Here, the grade crossing signals have modern wig-wag flashers retrofitted to the original Magnetic Flagman post on the yard side, plus additional flashers on their own post on the State Route 84 side.
Honers were "usually" either the Leslie A-200 or the WABCO E-2. Not sure which one this is. The Wabco "honk" was slightly deeper or lower than the Leslie. They were cool sounding horns, but when not maintained properly, either honker sounded like a Canadian goose with a very sore throat!
I remember seeing one of the first GP7s on the New York Central in the late fifties and almost flipping out. Then, I managed to get a cab ride and couldn't sleep for a week!
There are still a couple of wigwags still in use on the Amtrak California Zephyr route in the Rockies. Neat stuff! BTW, this is the first time I ever saw port-a-potties on a moving train!!!
I remember CB&Q F7's sounding like that growing up. They would wake me at night, with the proper 2 longs, one short, then one real long blast for a grade crossing. This engineer should have given a proper salute.
Just another old time (Santa Fe) rail here.....shoudn't the final long after two longs and a short continue until the locomotive has crossed the grade crossing?
This bogus horn blowing is even worse than trainmen not removing their caps when walking through dining cars while meals are being served.
This F7 was built with the same horns that are on it now. All WP freight F7's kept the same horns until they were retired. It would be wrong to change it now, this is a museum. M5's are great - but not on this engine. The horn is in good shape - the back cap is tight and the diaphragm is not cracked. The engineer seemed a bit timid about using the horn that day. Also, to answer another question - 90 lbs of air to operate.
yah I agree the M5s were used on the California Zephyr passenger diesels as I recall. the one I saw if I remember had the M5 on it they brought it down to Sparks Nevada a few years ago for the WP convention and on that note I just saw the WP heritage unit leading a freight down off Donner Pass last week in Sparks Nevada a very pretty unit but it has a K5LA for the horn and not an M5 which would be appropriate I think
This IS the true sound of a period correct F7. Most trains back then sounded like that. Specially the F units. Now they did have some with a different note, but they were different from a K5. I wish amtrak would put these babies on the ones they use, then they would have that historic look and sound of a true F unit.
Me, too! Can't use the old Harrimans' crappers any more, I guess, as they don't measure up to modern disposal standards. You'd think they could do a little upgrading inside one of the cars, though...
I've always been a fan of the Leslie "honker" horns. However, these horns do sound a bit worn which is understandable, considering their age. They may need servicing or a rebuild kit.
There's a Southern Pacific Black Widow paint scheme SD9 #5472 in Brightside Yard. It's restored and runs, but I haven't caught it pulling the excursion train yet.
Here, the grade crossing signals have modern wig-wag flashers retrofitted to the original Magnetic Flagman post on the yard side, plus additional flashers on their own post on the State Route 84 side.
bcschmerker 1 year ago
If I remember right most freight F's in original condition had a pair of Leslie blats, or variants, one facing forward, one facing rearward.
RustedBovine 2 years ago 2
you are correct, either that or they had 2 wabco e-2s like this one does
pengapop12 2 years ago
THis is cool
Thanks
TL250Rider 2 years ago
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Copy and paste if you think A-200s are the best trains horns EVER!
LNERMallard 2 years ago
i ♥ a200s!
UberNoobtard 2 years ago
Those old EMD's are sweeeeeeeeeet !
rusttrail3 2 years ago 2
nice horn..
xodgpc 2 years ago
wigwags!!
A lot of crossings in usa seem to be at T junctions so u turn off road and u r on the crossing!
If a train is coming u will have to block up main road...if u see it!
tpvalley 2 years ago
That's by far the weirdest sounding train whistle I've ever heard. Cool but weird.
Baltimora1957 2 years ago
Honers were "usually" either the Leslie A-200 or the WABCO E-2. Not sure which one this is. The Wabco "honk" was slightly deeper or lower than the Leslie. They were cool sounding horns, but when not maintained properly, either honker sounded like a Canadian goose with a very sore throat!
ACLTony 3 years ago 2
she has duel Leslie A-200's one for forward and one for backing the 1423 used to have an E-2 but it was replaced with a p-3 a few years ago
kevin2472 2 years ago 2
that was a nice horn man it makes some of the new horns sound like an old japense car
F7Aengineer 3 years ago 2
I remember seeing one of the first GP7s on the New York Central in the late fifties and almost flipping out. Then, I managed to get a cab ride and couldn't sleep for a week!
TECHKLEC 3 years ago
Comment removed
foxthorne 3 years ago 2
There are still a couple of wigwags still in use on the Amtrak California Zephyr route in the Rockies. Neat stuff! BTW, this is the first time I ever saw port-a-potties on a moving train!!!
ultragor 3 years ago 2
love it! my son is two yrs old , loves trains... we just watched your vid 25 times
;-)
royalsolobassoon 3 years ago
I remember CB&Q F7's sounding like that growing up. They would wake me at night, with the proper 2 longs, one short, then one real long blast for a grade crossing. This engineer should have given a proper salute.
oldrustycars 3 years ago
Just another old time (Santa Fe) rail here.....shoudn't the final long after two longs and a short continue until the locomotive has crossed the grade crossing?
This bogus horn blowing is even worse than trainmen not removing their caps when walking through dining cars while meals are being served.
Roycru 3 years ago
is that a train truck gosh weird horn! its like a truck! lol
trainlova12 3 years ago
nice horn. lol
ttop9999 3 years ago
INTERESSANTE. GOOD VIDEO
josecarlosfarina 3 years ago 3
It does. I'm afraid of trains and of the different whistles I've heard I've never heard one like that before.
Baltimora1957 3 years ago
It sounds like a duck or goose that's using a megaphone lol!!
Baltimora1957 3 years ago
thats is so funney I have never heard that description of a single chime whistle before LOL but come to think of it you are right
gaycowboy31 3 years ago
This F7 was built with the same horns that are on it now. All WP freight F7's kept the same horns until they were retired. It would be wrong to change it now, this is a museum. M5's are great - but not on this engine. The horn is in good shape - the back cap is tight and the diaphragm is not cracked. The engineer seemed a bit timid about using the horn that day. Also, to answer another question - 90 lbs of air to operate.
danosf 3 years ago 3
yah I agree the M5s were used on the California Zephyr passenger diesels as I recall. the one I saw if I remember had the M5 on it they brought it down to Sparks Nevada a few years ago for the WP convention and on that note I just saw the WP heritage unit leading a freight down off Donner Pass last week in Sparks Nevada a very pretty unit but it has a K5LA for the horn and not an M5 which would be appropriate I think
gaycowboy31 3 years ago
we have one in our town that sounds like a Union Pacific. and another one on a GTW geep that sounded a bit lighter than this one does
bigshow196 3 years ago
Comment removed
LNERMallard 3 years ago
This IS the true sound of a period correct F7. Most trains back then sounded like that. Specially the F units. Now they did have some with a different note, but they were different from a K5. I wish amtrak would put these babies on the ones they use, then they would have that historic look and sound of a true F unit.
bigshow196 3 years ago
It's not so much the pressure, rather put an A-200 up next to a truck horn and the A-200 is bloody HUGE in comparison. It's the size that does it ;)
lt1caprice57l 3 years ago
Great sounding horn!
railcar123 4 years ago
Great! They should've had a Nathan M-5 on it
TrainmasterCurt 4 years ago
Great! They should've had a Nathan M-5 on it
TrainmasterCurt 4 years ago
Why was he thumbs downed? A properly tuned M5 is the best sounding air horn ever made.
lt1caprice57l 3 years ago
Boy, that Leslie Tyfon A-200-156 needs to be inspected. Sounds like the backcap might be coming undone. Great Video!
AODProds 4 years ago
Of course it's supposed to sound like that. Most diesels did in the old days.
LightMyFire92 4 years ago
i love the video but im still laughing at the gondola full of portapotties
DX721 4 years ago
Me, too! Can't use the old Harrimans' crappers any more, I guess, as they don't measure up to modern disposal standards. You'd think they could do a little upgrading inside one of the cars, though...
ediirwin 4 years ago
Nice vintage RR, but that horn sounds like the world's loudest fart.
SurfCityBoi 4 years ago 8
Very nice. Thanks for sharing!
GP9railfan 4 years ago
I've always been a fan of the Leslie "honker" horns. However, these horns do sound a bit worn which is understandable, considering their age. They may need servicing or a rebuild kit.
ACLTony 4 years ago
That's the original horn F7s came with. It's called an A-200.
LightMyFire92 4 years ago 8
Cool!!! Two antique power units still running good!!!
TECHKLEC 4 years ago
There's a Southern Pacific Black Widow paint scheme SD9 #5472 in Brightside Yard. It's restored and runs, but I haven't caught it pulling the excursion train yet.
cchan006 4 years ago
Those wigwags are AWESOME!!! They have standard flashers below them, how uncommon, and I must say that is unusal.
Bellwestern80 4 years ago
actually, those were the first train horns. Just truck horns.
ronthecyborg 4 years ago
The horns on the F7 are Leslie Tyfon A-200's. A lot of F's (and some GP7's and GP9's) had them; i LOVE them! Excellent video!
2GUNBOY 4 years ago
The horns on the F7 are Leslie Tyfon A-200's. A lot of F's (and some GP7's and GP9's) had those; i LOVE them!
2GUNBOY 4 years ago
I always loved the F7 Locomotoives, the GP7's are cool too! BTW, just out of curiosity, where is the Niles Canyon Railway? Great Video :-)
jackmap 4 years ago
Alot of F Units had single chime horns like that, while they aren't that appealing, it's true!
ortingdude 4 years ago