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'Vocal' engines

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Chris86, Jan 30, 2012.

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  1. Chris86

    Chris86 Well-Known Member

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    Evening all

    Some of you may have seen the post I put up on the GCR gala thread, commenting on the sound that Pitchford hall makes- what a machine!
    It made me consider, that the sound is a big part of what attracts me to steam so I am putting this thread forward for discussing which engines make the best noises and perhaps where?!
    Ill Start off with a few of my favourites no particular order;

    Pitchford Hall- Sounded amazing at Quorn last weekend
    45407 - can't remember if it was last year or the year before on the Jacobite, happened to spot it when driving and had a stop at the roadside.
    30926 Repton- On the NYMR, had a really good run behind her some years ago
    42073 on the L&HR Was fortunate enough to get on the footplate for a run, and its fair to say that it was a difficult run out form haverthwaite, wet greasy and across the points with a pretty reasonable load, sounded great up the bank to newby bridge!
    NG16 143 at the WHR in September, wet grim day but made well worth while by the sound of it working hard and the good control of a couple of slips on the way!

    Anyhoo, Im keen to hear anyones suggestions, any film footage would be an interesting watch too i'm sure!



    Chris
     
    Chris86, Jan 30, 2012
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  2. Andy2857

    Andy2857 Member

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    Completely agree with you, the sound of a loco is so key to the emotions they stir. For me there are a few that stand out (with an inevitable SVR bias I'm afraid!)

    42968 - the thing doesn't do a "quiet run" and has a lovely deep bark, plus that screechy whistle.
    1501 - has perhaps one of the most grating whistles in preservation but makes a hell of a racket to make up for it. Proper brute that I can't wait to have back.
    Any black five, particularly 45407 - i pick that example because I've witnessed it on preserved lines and mainline. 44767 comes close though
    7802 "Bradley Manor" - gets a mention ahead of Erlestoke because it just seems to have a little more character. Maybe its the underdog spirit of being a loco bought for spares becoming a regular runner. Real fine example of the Western "bark".

    Cheers,
    Andy
     
    Andy2857, Jan 30, 2012
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  3. irwellsteam

    irwellsteam Member

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    73129 is very vocal. Don't know what they've done to the blastpipe, but she definately warrants a mention:

    [video=youtube;8HgwpniBBww]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HgwpniBBww[/video]

    Compare with the black 5 with her, not a quiet one either, but shouted down here
     
    irwellsteam, Jan 30, 2012
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  4. Shaggy

    Shaggy Part of the furniture

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    73096 up the Alps towards Medstead & Four Marks. Sadly probably just a memory now! :(
     
    Shaggy, Jan 30, 2012
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  5. williamfj2

    williamfj2 Member

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    Give just about any loco 7 or 8 on the NYMR or a decent load at Foxfield and it'll be vocal! Dame Vera Lynn was pretty spectacular, great shame to see her rusting away for the past decade.
     
    williamfj2, Jan 30, 2012
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  6. Dan Hamblin

    Dan Hamblin Part of the furniture

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    Dan Hamblin, Jan 30, 2012
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  7. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    It's to do with the Caprotti Valve Gear, as it gives a sharper blast making her more vocal.

    As for my favourite sounding locos, in no particular order;
    Manors 7802 Bradley Manor Talerddig summit - YouTube
    Castles 5029 Nunney Castle - A GWR Castle's roaring elegance - YouTube
    S160s USA S160 5197 at Burrs ELR 14th June 2009 - YouTube
    73129 KWVR Autumn Steam Gala 5MT 73129 Damems Oakworth - YouTube

    Gresley single chimney 3cylinders also sound good at speed (246 / 4771 / 3442)
    4771 The final run - YouTube
    Morayshire at Speed - YouTube
    The Great Marquess Part 2 - YouTube
     
    lil Bear, Jan 30, 2012
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  8. kieranhardy

    kieranhardy Well-Known Member

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    Some of the Maunsell locomotives (not including 850!) are very vocal. 31625 was a very noisy performer as seen here:

    [video=youtube;-F23x9LuTMo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F23x9LuTMo[/video]

    S15 No. 828 was quite loud (specially in the second clip) too:

    [video=youtube;avlK6AgqIC0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avlK6AgqIC0&list=UUs2XvkKK4Wrk7cSpKqjhYDA& index=41&feature=plcp[/video]

    I've also felt 65462 can be quite noisy too.
     
    kieranhardy, Jan 30, 2012
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  9. Ben Jervis

    Ben Jervis Member

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    Ben Jervis, Jan 30, 2012
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  10. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Did you not see the clip of 7802 climbing Talerddig? :p Kettle is on the boil...
     
    lil Bear, Jan 30, 2012
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  11. Ben Jervis

    Ben Jervis Member

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    Ben Jervis, Jan 30, 2012
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  12. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Ah, so someone else has found PSOV's recent uploads from their archives. Good, aren't they?

    What makes a good steam sound-track? Double-headers are a big attraction - just listen to 44871 & 45407 last Saturday, or on the Central Wales line last May.

    Decibels aren't everything. A long, lingering whistle, especially if there's some echo, can really raise the hairs on the back of my neck.

    I love the sound of a Bulleid pacific at speed - like this one!

    48151's pretty noisy - as Ryan demonstrates with this shot at Bincombe.
     
    Steamage, Jan 30, 2012
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  13. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Many here on the board know that I love Lizzie. It is the barking factor that drew me to become a fan of hers. The Speed doesn't hurt either. However, I like it when she is running between 20-50mph. The staccato effect of her exhaust is 2nd to none.

    5043 and 70013 are next.

    Could anyone guide me to some of the louder tourist line locomotives?
     
    mike1522, Jan 31, 2012
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  14. Andy2857

    Andy2857 Member

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    I hope this... 2968 & 7325 on the Lickey Incline - YouTube supports my case for 2968. And perhaps throws up another contender...7325. I'd forgotten what a racket that thing could make! I remember standing right at the top of the lickey for this run. Never will i forget the sight and sound!
     
    Andy2857, Jan 31, 2012
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  15. james1983

    james1983 Member

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    5029 or 5051 get my vote. Leaving Port Talbot with 5051 on her last run into paddington was an outstanding performance of a castle doing what it does best, biting in from a standing start and getting back up to line speed effortlessly with plenty of noise. 5029 at the mid hants was the last time I was behind her, lovely noise up the alps. I only have phone videos of these runs which I keep personnel / not up to the quality of the scences members on here and the wider world post online.

    Another engine I was impressed with is 70013, could listen to her all day long.
     
    james1983, Jan 31, 2012
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  16. Andy2857

    Andy2857 Member

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    Andy2857, Jan 31, 2012
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  17. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    In no particular order....
    30777 has its 'noisy monents' 30777 TPO drop - YouTube
    6024 PSOV Power & Performance 6024 at Warrington - YouTube
    7822 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIfJhSyMuk8&list=FLtKWJCGZsc2twXqtwAK-b1A&index=28&feature=plpp_video
    70000 PSOV Power & Performance 70000 Britannia at Surbiton - YouTube
    45305 Black 5 Thrash! - YouTube
    And for something a little Louder!!!!
    NKP765 NKP 765 Steam In The Valley 2011 - YouTube

    or for something a little smaller....
    My loco Polly climbing Chesterfield bank! - YouTube

    Steve
     
    stevepurves, Jan 31, 2012
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  18. NSWGR 3827

    NSWGR 3827 New Member

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    NSWGR 3827, Jan 31, 2012
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  19. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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  20. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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