I can't disagree about steam locomotives at all, they have a wonderful sound to them, especially at night. Love that video Armistead, what fascinating looking locomotives.
I've got a lot of favourite sounds, hope you're ready for a long list.
Steam whistles are quite beautiful to me, especially the A4 chime whistle, the Bulleid whistle and a GWR whistle, although Stanier hooters are quite nice too:
A4 whistle:
Bulleid whistle:
GWR whistle:
(I do like the tick-tock noises that many GWR locos make too)
Stainer hooter:
And of course, the traditional wheel on rail gap sound:
But modern trains also fall into my favourite sounds category, although most of them are sadly no longer in active service.
The cooling fans on the AL6/Class 86 always remind me of journeys with my father down to London to stay for a week or weekend:
The sound of the old slamdoor DC electrics remind me of my youth in Kent back when these old stalwarts ran the commuter services into and out of London. There are many sounds that make me smile from these old trains.
Their horns:
Their motors:
Their air compressors:
And the old DEMU 'Thumper' engine, also long out of service:
Good days.
And now, alway from the railways, other sounds both man-made and natural.
We'll start with the air:
Rolls Royce Merlin, an obvious choice:
But also, the gun-portholes of the P-51 Mustang:
And the C-47:
And other man-made sounds.
The M1 Garand 'ping', not comforting to the person who's fired it, but smart Marines could fool with an empty clip:
Blacksmith sounds:
Natural sounds
A Cats Purr:
The Dawn Chorus:
Swallows and Swifts:
And the call they make on the wing, it's the sound of summer to me when they arrive.
Cats meowing and trilling:
Seagulls, and the sea:
And, of course, rain, especially on a window:
