As I was taking my daily six-mile walk, today, I was reminded of Chicago Union Station and the railroads there in the late 1940's and early 50's when I was attending highschool near Westmont,IL. To many people the smell of diesel fumes is a disgusting oder (my wife, for one) and to others...polution, but when a large diesel truck drove past me, spruing out it's contents and my sense of smell picked it up, I suddenly had visions of great railroads, looking down on diesel powered passenger trains exiting/entering the station and all that complex trackwork! I was instantly volted into train heaven. I'm sure this has happened to others...just the odors can bring back some memories of great railroad days. Buzz [ 31. March 2004, 22:20: Message edited by: buzz ]
Coal smoke does it for me. It takes me right back to growing up in Antigo, Wisconsin with the C&NW tracks down the street and my Mom screaming and running out the back door to get the wash off the line before it got covered in soot and cynders.
Interesting topic! First thing that came into my mind, was watching the local and it's two NP Geeps switching the siding in front of my grade school. In warmer weather, the windows were open, and the diesel smell, accompanied by wonderful sounds, would be coming in...... Boxcab E50
Unfortunately, in this case, that smell reminds me of when my father was Assigned Truckstop Duty for the County Sheriff's Office. They are still great memories. Most of those guys are cool. Come to think of it... Where I lived in Ohio and here in Florida wasn't close to Rail. Odd....
diesel smell in the morning is a great smell. grew up far from the tracks, but on the farm its much the same. a good cold still morning, below freezing, wind the old jd 3020 all the way up. the sound, the smell, its just a piece of heaven on earth
Wow I must not be the only crazy one then I love creosote and diesel exhaust (only from locomotives though)
Ahhhhhh! The good ole' smell of the subway! Brings me back to the good old days of skipping school and going to 42nd street (pre Disney 42nd street) They should bottle that stench and sell it as cologne to the French! Russ
It can be to much if your in a deep long mountain tunnel and the doors didn't get closed tightly. You find yourself blowing black $%#@ out your nose for weeks.
