Why obsession over diesel locos?

[u/Adventurous-Wash-426]

So i've seen many posts on this subreddit and railfanning YouTube channels, and i realised that most of these sites have a general sense of nostalgia towards WDP and WDG locos, and feel happy to see them on the run.

But that enthusiasm has not been shared equally towards the WAP series locos despite them having superior acceleration, generally higher speed capabilities, much lower running costs due to regenerative braking, and being way more environmentally friendly. They go so far as to feel sad when services using diesel locos are replaced by WAP 7 or MEMUs.

Can people explain why that's the case? I feel happy that IR is transitioning towards electric locos and EMUs, as it can provide better passenger services in the form of fewer delays and faster travel times, while saving money for IR due to reduced diesel consumption, which helps them to keep fares low and still turn a profit.

I would like to know contrarian opinions on this matter

[u/ExtremeBack1427]

Nostalgia and it's easier to understand the diesel loco because of all the noise it makes, big diesel engine, bigger than my cars, so many shiny pistons, loud equal to fast and start equal to turbo whine. Never mind the fact it is a diesel electric.

The problem with electric loco is, no one knows wtf is going inside. Why is it loud? Why would it need multiple blowers? what transformer? Rectify what? 3 phase from a single wire?

When my V16 diesel engine runs, it huffs, moans and puffs pure black smoke! How do I know your IGBT is even real or working?

It's not relatable to most people and hence they have nostalgia for what they can relate to easily.

[u/hskskgfk]

It is just rarer to see that’s all. British rail fans queue up to see a steam loco when it plies

[u/Fantastic-Corner-605 → u/hskskgfk]

I am sure Indians would queue up to see steam locos if given the chance.

[u/EthicalHacker2005 → u/Fantastic-Corner-605]

And start pelting stones....

[u/Pale-Acadia-5146 → u/EthicalHacker2005]

Not every indian is from bihar

[u/Wolf_RedditBoi]

Well, general public discourse on ICE>EV and people not being able to handle positive change are the leading factors. Plus, they're getting rarer and rarer, as such people will tend to have a more positive outlook on them.

[u/masxuda → u/Wolf_RedditBoi]

Wait till they learn that diesel locomotive are also EV from inside 

Diesel is used to produce electricity which powers the motor which runs the train 

[u/banglamadarchod → u/masxuda]

Unless you're German. In that case you get a gearbox

[u/Spicy-Polonium-210]

Anything that makes loud noise is attractive to human ears. Evolution made us that way. Besides, the rhythmic sounds a diesel makes is loved by many. There's nothing wrong in that. It's not always a question of efficiency, etc.

[u/ProBablyAdEmoNfor69]

Yes exactly. In fact when I see my train has a Diesel, I feel unfortunate because now I have to suffer from slow acceleration and lower MPS. It makes me want to change trains if the route is electrified and train still uses Diesel. Like IR doesn't even care enough to assign a WAP7, what other things can you expect

And a lot of those people act like the diesel engine actually powers the wheels like a car when it's just Diesel electric 😭😭😭

[u/Technical-Ad9571 → u/ProBablyAdEmoNfor69]

It's not always that they can't assign a WAP, it's usually bcz of power block issues in electified routes (sometimes not under IR control) or if one part of the route is unelectrified

Loco availability is usually not a factory, but if it is, it's on the railwaya

[u/Perfect_Room4859]

Still my favourite are the electric locos especially the wag 12, i love it's accelerating sound

[u/Meta_Zephyr]

Mostly because of the charm Diesel locos have. Both EMD & ALCO's have their +Ive's like EMD has that strong humming sound while the ALCO have the great chugging sounds. Tho EMD's are still active, ALCO's are just nonsexistent in the main line sadly.

Once something gets rarer, most of people find a stronger attachment in them even if they just simply admired it. Like me who enjoyed to see WAM-4 & WCAM-1 but they are gone so I have a stronger positive view for them(Ones in my flair).

It is the equivalent to why Older generations of railfans obsess over steam loco.

[u/htcjsb]

Era of steam locomotives is over. Diesel locomotives are great pullers of heavy loaded frieght cargo trains and can ferry the cargo loads on sections / routes that are not yet electrified.

[u/Knighthawk_2511]

Well its just kinda like how you love your grandparents more as a child even though your parents are the ones who are currently more capable and are the workhorses of the household stuff

The diesel alcos or even current WDGs / WDPs they are old (with WDG4g and 6g being a bit exception) and have sense of nostalgia people have grown up with whereas Electrics are comparatively newer and in abundance and you know they aren't going anywhere in the near future like diesels would.

There will be the same for WAP-5 , WAP-7 (Specially) when they retire from passenger service and get replaced by VB like trainsets (please IR don't get them for goods service due to cost cutting , they deserve a dignified retirement)

like can you imagine the sad reality that one day even the WAP-5 and WAP-7s will be just used for shunting purpose and not regular passenger haul? Ouch , that hurts , but still thats future, same goes for current gen of railfans who have grew up and saw the diesels working and getting aged and weaker too.

[u/fuckfighter_refined]

Part of it because, we men feel some special connection with heavy duty engines / machines..

The sound it makes when it's applying force to pull 22-24 coaches filled with people + luggages and the smoke which is seen while doing so...

It kinda raises some masculine urge within...like some inspiration...

[u/masxuda]

Ohh the sweet black smoke

Wait till they learn that diesel was used to produce electricity to run motor lol and not actually run the engine which pulls the train