SP010 Steaming Giants 33RPM Vinyl LP 12" Railway Train Record

	£		15
	$		20

Rare Steam Sound 'Steaming Giants' 12" 33RPM Vinyl LP Steam Train Record featuring sounds of the mighty Class 25 locomotives, that are, with their tenders, the largest ever to run 3' 6" (1067 mm) gauge in the world.
For more than a quarter of a century these Brobdingnagians have rendered magnificent service and their gradual decline in sphere of operation appears to be the beginning of a sad end to one of the greatest locomotives ever, both in sheer size and capacity, in the 150 odd years of locomotive history.
Side 1 Band 1. On board a train hauled by a condensing 25 starting form Kimberley; the whine of the turbine up front can be clearly heard even when we pass over culverts and points and even over the brief reverberance of sound as we cross a small bridge.
Band 2. A non condenser is just entering Spytfontein station (en route to Kraankuil) as the ticket inspector arrives on his rounds, We are soon away again with the crisply efficient stacktalk building up rapidly until it merges with the general sounds of a train moving at high speed
Band 3. On the footplate of a non condenser we hear all the clanks, creaks and other sounds which underlie the rapid beat of the exhaust, interspersed with the hiss ot the safety valves lifting. The sheer speed eventually blurs the beat into a single continuous sound.
Band 4. A warning whistle heralds a non condenser double-headed coal freight train pulling out from Beaconsfieid: she slips briefly then sets off with the safety valves blowing and cylinder drain cocks open the sturdy beats now out of synchonisation, form stirring background music to the enthralling sight of 200ft (61m) of thundering traction power hauling 2000 tons 11.814 million kg) of freight with such consumate ease.
Band 5. At Kraankuil station in the central plains of the barren Karoo, we are treated to sounds of three lots of class 25 headed-trains passing through. First is the gradually emerging sound of a train in full stride hauled by condenser 3529 with the characteristic absence of exhaust sound; there is the suspicion of a 'flat tyre' from one of the wagons as she flashes past and away. This is followed by the distant approach of NC 3407 moving at full throttle towards our mics. one needs to listen carefully at the beginning of the recording to pick out the incredible rapidity of the exhaust beat Soon, too. she is gone, the sound of her beat fading rapidly Again in the distance we hear the sound of a train at full speed hauled by a double header 3402 non condenser and 3516 condenser, it blazes past and the wheels sound as though they are barely able to keep on the tracks when in such full flight!
Band 6: We eavesdrop on the routine activities taking place in the signal cabin at Kraankuil station controlling the busy flow of traffic up and down.
The signal bell rings. the levers are thrown giving the all clear to a train which soon passes by, hobbling somewhat painfully A bell rings and a report is made to the distant operating office, The Afrikaans speaking signalman reports: 'We have going down, 024 through at 11 05,420 through at 11:19. from the other side, 202 through at 9.47 and 437 through at 11.14. That's it - that's the story, thank you' A sparrow chirps outside the cabin window as another train approaches and seems almost to go through the cabin as it hurtles by and disappears.
Side Two Band 1. Condensing unit 3531 comes slowly past our mics near Kimberley. the characteristic whine of her turbine sounding more like a jet aircraft taxiing in. we hear also the hiss from the drain cocks and safety valves- Soon she returns past us again coupled to a rake of freight cars with a muted chuffing sound from the exhaust tender.
Band 2. NC No 3527 makes a dramatic, stately departure from Beaconstield yards with a mixed freight which includes a somewhat vocal group of black African rail workers No sooner gone than condenser No 3539 makes her appearance a mixture of whine, chuff, clank and squeal!
Band 3. Nighttime, just outside Modder River Station in the Cape Province The typical sound of cicadas and beatles floating on the clear African night is a prelude to that of a non condensing double header working a freight load up-country. The rapidly increasing double beat, partially drowned by the hissing of the safety valves, denotes the massive power of these behemoths as they thunder past us. Now in the distance we hear another NC making a rapid approach and she hurtles her load past us at full throttle
Band 4. The rivals or a contrast to style and appeal' A non condenser approaches near Kraankuil her virile beat thrilling the senses as she flashes past in a panache of sound and as she recedes her beat continues to dominate the distance And then the insidious sound of an approaching diesel usurps the scene; it passes by in unmemorable fashion and disappears rapidly and forgettably.
Band 5. Finally condenser No 3531 leaves Kimberley Station for the Beaconsfield yards with a load of empties, her turbine sounding more like a jet on take-off with only the punctuating condenser chuffs to bring us back on track! This on-train recording was made possible through the kind co-operation of Loco Inspector Botes and the help of System Mechanical Engineer Ysbeert. Driver Fourie and Stoker Fernandez These recordings could never have been made without the unstinting co-operation and help of many S.A.R Management and Personnel too numerous to mention.