I want a diesel electric car. As long as it sounds like a Deltic
If you can opt for Class 37 instead, I'm in!
37’s are something special. One of my earliest memories is having the shit scared out of me by one thrashing it’s arse off at Highbury & Islington. Still on my bucket list to drive one 
We were lucky enough to travel behind two of them when we took a heritage rail tour from York to Carlisle in 2018. The first leg from York was 2x Class 37 diesels, and then it was steam from Hellifield up to Carlisle. The thrashing through Leeds was memorable; lots of walls that reflected the sound back towards the carriages.
My early trainspotting years were mostly electric; all major lines in Sweden have catenary and diesels are very rare. I have, however, driven most of the engines commonly used in the 80s. a T21 German diesel-hydraulic (MaK diesel, Voith transmission) and a couple US-inspired diesel electrics, basically a GE diesel with ASEA electrics, the T43 and T44. Also a Henschel diesel-hydraulic shunter. That one was super easy, just a small joystick and very good control.
Nice! It’s a memorable noise. I did west highland line up to Fort William with my mother in the late 80s. That was fun because it was freezing cold and the 37 hauling it was spewing black smoke. I think several people hanging out of the front coach windows got frostbite and lung cancer from that trip 
. I was too busy with the floozies after that 
Very cool with driving the things . Hopefully I’ll get to do similar next year.
In late 1971, I travelled up to edinburgh by bus, & before heading off deeper into darkest Scotland, took the train to somewhere,(Dundee, maybe), as a day trip.
At one point, we travelled up a very steep incline with a very steep, deep valley on the left side.
Gazing idly out the window, I was surprised to see a bloody great diesel loco lying on its side at the bottom of the valley---- I think it was a Deltec, but can't be sure.
I often wonder whether they ever salvaged it, bulldozed dirt over it, or maybe just left it till "The robins came & covered it with leaves," like unto the "Babes in the Woods".
Completely off topic, but Scotland on that trip served up some surprises, from "Ewers Lager" in Edinburgh, served in big frosty jugs Oz style, to a boozy night at the "John O'Groats pub with the blokes from the lighthouse.
I came in "off the track" feeling a tad thirsty, & a bunch of guys who "didn't know me from a bar of soap" asked "What're you drinking?"
I decided it would be what they were having, which turned out to be whisky with a beer chaser.
When we were finally turfed out, it eventuated that one bloke's wife ran a "Bed & Breakfast", & somehow, I got there unscathed, & immediately crashed in my bed.
I woke up once, at about 2am, & the boys were still "kicking on", having got to the singing stage.
When I woke again, this time, at a civilised hour, I felt a bit seedy, but not really hungover, so said my goodbyes & headed off.
Somewhere near the nuclear plant/establishment, or whatever it is, I heard a very un-UK siren, & this big, long, US style bright red "hook n' ladder" swept past me, going who knows where.
Another place along the road, an F111 suddenly appeared out of the mists over a hill, crossed the road seemingly low enough to touch, & disappeared behind another hill.
Strange place!
Home
Help
Search
Login
Register
Topic: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread (Read 18796547 times)