Do you miss the sound of the old diesels like the GP-7, etc?

Question

I grew up close to a shortline , and I remember vividly the sound of the lashed up GP-7's and GP-9's that would pull big acid trains through town. You could hear the very distinctive "rumbling" sound of the diesels as they worked hard. I never hear that anymore with the ultra-modern diesels....they are almost silent. Can anyone relate to this, and do you know of any sites where I can find recordings (or videos) of old diesels (thanks)

Answer 1

They're still around, you just have to find shortlines that'll run them.

The newer GP38 is also quite close, mechanically, to the GP9.  Much the same sound to it

Answer 2

Yes ,I miss the sound of the coal Fired Eng.

Answer 3

Yep.  Jeeps, F7s and particular the "chirping" of the old Balwin and Alco switchers.  They were very distinctive and unique.  But, If you don't remember what you were doing when you heard the news that Prseident Kennedy had been shot, you probably haven't heard these, save outside a running museum.

The 7s and 9s got their distinctive sound that is heard no more because they employed roots blowers, and you didn't have the whine of the turbo chargers as today.

Another engine that had a distinctive sound was the Fairbanks-Morse "Trainmaster" engines.  These had opposing cylinders, as well as blowers, giving them their distinctive sound.  The only place I saw them in service was on the SP commuter trains that ran between San Francisco and San Jose in the 50s and 60s.

Thanks for reminding me I'm an old coot.  You've ruined my day.  I hope you're happy.  I'm gonna go get a beer...........

Answer 4

I haven't seen a GP7 around, except for a museum, but there's still plenty of GP9's around, albeit not their original form.

CN and CP both fixed up their fleets of GP9's, chopped the noses, and use them as yard and road switcher engines now.  We still use them in local service.

As far as the sound, I don't miss it as much as others.  Running full throttle with those deafens a person very quickly, so the newer, quieter cabs are great for delaying hearing loss.