The sound of a steam locomotive

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

 

Valves.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snifting_valve

 

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.

 

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!"

 

Arthur was quite the character, his nickname to some was “beg pardon “

 

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.

 

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

 

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!

 

Thanks for your information Nigel Day

Knut

 

Seem to remember WDs being noisier than 8Fs

 

At a guess, built with inferior materials, leading to quicker wear, and possibly also constructed with less precision, hence more "clanking"?

 

I remember Fowler 4F 0-6-0s making a similar 'tinkle tonkle' noise when coasting.

 

Most superheated LMS / Midland (not LNWR / LYR) locos used similar snifting valves so that noise was common over the system.

 

Maybe you can call it "LMS locos regional accent"

 

Yes Northampton rail fans used to call them clackers for that reason .

 

And if you wanted another distinctive sound there were always the "Knick-Knacks".

 

Or the GCR's 0-6-0 'Pom Poms'

 

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 .

 

A know that one specific Norwegian 2-8-0 two cylindered engine of class 24 were nick named the octangonal by the crews