43021HST
Established Member
Inspired by a previous thread, that brought back memories flooding back of screaming HSTs at Reading and also the amount of unit fan threads you get on this forum, I thought I would re-address the balance.
For me what I like about diesel locos, particularly the 1st gen ones is the noise of them.
That monstrous roar coming from inside that rusting metal box that reverberates right through into the core of your soul, making the hairs prick up on the back of your neck. It stirs something primeval inside you, you forget that its just train for a second, it becomes a wild beast and your standing right next to it. The throbbing engine and the roar of the exhaust, combined produces a sound that's satisfying yet faintly scary.
Secondy I love the shape of 1st gen diesel locos, something like a deltic, class 40 or 31 looks faintly sinister, if you have seen the film ,robbery you will know what I mean. The shape is boxy and functional so much so it becomes good looking, too much modern stuff looks to streamlined and fancy, it ends up looking ugly.
Both diesel and electric units do not possess that soul stirring quality that 1st gen diesels seem to have.
In fact a certain EMU fan I used to know, never took an interest in diesels, until I took him to two diesel gala's, that was enough to convince him to turn to the blue side.
The main point of this thread before people ask, is for people to express what they like about diesel locos as well as a way for me to get all sentimental about a bit of machinery.
For me what I like about diesel locos, particularly the 1st gen ones is the noise of them.
That monstrous roar coming from inside that rusting metal box that reverberates right through into the core of your soul, making the hairs prick up on the back of your neck. It stirs something primeval inside you, you forget that its just train for a second, it becomes a wild beast and your standing right next to it. The throbbing engine and the roar of the exhaust, combined produces a sound that's satisfying yet faintly scary.
Secondy I love the shape of 1st gen diesel locos, something like a deltic, class 40 or 31 looks faintly sinister, if you have seen the film ,robbery you will know what I mean. The shape is boxy and functional so much so it becomes good looking, too much modern stuff looks to streamlined and fancy, it ends up looking ugly.
Both diesel and electric units do not possess that soul stirring quality that 1st gen diesels seem to have.
In fact a certain EMU fan I used to know, never took an interest in diesels, until I took him to two diesel gala's, that was enough to convince him to turn to the blue side.
The main point of this thread before people ask, is for people to express what they like about diesel locos as well as a way for me to get all sentimental about a bit of machinery.