If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

The sound of a steam locomotive

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 240P15, Dec 3, 2019.

  1. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Firstly I hope it`s ok for the producer of this great YouTube video that I "loaned" it to illustrate my question :)

    Right from the beginning of this video you can here this ringing noise from engine 48305 when it passes the camera(man) (ends at 0:20) and I have always wondered what `s make this sound?




    Knut:)
     
    Bluenosejohn likes this.
  2. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,121
    Likes Received:
    20,771
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Valves.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  3. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2006
    Messages:
    11,930
    Likes Received:
    10,088
    Occupation:
    Gentleman of leisure, nowadays
    Location:
    Near Leeds
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snifting_valve
     
    240P15 likes this.
  4. Nigel Day

    Nigel Day Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2015
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    689
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Steam loco engineer
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Ringing noises like that are mostly associated with the reciprocating parts. In this instance I would say a high probability is the piston glands which espeshaly with no pressure behind them can move up and down the stuffing box. Other items like cross head brasses can become loose and also make similar noises.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  5. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,987
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Lecturer retired: Archivist of Stanier Mogul Fund
    Location:
    Wigan
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The second scene with 8624 running tender first (and elsewhere) also gives a clanking noise from the connecting rods so very typical of an 8F. I recall a day in 1970 before the Severn Valley Railway opened. I and another 8F Society member were on the footplate of then 8233 as it was going to Eardington the take water; at that time this was the only place where you could actually put the bag in, the alternative was a hosepipe in Bridgnorth yard. Arthur Becker was the driver. He opened the regulator, and we had gone only about ten yards when he told us, "Well, it clanks like an 8F anyway!"
     
    green five, Cartman, MattA and 7 others like this.
  6. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2009
    Messages:
    1,703
    Likes Received:
    1,727
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Arthur was quite the character, his nickname to some was “beg pardon “
     
    240P15 likes this.
  7. Southernman99

    Southernman99 Member Friend

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2009
    Messages:
    893
    Likes Received:
    601
    First one is the snifters as common on most LMS engines and the second one is the standard 8f knock. Pretty sure even the best 8f to apowar out of crewe or derby had in built knocks on the rods.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  8. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Thanks for your information LMS2968! :) I have heard this clanking noise from the 9F as well and also wondered what`s making them. I thougt it was sounds from a bad balanced wheelset (hammer blow?)

    Knut
     
  9. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,987
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Lecturer retired: Archivist of Stanier Mogul Fund
    Location:
    Wigan
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes it was, as that was what he'd say if he hadn't heard you, rather than a simple "Pardon?"

    A song out at the time by Lynn Anderson was 'I beg your pardon'. For some reason it was very popular in Bridgnorth bar!
     
    gwalkeriow likes this.
  10. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Thanks for your information Nigel Day:)

    Knut
     
  11. Cartman

    Cartman Well-Known Member Account Suspended

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Messages:
    2,290
    Likes Received:
    1,672
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Van driver
    Location:
    Cheshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Seem to remember WDs being noisier than 8Fs
     
  12. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    2,134
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    The Potteries
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    At a guess, built with inferior materials, leading to quicker wear, and possibly also constructed with less precision, hence more "clanking"?
     
  13. CymruGarratt

    CymruGarratt New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    13
    I remember Fowler 4F 0-6-0s making a similar 'tinkle tonkle' noise when coasting.
     
  14. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,987
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Lecturer retired: Archivist of Stanier Mogul Fund
    Location:
    Wigan
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Most superheated LMS / Midland (not LNWR / LYR) locos used similar snifting valves so that noise was common over the system.
     
  15. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Maybe you can call it "LMS locos regional accent":Joyful:
     
  16. peckett

    peckett Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2006
    Messages:
    726
    Likes Received:
    549
    Yes Northampton rail fans used to call them clackers for that reason .
     
    240P15 likes this.
  17. 242A1

    242A1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    1,558
    Likes Received:
    1,299
    And if you wanted another distinctive sound there were always the "Knick-Knacks".
     
    240P15 likes this.
  18. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,172
    Likes Received:
    11,493
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brighton&Hove
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Or the GCR's 0-6-0 'Pom Poms'
     
    240P15 likes this.
  19. peckett

    peckett Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2006
    Messages:
    726
    Likes Received:
    549
    My parents house was 200 yards away from the Midland main line, and there was a no better place to observe 8Fs.The clanking of 8F s side rods only happened when they were coasting ,always in sequence, that is at the same position of the side rods ,two clanks for every wheel revolution.Its my opinion that going into sidings that contained far sharper curves than the 8Fs where designed for, flex the frames and took a small amount of brass from the back of the side rod brasses ,and caused ,after a time ,the clanking of the rods .And as I mentioned for some reason at the same position of the rods every time.
    I cant see it being the stuffing box,if it was the cross head bearing that would be more of a thump ,which would be more noticed when starting .
     
  20. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    A know that one specific Norwegian 2-8-0 two cylindered engine of class 24 were nick named the octangonal by the crews :)
     

Share This Page