Baltimore and Washington via the B&O railroad's "rail diesel cars"...a kind of self propelled coach that could operate on suburban service either as a single car or a train...the smell of diesel exhaust while walking down the platform...along with the odor of creosote...are very early memories.

Like this pair of Budd RDC-2s:


Oh gawd, you know you're hopelessly hooked on diesels when you already know how these things work...each power truck is diven via a big fluid drive torque converter and cardan shafts from a '6-71 pancake GM Detroit Diesel'.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I realized while watching the film "28 Days Later" that a London "black cab" used in the movie was diesel-powered. I understand these vehicles (AND the lovely old double-decker bus) are going out of style / service, but I'd like to know more...who makes the London cab diesel engines...in fact, who built the whole cars and over what period.

I always thought '80s Peugeot 505 diesels were really beautiful cars (supurb ergonomics...a dashboard change holder that belongs in the MOMA). Think their worst point was limited dealer / service network...PLUS the tendency to rust. Any thoughts on their engines?