Damn...those are some impressive looking bits of kit, real engines !.
Reminds me when I was five, my parents where on an overseas posting and the R and R was two weeks in Africa. So there we are driving through the Serengeti when we come across this bridge ove a rail track. Dad, who was a died in wool steam fanatic, pulls the car over... a left hooker VW Beetle and says 'Come on, everyone out, quick !'. What we hadnt seen was a very tall plume of smoke making its way across the plain towards us.
Picture the scene....me, at five years old and about knee high to not a lot, holding onto dads hand when with out any doubt, the most jinormous, fire breathing monstrosity I had ever seen trundles into view. It was absolutely huge and it seemed to be pulling atrain that stetched for ever and ever.
I didnt know any swear words at that age, but I did think it was wonderfull sight to behold....right upto the point when the driver, seeing a little boy waving like crazy from a railway bridge....blows the whistle !.
I thought I'd died I did !. Feck Me !!! The noise was simply staggering...even though it was almost but not quite, drowned out by a little five year old boy who was now screaming his head off in absolute abject fear !!!!.
I will never ever forget that moment, when a Beyer-Garrat blew it whistle for me...i think my ears are still recovering !
Keep the pics coming guys