The Sound of Steam Locomotives

Very detailed and interesting article at Sonic Fields about recording a steam locomotive from 1930s.

I must admit to having a love for live steam, so it came as a bit of a shock when I realised that I have only captured a few audio recordings of  one particular steam locomotive before, these were of  “Little Barford”, a Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank, number 2069. The recordings made back then on a windy 14 July 2006 at Weeting Steam Fair, Norfolk, UK., using a Sony MZN710 Walkman and Soundman OKMII Binaural microphones, were not that good. A major part of the audio tracks were spoilt by excessive wind buffet and a stereo image which wandered with every turn of the head.

So the purpose of this particular field recording trip made 29 June 2011, was to redress the balance a bit by recording the King Edward II, a fully restored 1930s built GWR express locomotive being operated for a few weeks by the Mid Norfolk Railway whilst hauling passenger coaches between Dereham and Wymondham in Norfolk. UK.

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