Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

---

Thanks to MANSCAPED for sponsoring today’s video! Get 20% OFF + Free International Shipping with our promo code “PROPERPEOPLE” at manscaped.com/properpeople

Watch as a steam engine installed in 1908 comes back to life after sitting abandoned for 85 years! Our friend Alex Karnes will be our guide to the workings of this beautiful machine, as well as to many of the other mechanical antiquities that can be found within the walls of the water works.

We and Alex would like to thank everyone at the city of Woburn who made this possible, including Mayor Scott Galvin, City Engineer Jay Corey, DPW Deputy Superintendent Leonard Burnham, Plant Operators Scott Johnson and Jon Morales, and the Woburn Fire Department. Additional thanks to John Roderick and Frank Killoren.

Find Alex on YouTube @AEKarnes and Facebook facebook.com/alexander.karnes


theproperpeople.com

JOIN US ON:
facebook.com/theproperpeople
twitter.com/theproperpeople
instagram.com/theproperpeople
reddit.com/r/theproperpeople
tiktok.com/@theproperpeople
discord.gg/theproperpeople

Thanks to Musicbed for providing the music in this video.
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: fm.pxf.io/c/3533247/1347628/16252 (Affiliate Link)

Intro Music: artist.landr.com/music/672985173835

Enjoying our videos? Help us make more by buying a print: theproperpeople.com/shop
Join YT Memberships: youtube.com/theproperpeople/join
Supporting us on Patreon: patreon.com/theproperpeople
Purchasing a t-shirt: theproperpeople.com/merch

Equipment we use to make our videos: theproperpeople.com/gear

0:00 Introduction
1:02 Sponsored Message
2:06 History of the Waterworks
8:13 The Logbooks
13:02 Building Overview
20:46 Starting the Boiler
23:22 Waiting for Steam
30:38 Signs of Life
33:40 Warming Up
44:37 The Engine Runs
1:01:38 It's Like a Friend
1:06:14 The Whistle
1:08:07 Golden Evening
1:16:02 Alex Signs Off

MB01ID5JJXGISDL