Railscapes - the concept and reality…

Last year I wondered if some of my passive audio recordings of train journeys might be of interest to a wider audience…

Not the usual sort of audio recording, the power of the locomotive - but instead, the passenger experience. The sounds recorded from a quiet carriage (except the Class 14 cab ride!), windows open. Sat with my eyes closed, or whilst working on something else I found the audio relaxing, almost meditative. Random enough not to trouble my conscious, spotting patterns or remembering where I was ‘when that happened’ - so to you, hopefully entirely without distraction…

Lost in sound - then found again…

If I added a ‘gong’ at the start and end they could be the railway enthusiasts body scan, and that was the concept of sharing them. If they were useful to me, when trying to switch off from the world, calm my mind, perhaps they might be good for someone else?

The gentle pant of a steam engine exhaust set against the trick trock of carriage wheels on jointed rails, the buzzer as guard and driver communicate and then the rasp of a DMU exhaust, gentle stolen conversation overheard elsewhere in the carriage, wind, rails, engine noise and exhaust. Magic.

Whilst they don’t net the numbers of my other more traditional YouTube videos they show views… they’re being used, enjoyed. I wonder how many get the concept? Expecting a video to accompany the noise, not realising it should be via headphones or stereo really, not the TV. What do you think? Are you one of those who have listened? Did you find them meditative? Have they helped you in anyway? Should I continue? Until next time, more soon…

The link above is the latest, to listen or see them all, use the ‘Rail-Scape’ playlist on my YouTube channel.

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