OMG

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Regrettably I have nothing to support this post but needed to share my experience yesterday.

A long time colleague at the GCR celebrated his 80th birthday at the railway. He hired two coaches specifically rebuilt internally for corporate entertaining, one of which has an open balcony at one end, buffet and drinks were included. We made two trips, on the first of which I have to admit to stuffing my face. On the second I could do the enthusiast thing, 'er indoors having renewed acquaintances with the wife of another long term supporter.

On the trip to Leicester North the balcony coach is at the rear of the train. On the return, however, the loco is attached to the balcony vehicle. Now, I've heard any number of steam locos from the adjacent coach and traveled in cabs too, but I've never been quite so close to the working end over an operating sequence.

Our loco was Standard 5 73156 and those who know the GCR will be aware that the crews like to work the locos as hard as they can up to the nominal operating speed of 25mph. The noise so close to the working end is phenomenal - a real assault on the senses, hence OMG. With the loco accelerating from stations it was impossible to make oneself heard. Naturally I tried to record some footage of this, but on playback the sound has been compressed to within an inch of its life, and in truth it sounds nothing like the extreme volume experienced. The nearest I can get to it in volume terms is Queens of the Stone Age at the O2, which comes with a health warning, but even that pales in to insignificance.

For those like me who love the sound of steam locos working hard should you, by any chance, have the opportunity to experience something similar grab it with both hands.

Brian
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
I know where you're coming from, the nearest I've been is on Cajon under Highway 138 when Dash 8 or 9 come up the hill. The ear piercing hiss from the super creep and the thump from the GE block with virtually no silencer just assaults your senses and hearing. I have quite high hearing loss so it must be really loud for those with good hearing. You feel it as much as hear it.

Main one with a Z train, lots of power for speed, not wise to stand under there at the head end as you'll probably get called in by the crew and a visit from the BNSF law enforcement is sure to spoil ones vacation.
BNSF 4146.jpg

Main two and three with a DPU heading away, now these you can get close to (within normal safe limits) as their un manned.

BNSF 4520.jpg

In 27 days I will be 'right' here at this very spot all being well for my large dose of uppers, sorry for the off piste, but I do know what you mean.

Sometimes it's more than a train, the location, the company your in; it's very rarely planned..... sometimes it just is.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Beautiful shots Mick, especially the second one..

JB.
Cheers, sadly, like Brian, they don't convey the 'power or presence' of actually being there. They are just stills that (for me) evoke strong feelings and memories which are deeply personal and I wouldn't expect anyone else to 'get it' and I expect no one else actually would.

That's why these moments are so special, they can only be enjoyed by the person feeling it.

I call them uppers, others call them the buzz, my wife get's them when she walks up to the Disney gates, it's like she's eaten a whole 1 kg bag of blue smarties, despite 26 years of marriage I'm no more than an encombrant annoyance; which is why she now does Disney on her own with like minded people (in laws and our kids) and I do Cajon and heavy metal trains.

Everyone has these moments, some more than others, some more special than others, but all are very hard to capture or explain to others.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
I'm the same with watching very particular movies at the cinema, need to go strictly on my own or with certain people that I know will hugely appreciate the experience.

....and ideally not sitting next to people eating Nacho's..!!

JB.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
I'm the same with watching very particular movies at the cinema, need to go strictly on my own or with certain people that I know will hugely appreciate the experience.

....and ideally not sitting next to people eating Nacho's..!!

JB.
Well I'd never considered movies to have that effect :cool:, just goes to show everyone's buzz is different, long may they continue to be so.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Well I'd never considered movies to have that effect :cool:, just goes to show everyone's buzz is different, long may they continue to be so.

There are only two films that are worthy..

A constant lookout for screenings are required..

However, I'll never forget one trip on 45379, the midhants black5 when we had it a few years back. Heading up the bank from Ongar, box was filled, water lever perfect and the last trip of the day so the sun was setting over the horizon. Just sit back, feet up on the backhead cladding and watch the scenery. Doesn't get much better, unless it's 'Interstellar' at an IMAX theatre.

JB.
 
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