Train Horn Primer

By: Eugene Brenner

We've all heard it, that penetrating steady tone blast from a
passing locomotive. It is designed to warn motorists or anyone
in the right-of-way to stand clear, that danger is imminent for
the unaware motorist or passer-by. Horns may also be used to
signal other trains, railway stations or brakemen.

Although air horns are used in emergency vehicles and trucks,
it's the train whistle that stirs the imagination. Like trains
in general, these tones evoke a strong nostalgic response in
those who grew up near a railroad. It was Hank Williams that so
aptly described in song that "lonesome whistle blow." Many
youngsters have grown to adulthood with their fondness for
diesel train horns intact. Today, there are many hobbyists who
avidly collect these horns and refurbish them. The internet has
allowed these collectors to band together to promote and share
their hobby. Common collectible train horn manufacturers include
Nathan, Leslie, Wabco and Prime. Only Nathan Manufacturing, Inc.
and Leslie Controls, Inc. are still in existence today.

All air horns operate in a similar manner. Imagine for a moment
a megaphone type loudspeaker. It has a magnet, a voice coil and
a diaphragm. After an applied electrical input, the diaphragm
vibrates causing sound waves. The air horn is a type of speaker
too but is actuated by air rather than an electrical/magnetic
current. Air pressure causes the diaphragm to rapidly open and
close the airway many times a second. This is heard by the ear
as a steady tone.

Many hobbyists can determine a train horn model simply by
listening to its tone. The pitch of a train horn is affected by
many variables. The diameter of the air inlet orifice determines
the loudness. The internal components and the bell horn material
also affect whether the tone will be mellow, sharp or
in-between. The size and shape of the bell horn also changes the
tone.

Air horns are supplied by an air tank. The tank holds a finite
quantity of air so it needs to be re-filled by an air compressor
or "pump." True diesel air horns need plenty of compressed air
so hobbyists recommend a minimum 20 gallon tank. Compressors are
usually of the gasoline type and can run to large 10HP
behemoths. A collector usually mounts the air horn on a truck or
truck bed for demonstration purposes and to test different
configurations.

Pickup truck and SUV owners represent a growing market for train
horns. These scaled down versions are typically bought new in a
kit for easy installation. Vehicle owners are drawn to the
flashy chrome appearance and the "hear me now" loud horn blast.
The better quality horns are usually three for four horn chrome
plated bracketed arrays. These horns are tuned to produce the
most authentic train horn sound.

The kit typically involves a 12 volt compressor running off the
battery and a one to three gallon steel air tank running to a
high flow solenoid valve. Separate tubes run to each horn in the
system. These kits can also be installed in a car, boat or RV.
If you are considering purchasing a train horn kit for your
personal vehicle, check with your local ordinance. Train horns
easily produce sound levels of up to 175DB. Common sense
dictates using these horns like you use your own horn, only when
needed.

Article Source: http://collectibles-articles.com

Gene Brenner is a webmaster of a company that offers "train horns" and "train horn kits" to car and truck drivers who want a true train horn sound. He also buys and sells websites which makes him knowledgeable in several disciplines.

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