Fire up the boiler!
This sounds great but I have to note that this is MONSTROUSLY Out of Tune
Even if you start in tune, when the hot steam hits those whistles, it won't sound in tune. It's the nature and charm of the beast!
this cracked me up
is this Beautiful Dreamer ...?
That thing needs to be tuned!!!...
very happy to find this . how do you fuel the boiler?
My ears are not sure
why in the hell is this age restricted
Loooove it !!
uploaded on my 20th birthday! lol :D
20th for you, 30th for me!
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
This one is strange
steamboat75043 Never heard of calliopes?
Lol!! Sure does!
you need a steam trap!
Why is video age restricted
Just out of curiosity, is there a way to tune steam whistles like this?
Yes the bells are on a threaded rod and can be moved up or down a bit. If a A note is 440VPS you may get 430 or 450. The heat also plays a role.Whistles must be tuned hot not cold. Thanks for viewing
Can the uploader (or anyone) provide more information on this particular instrument?
the will start at 1:00
Can anybody tell me what the song at 2:55 is called?
That would be Tom Turpin Saint Louis Rag 1903. One of my favorite Rags
What year is this calliope from?
I built this one about twelve years ago. Thanks
cool lol
Jonathan...it is me playing some of it...bet you can tell which are mine! Shoot me an email and I will tell you all about it!
"Steam calliope" is a little bit redundant don't you think? What next, an air organ?
There are pneumatic calliopes, idiot.
Generic Name
Yes, but those are not calliopes, they are calliophones.
organs practucly use air to generate noice
does someone know the name of 1st song?
Can this be Easily transported?
Tell me what you need and I can make you some.
1:01
Awsome! I want one , but man that is soooo out of tune. my ears :/
Retune it