The Sights & Sounds of Railroading

        Some have described a steam locomotive as being alive.  It is experienced with all five senses.  You can see it - there are so many moving parts you don't know where to look first; hear it - whistles, bells, and steam exhaust; feel it - hot, dirty, and shakes the ground;  smell it - hot lubricating oil and coal smoke; and even taste it - when the air is filled with smoke. 

        A traction car - streetcar or interurban - is quite different.  There are the sounds of the track noise, air compressor, whistle and clanging bell.  At speed the trolley pole causes the trolley wire to sing, and when the car stops there is the smell of ozone from the traction motors.

Click the link below to see the sights of interurban railroading

Click the link below for You Tube videos with shots of Columbus

Click the links below to hear the sounds of steam railroading

Click the link below to hear the sounds of the interurban