All recordings are 22050 Hz unless otherwise noted.

SLR GP11 #8748, two GP40s, and SLR M420Ws 3569 and 3516 roar uphill with the throttle in full on SLR train 394.  The horn on 8748 is a pleasing Nathan K3LA, quite different from the P5 on sister 8749.

This was the first recording where I tried using something other than the tape recorder's speaker to record into the computer, and I was astonished at the result--the method I developed then is still used now (a player plugged directly into the computer) albeit with the recordings saved at 22050 Hz.  Unfortunately, this relatively early recording is no longer on tape (I've also discovered the advantages of keeping the originals) and so is at 11025 Hz.

The distinctive chant of 567's fills the air as SLR's two GP11's lead a short freight in about run 5.  Leading is 8748, with its 3-chime K-series horn.  This unit is was retired fairly promptly due to mechanical troubles--it spent more time in the shop than on the rails.  Sister 8749 was still in service until at least late 2001.

Recorded June 2000, 36 seconds
11,025 Hz compressed, 143 KB

This was a sick train!  The third locomotive of this three-unit consist, behind SLR GP11 8749 and GATX GP40 3717, caught my attention as it went by.  SLR M420W 3516 shot out flickers of fire and spewed out brown smoke highly unusual for a locomotive in full throttle, and the burbly putt-putt it made is clearly audible in the recording.  The engine was ticking over at only 80% of its normal speed of 1000 rpm.

These signs revealed an unhappy 12-cylinder 251 engine under the oil-streaked hood that had a damaged fuel injector.  This is a minor problem despite the somewhat alarming symptoms.  The excess fuel remains unburned because it saturates the inside of one of the cylinders, causing an excessive putt-putt, and it catches fire in the exhaust manifold from the intense heat typical in turbocharged exhaust systems.  The problem isn't serious if fixed soon; modern Dash-9s of GE have been known to create spectacular fire shows on rare occasions when the same problem occurs.

This is one of my better (and earliest) example of the pleasing sound of EMD units, although without good quality sound.  The EMDs were normal, except for the high-pitched monotone "toot" of the GP11 coming from a Nathan P5 that had only one chime working (a compliment to the ailing MLW)

I should add that the M420W was repaired right after this trip, or at least I never saw it again in this condition, and the GP11's horn was brought back to its original five-chime sound within two months.  SLR is known for being a well-run railroad with well-maintained track and locomotives, and this was an unrepeated sight.

Of all the numerous trains led by GP11 8749 that had something interesting about them, this one was the best.  On this Eastbound train headed uphill, slogging along at a mere 20 mph (32 km/h) it's overpowered by the five ground-shaking, full-throttle diesels putting 11800 horsepower to the rails.  Roaring past one by one, GP11 8749, SLR GP40s 3000 and 3733, an LLPX GP38-2 and an ex-CN M420W created a spectacular show.  Five different engine sounds--a supercharged 16-567, two turbocharged 16-645's (one running at reduced rpm) a supercharged 16-645 and an Alco 12-251--combined with a melodious and brassy horn (yes, even though it's a Nathan P-series) make this one of my favourite recordings.

Although SLR's new slug sets have since matched this kind of show while battling grades, this train still ranks as one of the most impressive I've seen.  The labouring engines could be heard for so long before they came that I debated whether it was actually an approaching train, and they likewise could be heard over the screeching and rumbling of the cars after half of the more than 100 had passed.
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I added this recording on January 05, 2006 for two main reasons: the horn and the engine sounds.  "Late-casting" P-series horns have never been known for melodious sounds--but the one on 8749 is unusually pleasing.  However, a supercharged 567-series engine in run 8 will generate nary a negative comment from any railfan.  In this recording, SLR GP11 8749 leads a CN GP40-2LW at the head end of a short train headed East towards Waterville, QC.

Recorded September 13, 2001, 60 seconds
Re-transferred September 27, 2006
22,050 Hz compressed, 413 KB
44,100 Hz, 2,605 KB

Leading a short train downhill with the last surviving M420W (3579) this was one of the last times I saw 8749 in regular mainline service.  By early 2002, the M420Ws, the LLPX "yellowbird" GP38-2s and the GP11 made way for numerous leased GP40s, including the three familiar ex-B&O units in new paint and numbers.  Local trains have been a common sight in the afternoon since summer 2001, and this was the northbound return trip after M420W 3579 and 8749 led a short train south about a half hour earlier.  I recorded the whole train both times, so the recording is long.  (see M420W section for the train's first passing)