If you were to ride in the cab of Shay number 10,
you would hear some of these sounds:
-
Whistle for a grade crossing .(89KB .wav)
This familiar "two longs, a short and one long" signal serves as
a warning to cars on the highway that a train is approaching the crossing.
- Air Brakes (47KB .Wav)
As the Engineer releases the brakes on the train air can be heard rushing
through the system.. In this case it is the "straight air" brakes that are being actuated.
- Compressor exhaust 20KB .Wav
As the Engineer applies the brakes, the compressor must run every now and then
to make up the air. This is the sound heard from the exhaust of a single
stroke of the compressor.
- Injector priming (39KB .Wav)
As the engine uses steam, the Fireman must add water to the boiler to keep
the water level up. This is usually done with the "Injector" that pumps
water from the tender into the boiler.
- Manzel Oiler (63KB .Wav)
As the engine is coasting downhill, the primary sound in the cab is
the sound of the Manzel oiler as it injects steam cylinder oil into the
cylinders.
- Draft door opening (34Kb .Wav)
As the Engineer starts to open the throttle, the fireman is busy opening
the draft and adjusting the burner to ensure that the fire keeps up with
the demands for steam.
- Approaching the grade crossing 392Kb .Wav
As the train climbs the grade towards the station, the Engineer
slows the train approaching the crossing. The Fireman starts ringing
the bell as a warning. Just prior to the grade crossing, the Engineer
blows the whistle.
- Starting up the grade (968KB .wav)
Before climbing the grade out of the canyon, the train stops for
the Conductor to set the switch for the next train. The Conductor
climbs on the last car and signals to the Engineer. Three short toots
on the whistle, the brakes are let off, the throttle is eased out
and the train starts forward. Since the train has been sitting for a few
minutes, there is a chance that the cylinders have cooled down, and to prevent
condensation from damaging the heads, the Engineer has the cylinder cocks
open as he opens the throttle. A great "hisss..." of steam escaping
from the cylinder cocks drowns out all other sounds. After a few moments, the
cylinders are warm, and the engineer closes the cocks, and the muffled rumble
of the exhausts can be heard. Each rotation of the main wheels is punctuated
by 16 beats of exhaust from the cylinders.
- Coasting downhill (688Kb .Wav)
Coasting downhill has a completely different sound. You can
hear air brakes, oiler and other sounds that are usually masked by the
roar of the exhasts.
- Coming to a stop at the station (424Kb .Wav)
The train has all but stopped moving, but the cab of the engine is still
busy. The compressor makes one last stroke to keep the air pressure up,
the fireman adds a bit more water to the boiler, the Engineer applies
the last bit of brakes to smoothly stop the train. When all is done,
a short "toot" on the whistle indicates that the train is fully stopped.
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