Originally Posted by Joe Hohmann:
"Real" engines have a cow-catcher, headlight, protection from the elements for the cab crew, and a deep sounding whistle.
I imagine from the European perspective, "real" engines have buffers, screw-link couplings and high pitched whistles.
BTW, you have heard the Pennsy "banshee" whistle? (and I'm told the D&RGW had some pretty high pitch whistles on some of their locomotives...) They sound mighty European to me...
Rusty