You are so right, Larry!
I had occasion once to step out of the car while chasing the 844 here in Kansas, to get a shot on a long tangent section of track. I thought I was back far enough (about 25’ft)–Wrong! It was a mesmerizing experience, the ground was shaking. and the draft was buffetting; even frightening comes to mind.
I had seen fast passenger trains on the IC in the Mississippi Delta, " Going so fast, they sucked the trash out of the ditches on both sides of the R.O.W., as they roared past!" . In Altoona, Ks. I experienced that; a big Northern or Challenger at speed is nothing but impressive–and intimidating. A set of “E’s” glides by in comparison.
…I’m of the age bracket to have seen the operation of *many steam engines flash past…*They sure were awesome in their size and sounds and overpowering the scene as they did so. But they didn’t have to be “flying by” to impress and overpower. Standing anywhere near the R of W as a blasting coal train works by was just as overpowering as well. The ground literally would shake and the heat of the engine or engines was a little frightening too. Steam blasting from the Cylnders would shoot up the stack and into the air and rain some cinders all around where one would be standing. And one more thing…A laboring steam engine or engines…dragging a coal train up 2 % or more and just crawling past was an awesome experience…The steam made a very loud noise with each stroke of a piston…Such a massive machine with all kinds of visable parts rotating and moving back and forth…It all added up to be an awesome site.
Unlike most of you non railroaders I do understand and appreicate the power of these machines I both ride them and will when required stand on the ground on the oppsite side if I can and do the required roll by inspections. trust me when say this it is not my most favorite thing to do but I am required to do this. So when you stand on the ground and a 70mph stack train is whizzing by then You can tell me something I dont already know Larry