Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Favorite train related...sound?

921 views
23 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Favorite train related...sound?
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 10:59 AM
Mine has to be the EMD reving up noise a MP-15 makes when it suddenly throttles up, moves back and stops. I stood over one doing this in Enola yard last week and it was pretty freakin cool.


"RUDDDDDDDUNNNDAARummmmmmmmmmmm" I wish sound decoders could make a sound that rich and true to life.


  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 11:56 AM
Sorry, but a diesel will never equal the sounds of a working steam locomotive. Even sitting still, they hiss and occasionally have the air pumps running in a sound very much like heavy breathing after a hard pull. And when they are working, the exhaust sound is sharper and louder the harder they work. They almost sound alive.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 12:11 PM
Before I support Tom, let me assure you, Stuckarmchairing, that there is NO sound like a diesel locomotive...name the model, they sound unique and powerful, a throaty rumble with rich tones.

But, like the irrepressible Tom, I have to say that my fondest feelings are for steam. I recently got a cab ride in a 90 ton Baldwin 2-8-2T, what I would characterize as a 'cute' little loco. The twin-lung pumps did their 'click-click' and 'THOOMB-thumm, THOOM-thumm' , and the roar from the firebox that was an oil atomizer-fired wonder when I had a good look through the port. Also, the sound of injectors is not to be missed.

There are two sounds that make me sit up and take notice: the crack of the chuff when it is under load, and the repetitive hiss and blow of the cylinders as they drive the crosshead back and forth. Mmm, mmm, mmm! [^]
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 12:43 PM
Selector- LUCKY DOG!! Cab ride in a 2-8-2T would be great! I got to DRIVE an F unit coal train when I was about ten.(A kids dream).
I like the sound ANY train makes when it starts out and you hear the boom of the couplers taking up slack on down the train. The boom,boom,boom on down the line fading off into the distance.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 12:48 PM
  • The contended gurgle of an idling 251.
  • The "clump" of diesel wheels slowly crossing a rail joint.

  • [^]
    B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
    • Member since
      December 2003
    • From: Dallas, GA
    • 2,643 posts
    Posted by TrainFreak409 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 1:01 PM
    I like all sounds that come from any train, but my favorites would have to be;

    a) a deep, multichime steam whistle
    b) the three cylinder chuffing of a UP 9000 ( I listen to a 33 album of UP locos )

    ~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

    Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

    • Member since
      April 2003
    • 305,205 posts
    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 1:22 PM
    I think the best sound is when I am playing golf and the rumble of a Norfolk Southern over the trestle and the bell dinging in the back ground.
    http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/zeus04/000_0227.jpg
    • Member since
      May 2004
    • From: Redding, California
    • 1,428 posts
    Posted by Train 284 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 1:33 PM
    I just love steam, all the unique sounds they make is just great, steam can never be put behind diesel, EVER!!
    Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
    • Member since
      October 2001
    • From: OH
    • 17,574 posts
    Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:15 PM
    That to me would be the sound of a 567b,c,or d..I have always thought the sound of a 567 meant it was ready to start working whereas the Alco seem to be inpatient and ready to get down to business..
    As far as steam..I always thought a steamer starting upgrade with heavy tonnage sounded awesome.

    Larry

    Conductor.

    Summerset Ry.


    "Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

    • Member since
      February 2005
    • From: In the State of insanity!
    • 7,982 posts
    Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:30 PM
    "ALL ABOARD"!!!!
    Philip
    • Member since
      November 2002
    • From: GB
    • 973 posts
    Posted by steveblackledge on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:36 PM
    This is my Favourite Sound
    Steam at it's best http://www.burgess57.freeserve.co.uk/1Z62.WMV
    • Member since
      November 2002
    • From: GB
    • 973 posts
    Posted by steveblackledge on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:41 PM
    Scott, i used to have some albums called Stack music or something like that, they were great, there were steam locos from the CB&Q, UP, SF, SP, Rio Grande and some other roadnames but i sold them to a guy in Colorado, but i coppied them onto audio tape so all was not lost
    • Member since
      April 2005
    • From: Colorado Springs, CO
    • 3,590 posts
    Posted by csmith9474 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:46 PM
    The bunching or stretching of slack echoing off the mountains. I know the crew don't like hearin' it, but I do.
    Smitty
    • Member since
      February 2005
    • From: Vancouver Island, BC
    • 23,330 posts
    Posted by selector on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 2:48 PM
    Oh, THANKS, Steve!!! Now I have to go change.

    What was the loco, by the way? And were there any passengers? It pulled like the cars were empty... and stripped.[:O][:I][:D]
    • Member since
      December 2003
    • From: East central Illinois
    • 2,576 posts
    Posted by Cox 47 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 3:01 PM
    Any sound a train of any kind makes...... but my favorite is two cars smacking together in the yard goes back to when I was a kid and visited my brother who lived near the Harbor Belt Yard in Hessville Ind. I'd lay in bed at nite and listen till I fell asleep Cox 47
    ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
    • Member since
      November 2002
    • From: GB
    • 973 posts
    Posted by steveblackledge on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 3:01 PM
    Crandell, The loco is a 4-6-2 pacific number 6233, it's a four cylinder machine developing around 3300 drawbar horsepower at full tilt. It was fully booked with no seats left, the train was around 550 tons
    Name : DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND
    Number : 6233 (In British Railways days 46233)
    Class of Locomotive : Princess Coronation Class
    Type : 4 Cylinder Pacific
    Valve gear : Walschaerts
    Tractive Effort : 40,000 lbs (at 85%) boiler pressure
    Braking system : Air brakes (was vacuum but this was changed at the recent overhaul)

    Built : 1938 at Crewe Works
    Locomotive Weight : 161 tons 12 cwts
    Length : 73 ft 10 inches
    Height : 13ft 1 inch
    Coal Capacity in the tender : 10 tons
    Water Capacity : 5000 gallons in the tender and 2100 in the boiler
    Boiler pressure : 250 lbs per sq. inch

    The locomotive burns up to 1 ton of coal every 40 miles run, evaporates about 45 gallons of water per mile. As much as two tons of coal will be burning at once when the locomotive is working hard on a heavy train.

    The locomotive's maximum speed is 75 m.p.h. today although in service days this was a high as 100 miles per hour.

    this is the owning groups web site http://www.prclt.co.uk/
    • Member since
      July 2002
    • From: California
    • 3,722 posts
    Posted by AggroJones on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 3:02 PM
    Late Cabforwards struggling against a tough grade. With the pounding, heavy breathing, and strange air pump noises.

    "Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

    EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION

    http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588

    • Member since
      February 2005
    • From: Vancouver Island, BC
    • 23,330 posts
    Posted by selector on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 3:28 PM
    Thanks, Steve. The bark of the chimney chuff was really sweet.
    • Member since
      November 2001
    • From: US
    • 1,720 posts
    Posted by MAbruce on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 3:30 PM
    The lonely distant train horn that drifted in through my open window while I was lying awake in bed at around 2:00am. Ah, the sounds of summer. I fell back asleep a short time later.
    • Member since
      April 2003
    • 305,205 posts
    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 4:30 PM
    Two things:

    1:765's shotgun exhaust.
    2:765's whistel.

    Nuff said.[:)]
    • Member since
      December 2004
    • From: Finger Lakes
    • 10,198 posts
    Posted by howmus on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 4:56 PM
    QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl

    Sorry, but a diesel will never equal the sounds of a working steam locomotive. Even sitting still, they hiss and occasionally have the air pumps running in a sound very much like heavy breathing after a hard pull. And when they are working, the exhaust sound is sharper and louder the harder they work. They almost sound alive.


    Wadda you mean "Almost"? The sound of an operating steam loco is sweet, sweet, sweet. And, just like each different diseasal has a unique sound, every steamer is different!

    Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

    We'll get there sooner or later! 

    • Member since
      May 2003
    • From: Morgantown, WV
    • 1,459 posts
    Posted by cheese3 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 6:24 PM
    QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl

    Sorry, but a diesel will never equal the sounds of a working steam locomotive. Even sitting still, they hiss and occasionally have the air pumps running in a sound very much like heavy breathing after a hard pull. And when they are working, the exhaust sound is sharper and louder the harder they work. They almost sound alive.


    [#ditto]

    Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!

    • Member since
      December 2003
    • From: Good ol' USA
    • 9,642 posts
    Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 6:34 PM
    Hard to pinpoint just one thing, except that it is diesel related.

    I like the sound of a turbocharged 2nd generation EMD idling, like an SD40-2 or SD45..

    Enjoy the occasional long, loud "Pop-Off" coming out of the air tank valve. (Tsssshhhhhhhhhh!).
    (Too bad the newer GE and EMD locos don't do that anymore!)

    Also enjoy the sounds of the Nathan K5LA horn, and the smooth "honk" of a Wabco E2 horn.

    Steamers are beautiful music machines, but I spent my teen years around 1st and 2nd generation diesels. Too many fond memories.

    "I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

     


    • Member since
      April 2003
    • 305,205 posts
    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 7:16 PM
    The horn

    Subscriber & Member Login

    Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

    Users Online

    There are no community member online

    Search the Community

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Model Railroader Newsletter See all
    Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!