Steam Locomotive Rail Sounds: A Farewell to Steam

High Fidelity Recordings, Inc. - Steam Locomotive Rail Sounds: A Farewell to Steam

LP released in 1958

This recording tells a story - the story of that bright winter day, when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway ran the last train on the Los Angeles Division to be pulled by a steam locomotive.

Many people had thought that Steam would never die, that there would always be trains pulled by giant steamers travelling the Santa Fe mainline from Los Angeles to San Bernardino and Barstow and points east. Steam locomotives and the railroads on which they ran had built the west. The bright, shiny diesels had come in ever increasing numbers since the end of World War II and though Steam was used less and less no one thought that the day would actually come when there would be no more laboring exhaust nor mournful whistle of the steam locomotive. But - that day had come, and to mark Steam's passing a group of railroad and travel enthusiasts known as the Railway Club of Southern California asked to operate the last steam train over this route, to literally say "Farewell to Steam" on the Santa Fe in Southern California! Supported by more than 400 people who "just wanted to ride behind a Steamer once again" the eight-car special train was a complete sell-out, and all along the mainline from Los Angeles to Barstow hundreds more stopped their cars or stood by the track to watch and wave or to photograph and record the passing of Steam. Under the expert handling of Road Foreman of Engines A. F. Murdock, Engineer H. L. Bryant and Fireman C. P. Kyer 4-8-4 locomotive 3759 ended 26 years of faithful service in a blaze of glory that will not soon be forgotten.

Maybe you were one of those who said "Farewell to Steam" that day, or perhaps you have never before heard the sounds of a Santa Fe steam locomotive in action. Now, through the medium of high fidelity recording you may take part in this wonderful adventure in Steam Railroading. To those of you who have fond memories of the steam locomotive and the enchantment that its sounds could bring, this recording is especially dedicated. (from the liner notes)



I'm going on a short yet much needed vacation. I won't actually be on a train although I wish it was so. I should be back sometime next week.

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Los Angeles to San Bernardino {17:06}

Side Two

1. San Bernardino to Barstow {8:17}

2. Sounds of Southern Pacific Trains at Santa Barbara {10:11}

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