Listen to GTW steam audio recordings from Art Weber’s album, Detroit Division, recorded in 1959, accompanied by photos of GTW steam in action.
Grand Trunk Western steam sounds
By Angela Cotey | February 15, 2018
| Last updated on September 19, 2022
Grand Trunk Western Historical Society offers a CD of these same recordings by Art Weber.
Jerry Klopfer Board Member GTWHS
I am particularly fond of original steam sound recordings…does anyone know if these are available to purchase on cd?
I grew up in the 50s a mile and a half from Detroit Division. Art Weber’s recordings of trains coming in to Royal Oak sound like what I heard as a kid.
This really sucks, nice presentation if it would run, all I get is sound, and once in a jerk a still shot of what I would love to see running.
great sounds and beautiful photographs. Thank you.
Great sounds and photos, worthy of seeing more than once as well as gracing the pages of Classic Trains. Because I grew up in the Diesel Age, I’m usually more interested in Alco hood units and switchers along with those of Baldwin and Lima, but there’s something about Grand Trunk Western steam, along with Pere Marquette steam, two of “Michigan’s own railroads”. If I had to vote on appearance, I’d give the nod to a GTW 6400 4-8-4 over N&W 611.
Entirely a different era! At age 73, all I can say, you needed alot of coal and water.
Just spent ages on a positive comment and all I see are some Emojis!!!! Hope I posed correctly!!!
WOW!! What great sound, I’m a 76yr old kid happily living here in Israel ???? since the age of 18 when I left South Africa, though most of their locos were British or German built they sounded much the same as your American ones do/did ??. Thank you for taking me back to my youth and reminding me of those fabulous long, 750 miles & 24hrs, steam hauled journeys between my home town, Port Elizabeth & Johannesburg. BTW Larry Marshall, you had me worried with your earlier comment ?? but then I read your newer one ??
Should have been beat instead of bear, I grew up within a couple of blocks from a large rail yard and would walk down and sit by the tracks just to listen and watch the switching of cars and waiting for the express to come through. Beautiful sights and sounds. Wish I could still hear and see it as it was back then.
Really enjoyed the GTW photo feature. Cant believe how many days I choose to play sounds from Detroit Division on the headphones at my desktop; better than a lot of what they call today’s music. Classic Trains brings the Detroit Division alive again. A reminder to stop to visit Durand Union Station – Durand still a RR crossing even the credit union in Durand looks like a fine depot.
Can’t bear the sound of the old steamers, bells whistles and steam
Fantastic! This brought pleasant memories of being track side on the GTW during the 50’s. Got many cab ride by shoveling coal for the local way freights (2-8-0 & 2-8-2). The best cab was on a 6323 fan trip running on the NYC (Grand Rapids to Jackson return).
Excellent! I could almost smell the steam and coal burning. Any more hidden treasures from the steam era? I tried to save a very short recording of a Santa Fe 4-6-2, “Little 3400” running thru Missouri by Frank Ellington, but lacked the right recording equipment to transfer the reel to reel 1940 era tape recording. So I know this type of sharing takes skill, knowledge, equipment and time. Thank you!