Since Baldwin’s early diesels (as the VO series switchers) utilized what they termed an air throttle, rather than “notches,” for increasing engine speed, does anyone know how the engine sounded as the speed increased Were there “notch” sounds or simply the sound of increasing engine speed.
John C.
Mebane, NC
To the best of my knowledge there is no diesel that had, “Notch sounds”. When the throttle is moved to increase power the diesel engine revs up to provide the requested power. It is imperative that the engineer (particularly with first generation power) keep an eye on the amps being created and not burn up the traction motors. So a train on level ground pulling 100 cars is going to draw less amperage than the same train going up a hill. At some point the engineer may have to notch back to prevent overheating the traction motors or get a pusher. Baldwin engines used massive pistons and lower rpms. Generations of engineers loved Baldwin engines because they rarely stalled and could pull better than competitor engines. So the bottom line on increasing throttles for Baldwin engines is an increased engine rpm but nothing like an EMD or Ge engine today. Baldwins burbled away.
An idling Baldwin sounded like somebody tapping a rhythm on a empty 55 gal drum with a hammer (bung, bung, bung, bung…)
There is nothing quite like the sound of a Baldwin…
These might help.
A lot of the older PRR engineers that I worked with learned their trade running steam engines would seldom look at the amp gauge…They ran their engines by sound and by the seat of their pants.
These throttle masters would get every ounce of drawbar pull out of the engine and a tad over by jocking the throttle and using sand…
I doubt if today’s computerized locomotives would allow such antics.
Go on the “Baldwin Diesel Zone” and find the SMS S-12 units listed. There is a sound clip of a BLW switcher speeding up. I don’t know the link though.