Quote:
Originally Posted by springs branch mickey
I liked the whistler. The peak was another engine I liked the sound of. They just weren't the sound you were hoping for in the sixties, when you knew they were the death knell of steam!  Funny though, we got to like diesels, and bemoaned their passing. i used to go and see the last few 40's at springs branch.  |
Totally appreciate the sentiments. It was a similar situation for diesel enthusiasts in the late 70's. HST's were replacing loco hauled trains and the early 80's saw the recession with a severe contraction of freight carried by the railways. The miners strike didn't help, then royal mail went over to lorries.
HST's looked and sounded great but they introduced the concept of fixed train units for expresses and nationwide standardisation (not forgetting that dmu's had led the way) which greatly reduced the pleasure for the enthusiast.
Diesels had an extra dimension to steam (a variety of sounds) and carried on where steam left off. But the character of the railways today has all but vanished.
40's had everything,rugged looks and amazing sound. so i can understand how steam fans found consilation in diesel loco's.