What an outstanding accomplishment, but my favorite part of the video is when Jonathan’s wife says to him, “I’m so proud of you!” That is high praise recognizing his extraordinary efforts to recover and restore these mammoth steam engines to working order.

I knew this day would come from the moment you said "I don't plan to fix it" that day out in the woods. We are all proud of you as your wife said. Congratulations JW.

Congratulations!! It is really exciting to see this huge engine running again! After all the hard work to get it out of the woods, cleaning it and making replacement parts for what was missing you must be really happy seeing it run again. Well done, Thank You for sharing this with all of us in youtube land.

Nice Corliss! Your achievements with this one engine is, for most of us in our backyards, beyond our wildest dreams! Well me anyway. You've set the bar so high that we all know there isn't an engine out there that wouldn't roll over and go ahead and start if Johnathan got ahold of it. Thanks for taking us along for the ride

What an achievement Jonathan! I never believed that I would ever see that pile of what looked like scrap iron, that you dragged out of the woods two years ago, run again.

beautiful! I remember you pulling it out from the mire. Getting the Crain out of the woods and running. I admire your hard working no nonsense approach to all the work you do. You make history live!! I love it.

Jonathan thanks for all of the hard work and trouble for putting these videos out for us. Looking forward to seeing you fulfill all of your dreams.

I remember you bringing this home! I remember the story you told of your efforts over the years attempting to obtain it! I remember you building that structure to set it on! Learning how to make 🧱 brickwork look good! *CONGRATULATIONS* on this start up! I heard your wife expressed her pride!

Jonathan, you, your family and crew have every right to feel proud of this achievement. Very well done and thanks for bringing us along with you on this journey.

Very impressive! That must have been extremely rewarding for you! A dream come true. I watched you drag that out of the woods and have been looking forward to seeing this. Thanks so much for sharing all that you do and for all your efforts to preserve these historical artifacts! Watching the Corliss valve operate is amazing! Something about seeing those big flywheels turning just make you smile!

I am amazed at the work that you have done since you recovered this engine. Just moving it from its old home was a major feat itself. Not counting fixing crane in the process plus all machine work and fab work needed. And you still have your number one fan, your wife.

Congratulations!!!!!! An amazing and well deserved success!! The history your grandchildren and other young and old people will get for the steam age is invaluable. I hope that you know how proud of yourself you should be. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Long time coming Jonathan and more work than most men would take on !!! You should be proud of the fact that most of that stuff was scrap laying outside for many years and you've got it set up and running . As always you amaze me with your talents !!! Thanks for taking us along !!!!

That corliss valve train is mesmerising - watching it go back and forth while the engine breathes is the best mechani-meditation you could ask for! Great work, Jonathan!!! Thanks for taking us along on this ride!!!

What an amazing accomplishment Jonathan ! I watched you pull this steam engine out of the woods 2 years ago , and who would have thought you would not only have it running now , but acquire 30 some odd other steam engines and get many of them running also for practice during that time ! What a Grand finale’ !!! Congratulations ! Gary from Raleigh

I remember when you uncovered this engine and talked about trying to bring it out of that dang swamp, and you went and got that crane, fixed it up, just so you could move this big steam engine. I remember you claiming that it wouldn't run again, but I knew that you wouldn't be able to resist trying to make it operational again, and here we are. I'd say you really accomplished something to be exceptionally proud of, this is single handily the coolest revival that has ever been posted to KZfaq. Great Job Jonathan, hoping to see it it all in person someday soon

Magnificent work

What an accomplishment! Just rescuing that engine from the woods was incredible, which led to the crane rescue and so much more. Jonathan, you are the king of "First starts in years" Congratulations on this achievement!!!!

Guess this is a record for longest time sitting for a "Will it run??" You can't do a "cold start" with this engine. I'd say this is the most amazing thing my great grampa and myself ever saw. Thank you for all the hard work, to show this running again.

Just amazing all of the hard work you put into that engine. With all the missing pieces, you had to make and being able to work with friends makes it even better.

You took a bunch of scrap and bought it back to life. They say a steam engine is nearest thing to a living machine. Thanks for keeping this history alive!

Since the day Jonathon walked into this steamin Rabbit hole this has to be the best video yet seeing the old girl come back to life. Congrats

Once a pile of big rusty metal now a living and breathing beauty what a day to see her fired up and living again. So happy for you guys.

I wish my grandfather was alive to see this. He revived an old steam engine to use for drilling wells. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

... LOOKIN' GOOD, NICE JOB PUTTIN' THE OLD IRON BACK TO WORK, KEEP SAFE

Brought a smile to my face after just watching from across the pond for three years, so I can't imagine how big the one on yours was when it awoke. Fine job - bloody well done to all.

"I'm so proud of you" One of the best things to ever hear from your Wife's lips. Such a beautiful moment right there. This may be a big hunk of metal, but this is what you worked so hard for. Makes me want to shed a tear. Man... such a beautiful sound. Nothing better.

Thank god somebody saved all these machines from being melted down. Vic is a real character, an old sailor maybe??

Man, that machine sounds like me getting out of bed in the morning !

It's people like you that keep history alive.

So happy for your dream to come true .you worked so hard Jonathan. It brought tears to my eyes to see and hear it run.

I love the way you guys work together and make old machinery work again

It has been a amazing journey. From getting it out of the woods till now. All the support vehicles, etc. Amazing job.

Good to see Vic back. Good to see it running again. Y'all make a good team.

Simply AMAZING! Congratulations good sir!

Congratulations Johnathon, that engines come a long way since it was dug out of the swamp! Great to see it going. What a wonderful wife!

Heat, steam the smell of hot grease, the sound.. a heartbeat - she lives is int it wonderful

OUTSTANDING! As an old retired Nuclear Grade Steamfitter it does my heart good to see and hear this old gal running agine! I wish I were there to feel her heart beat as we say in the trades!

What kind of brain invented that machine? Pure genius! I could sit here and watch that machine run all day.

A piece of history saved. Love watching videos like this. Sounds like you got a good woman brother. Sounds like she supports you in what you are doing.

You are awesome Jonathan! :) Thank you for bringing all of us along on this journey! We all knew you would get it running again :) It really is a fantastic engine, and it has a very cool sound to it :)

It's absolutely amazing when a man's dreams come to reality

If I signed in tomorrow and the title read, “Let’s build a space shuttle” there’d be no doubt in my mind that Jonathan couldn’t do it. Awesome!

Aside from all the steam hiss, I love the SOUND the engine makes - congratulations on fulfilling your dream!

What a fantastic achievement Jonathon. You truly are a great engineer. I always knew you would resurrect that beautiful old girl.

This is the best way to preserve history. The love and passion people like yourself has for these devices, to keep them running is a rare and special thing.

Thank you for including us in the FIRST run,been here since you first started this project.THANK YOU AGAIN SIR!!!!!

Congratulations in restoring a legacy and leave a great memory for your grandson.

Now that is something to see running..Never thought it would be up and running so soon.. Well done Jonathan. two thumbs up

Congratulations Jonathan on getting her running again. It was very satisfying watching her come back to life. It's been a long time coming.

You are tickled, Mrs W is tickled and your helpers are as well. Good to see the banter between you and your buddies as well. I reckon I heard a sigh of relief from that engine with every stroke. Another working masterpiece from yesteryear, thanks to you, best wishes from Australia.

Vic bares a striking resemblance to one of my favorite folk heroes, Popcorn Sutton . The only man in history to ever make johnny knoxville blush

I can see why you love these old steam engines. I also love the parking meter.

It's fun to watch these old babies run. They have so many moving parts that you can see. They look almost graceful in their motion

It came a very long way from an abandon engine nearly being scrapped and missing or damaged pieces, a VERY FINE JOB of resurrecting the forgotten American industrial age.

What a great accomplishment. I know you are excited to see and hear that big engine run! Good work guys.

I am so glad to finally see it running. And I am glad it's in the right hands, someone who will keep it alive for future generations to appreciate!

Congratulations! All the hard work is paying off. Thank you for sharing this amazing piece of history.

Jonathon, it is a great feeling to be a witness of your dream, vision and hard work come to reality. Thank you for inviting us on the journey

Great accomplishment! So much work went into this. Very impressive. Thank you for sharing the journey.

Congratulations on getting the Bates Corliss running! What a great job of bringing it back to life. You are truly the steam engine master -

Hard to believe 2 and a half years ago a man looked into the forest at a long forgot piece of machinery. Most would have just scrapped. And said "Yeah I can work with that'. Amazing journey. I hope to see it in person one day

Thanks. What a great engine. My Dad, Marvin, loved steam engines and Frick Sawmills. He was born in 1907. I feel like he’s watching this with me.

Congratulations on a job well done! A little emotional watching her roar back to life.

Johnathan I've been watching you for a couple years now. I've never been more impressed than I am with this video. I never would have believed it was possible. I remember you pulling it out of the woods thinking that is junk for sure. Well done!

I want to help with your KZfaq algorithm, but there's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, other than thanks for showing what a dream, perseverance, hard work, education, and the help of others can accomplish. EDIT: I was just thinking. Here Jonathan dug tons of cast iron scrap out of soggy fields and reassembled these and recast other cast-off scrap into running and working steam engines...I today locked my keys in the car and rummaged in a junk drawer for a spare key, and dug out of the drawer a "broken" key fob for the car, opened it up and found the micro switch was jammed, freed the microswitch up, put a fresh battery in it and voila' , the abandoned key fob opened the car door and I didn't have to call a locksmith...almost the same thing😜

What your wife said sums it up, you are saving history for everyone, with out you it gone? Top and bottom of it all. Thank you from us in the UK 🇬🇧 👍

I can only imagine how you feel after wanting to rescue this engine and actually doing it 25 years later and then actually running it on steam. Good job !

Who first told you this machine existed? It must have someone who cared a lot. My Dad would Whoop "Well Hot Damn and Hallelujah "

I've watched a few of your 1st starts (the Cadillac and the engine for your crane were really impressive), but I can see why this one would be The Big One. A lifetime of trying to get it, then 2 more years of working on it...I salute you.

Thank you Jonathan. You have the best crew of naughty boys helping😂😂😂😊

How satisfying to finally see that big flywheel turning under its own power! Nice work, Jonathan.

To me these are the kind of people who built America! And probably the ones that will rebuild America! You put power generation on the other end of this what grid ? This applies to the hole world 👍🏻 God bless from Australia 🇦🇺✝️☦️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Seeing you rescue this engine and make all the missing parts and pieces it’s really amazing to finally see it up and running!! You are so talented and determined!! Love your videos and always looking forward to seeing what’s next.

You should really be proud of what you've done here. It's almost as if you can hear the old girl giving a sigh of relief as it runs.

Wow !! A super CONGRAT'S to you Jonathan !!! This one is the inspiration of your entire collection/display there isn't it ??? I remember when you were dragging it out of the woods and said "lots of it is missing!! I don't expect to ever run. Especially, on steam. If I ever get a big enough air compressor, maybe on air". Well, here we are, you have "personally" overcome all of the missing parts, and it's running ------------- on steam !!! A HUGE accomplishment !!! Not to mention all the other engines, boilers, and buildings you have created in the meantime !!! "Jonathan's Southern Steam Chest" !!!

That was epic Johnathan, great job! It's amazing how far this engine has come, from forgotten in the woods, to running is something anyone could be proud of.

Congratulations !!! What an epic accomplishment/journey this one has been ! Can't wait to see more of it !

Great job!!! You've worked so hard it's great to see the old girl come back to life. I could watch it run all day. Thanx for keeping the past alive.

When I first started watching this channel it was old Cars. Then came rebuilding Hi-lo's & digging dredge line buckets out of the Woods. Now 100+ Year old Steam Engines. I didn't really have an interest at first. But I do enjoy each episode, & never seen one Man work so hard. Congratulations Jonathan on all the great accomplishments. Your Family should be very proud of you.

“It Runs!” Yes it does Jonathan. I’ve been following you since you first dragged it from that abandoned factory location. You have created your own steam town. You are an amazing man. She should be proud of you.👍

That ladys voice behind the camera is the best piston in Jonathans engine.

Yippee - Yahoo - cartwheels - HA HA HA giggles, YOU DID IT! Finally... from a sad derelict ruined steam engine in the woods with so many missing parts - then searching in a bramble overgrown dump looking for crucial parts and anything else - to hauling your dream engine home - making a foundation - building a protective wooden structure - setting up the engine in its new home, making new parts - plus all the side projects necessary to run this engine - and let's not forget the crane rebuild to assist in this adventure - all of it - Totally Amazing Work by a mechanical genius! BRAVO JONATHAN. WELL DONE.

that wood shed you got built around it is real nice. a lifestyle like this is something i can only ever dream of. yall boys real fortunate to have each other.

Congrats!You are the best example of persistence I’ve seen.

The best compliment I can pay you is to tell you I would stand there for hours watching it totally mesmerized. It sounds like a living breathing servant of mankind. Great job.

Jonathan's wife: 'I'm so proud of you!' My wife: 'What the hell are you going to do with that?' I'm glad to see it running after all those years, and considering where it was located when you finally got it.

I couldn’t have asked for a better gift for my b-day today, then another FANTASTIC video from u J. W.!! Thank You!

Congratulations! This is a landmark occasion right here, to watch that big flywheel take its first turn under steam! We watched you pull this engine out of the woods and now to see it running is a real treat! Many long hours went into all the repairs and fabrications needed, the castings and machining! Thanks for taking us along!

I am really excited to see this run finally!!! When I watched you pull it out of the woods I thought that there was no way you would get it running again. Congratulations Jonathan!

Bringing her back to life, was so very cool.

Man If I lived closer I would buy a ticket to push a broom at your place.😊

That pillow block mount at 23:00 looked like an offering to the gods of steam 😹😂🤣👍 Great job

Well done, sir! Nothing a few gaskets and some packing won't fix.

Stoked to see that beastie running. One caveat I don't think it is possible to over oil when you are starting something that hasn't run in 100 years. That beastie wants to run, that is why you're having such a hard time stopping it. 👍😎

Congrats John, it's a beaut and it'll be a fine engine when it's all painted. Not only did you save this one but you're inspiring others to do the same to other engines. They aren't making any more. Much respect to you and God bless.

That is one hellava ice cream maker . excellent Jonathan.

Boy Howdy ! I do believe this one is the Best first start I have ever seen you do , Jonathan ! I watched when you got it , piece by piece . Heard you talk about all of the years you spent asking about buying it . Then all of the work to set it up properly , make all of the missing parts & pieces . If someone could actually do this , it would be you , sir . Your wife did an excellent job filming it too . That is some kind of wonderful , Jonathan . I know your woman said she is proud of you , but there are a heap of folks , friends , neighbors , & subscribers , who are proud of you too ! I'm 1 .

Congratulations , for not being run in over a hundred years , it ran like it has just been run yesterday , and shut down til you started it up today .

Wow what great job. Your place is like a museum of forgotten technology. I'm sure your wife is proud of you. Keep the videos coming. Congrads!!!