Best Sounding Loco - Opinions?

[phil281]

100% Class 56, that deep rumble with the scream.

 

[Deepgreen]

Even better listening to the roar when one started up.

Not to mention the mini-nuclear mushroom clouds!

 

[bramling]

Personally, I prefer the class 66 in idle. Lovely sound! I'd love to know other people's thoughts!

For me probably has to be Deltic, class 37 or class 40. Class 205 or 207 comparable too.

As for modern traction, not keen on the class 66 at all. Quite enjoy listening to class 323s, or a class 317/321 at full power depending on how noisy the motors are. LU C stock also had a distinctive sound which was partly lost upon refurbishment.

 

[uvarvu]

Another vote for class 56, the thrash always gives me a shudder

 

[gimmea50anyday]

English electric locos sounds the best to me.....

That actually includes the class 56 due to the engine heritage. A 56 is essentially a 47 with a 50 engine in after all....

A class 185 for todays traction, full power in first gear under the roof of Darlington tarnished the growl is pretty impressive for a unit. Centre cabs on a load 6 enter standedge tunnel also makes it a winner....

 

[Bungle965]

English electric locos sounds the best to me.....

That actually includes the class 56 due to the engine heritage. A 56 is essentially a 47 with a 50 engine in after all....

A class 185 for todays traction, full power in first gear under the roof of Darlington tarnished the growl is pretty impressive for a unit. Centre cabs on a load 6 enter standedge tunnel also makes it a winner....

I would also second that the 185 noise when powering in first gear is simply immense!
Sam

 

[37038]

37s, 55s, 50s accept nothing else :P

 

[Whistler40145]

Well, I won't hide the fact that I'm a fan of English Electric traction, so the sound of Classes 20, 37 and 40 at full chat on a heavy load, preferably with some climbing involved is music to the ears.

 

[RichJF]

Diesel: Class 37 or Class 20.

Electric: Class 86

 

[BR60062]

For me. I have three favourites.

Class 60, The idle sound of this brute shows the sheer power of how powerful those locomotives are. Another enjoyable sound fact about that locomotive is that they sound lovely and nice under full power and on a hot day, you can hear the roar of the cooling fans. They sound a lot like a GE Dash 8 in this state as well in my opinion.

Class 43 HST (VP185 variant), Why I like the sounds of this one is because they sound similar to the older obsolete Paxman Valenta but with a more high-pitch scream at full power. Lovely in my opinion and the idle sound provides some excellent ear candy as well.

Class 56, The reason this one is my third favourite is because I like the rumble it makes and then it escalates into a scream as more pressure is exerted into the turbo. I get a great feeling of delight when I hear and see a Colas 56 powering up and nothing makes me smile more .

 

[KevinTurvey]

I used to think the acoustics / echo at Preston Station around the middle of Platform 3 always made anything coming through on full power sound pretty cool.

I'm sure some of the drivers knew this as well and let rip! - rear end HST power cars back in the 90's also springs to mind!

37's also good for this as well.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

A K-28 takes some beating.

https://youtu.be/hTngI7uGim8

 

[Whistler40145]

I used to think the acoustics / echo at Preston Station around the middle of Platform 3 always made anything coming through on full power sound pretty cool.

I'm sure some of the drivers knew this as well and let rip! - rear end HST power cars back in the 90's also springs to mind!

37's also good for this as well.

I totally agree with you, I've been waiting for a train on Platform 4 and all of a sudden I'd hear a lot of noise from Platform 3, usually a DRS Flask Train with a pair of 20s or 37s, quite good if slowing down for a signal check, then total thrash.

 

[D6975]

Another place with good acoustics is Bray Head tunnels. An 071 thrashing through there made a sound to rival a Deltic.

 

[PYROOGOBBO]

Class 89 at high speed

 

[70014IronDuke]

Nobody come up with a Class 46/1 or 46/2 yet?

I'm amazed. It has to be one of the two, just I can't make up my own mind.

 

[43096]

Another place with good acoustics is Bray Head tunnels. An 071 thrashing through there made a sound to rival a Deltic.

A dull, boring droning sound, then?!

 

[fowler9]

50, 37, 56 in that order. Best first.

 

[507021]

For me, it has to be the Class 37.

That's made me want to go for a trip on the Cumbrian Coast Line...

 

[xotGD]

A Deltic thrashing through Bensham, with the sound drifting on the breeze across the Team Valley. I loved the sound well before I knew what a Deltic was.

On the last day of Deltic-hauled service trains I stood and watched and listened, thinking that I would never experience this again.

 

[fowler9]

Now without wanting to start a civil war for me a Deltic just drones and a Valenta in a HST just screams. 50's, 40's, 37's and 20's made a bit of variety when it came to sounds.

 

[Mordac]

I wouldn't say it's the best, but I do confess to enjoying the ying-ying of a Class 66.

*ducks for cover*

 

[InOban]

A Deltic thrashing through Bensham, with the sound drifting on the breeze across the Team Valley. I loved the sound well before I knew what a Deltic was.

On the last day of Deltic-hauled service trains I stood and watched and listened, thinking that I would never experience this again.

Absolutely. No question. I remember being in Waverley seeing my brother off to KX in a brand new HST when suddenly, down the hill at Jock's Lodge, we heard a Deltic winding up the power to bring the early train from Newcastle up the hill. Magic.

I also remember reading of a Newcastle to Liverpool working in the final days which appeared with one. By the time it worked back in the afternoon there were enthusiasts waiting on every platform.

 

[DarloRich]

Now without wanting to start a civil war for me a Deltic just drones and a Valenta in a HST just screams. 50's, 40's, 37's and 20's made a bit of variety when it came to sounds.

heretic. burn him................

(PS<<<<<<<<<<< may be biased)

(PPS try on at full cracker on the mainline. It don't just drone! )

 

[delt1c]

Nobody come up with a Class 46/1 or 46/2 yet?

I'm amazed. It has to be one of the two, just I can't make up my own mind.

Expand what these mysterious sub classes are

 

[87015]

Expand what these mysterious sub classes are

This?

Don't know who would rate the /2 though, bent Koncar rubbish! Not sure what the original 46/0s did to be thrown out the party

Ps I'm in the Deltics are rubbish camp. Impressive machines, rubbish noise.

 

[GW43125]

50

When they work.

 

[philthetube]

Listening to four class 20's taking an S stock up through Rickmansworth on its way north sounds amazing, they can be heard for at least 5 mins.

 

[ac6000cw]

I'm not a great fan of dominant turbocharger noise, so that rules out Valenta engined HST and all the big twin-bank Sulzers (class 44 to 47) from the top rank for me. But the small Sulzers (class 24-27) and particularly the 33s are great - double-headed 25s could out-noise almost anything, and a 33 has a lovely hard-edged bark to the exhaust when working hard.

However, my top spot has to go to a few V-12 and V-16 four-strokes - UK class 37, 40, 56 and 68 - and from across the Atlantic, GE ES44 (super deep, bassy, V-engine 'beat' in spades, and even better they usually turn up in at least pairs . These videos will give you an idea of what pairs of them sound like: https://youtu.be/oJRV_tmfcys?t=675 and https://youtu.be/lyBWoOZg0cI?t=291)

 

[GusB]

I'm not a great fan of dominant turbocharger noise, so that rules out Valenta engined HST and all the big twin-bank Sulzers (class 44 to 47) from the top rank for me. But the small Sulzers (class 24-27) and particularly the 33s are great - double-headed 25s could out-noise almost anything, and a 33 has a lovely hard-edged bark to the exhaust when working hard.

This! I only vaguely remember the sounds of the 27s from my childhood, but thanks to those who have preserved them, and those who have filmed and posted on YouTube, I'm still able to hear those noises on demand.