Question:
What is objectively better on a train: A horn or a Whistle? Are they both the same or is there a difference in performance that makes one better than the other?
>>889389
I love a steam whistle better. The sound just carries better (objectively and in terms of personal taste)
Not to mention it can be modulated. Each engineer had their own unique signature if you will, that others could identify him by.
I've been meaning to ask this though:
Why are American and English whistles so different?
American whistles have this deeper, commanding tone while the other sounds like an effeminate flute.
>>889503
You can modulate certain horns. You just need to have the right valve. Those stupid push button ones are lame.
The best thing is no whistle at all
Anything that gets in the way of a train will and ought to be destroyed
>>889504
Hmmm, ok. I wasn't sure of that after I posted. They still run on compressed air. I agree, no fun in a button.
Hey, why aren't we posting awesome whistles?! I'll have to go find some later.
>>889505
It's used for communication too, jackass.
>>889503
I dunno, but UK steam whistles vary more wildly.They can be deep and commanding or high pitched.
well, surely whichever is louder? fit the purpose
listen for yourself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEisKYejsAY
>>889389
Horn and whistle each have their own purpose.
>>889649
https://youtu.be/nOGbDhSute4?t=33
>>889649
>It sounds like it's suffering and in pain.
these small locomotives have to work hard pulling up trains full of tourists uphill every day even in winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG0kV0OYUfw
>>889716
Absolutely beautiful scenery.
>>889389
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjEzExukNMs
Europoors will never have a whistle this gorgeous
>>889668
That was a pitiful squeak of a whistle. British whistles just outright aren't loud. But yes, there are LMS locomotives that do have nice deep whistles.
steam, diesel, and electric locomotives in usa are all required to have a bell
>>890294
Do they have to use the bell or just have one?
The underground has whistles
http://youtu.be/2J50h5JOpcE
I hate the sound of us locos with that annoying ding ding ding and droney muffled horn
English horn is much better sounding
http://youtu.be/eKYO8dWD22s
>>890314
Use it, dude. They ring at every crossing, have you not ever heard it?
Low hz sounds carry further but your ears are several magnitudes more sensitive to higher pitched sounds,.
>>889503
US whistles usually produce more notes. Also a horn technically carries better over long distance
MOAR WHISTLES FAGGOTS
various horns and whistles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG1PhmuR26I
>>894287
I couldn't even make it through. It sounded like screaming animals in pain made even worse by shit audio
>>894741
>Think typical amerilard making fun of anything not in the us because it's different
>Listen to the video
>Kekkkkk fuck you are right
>>894746
LOL
thank you for that laugh. That kid's face/reaction was priceless. I cracked up as soon as I recognized he was from the video.
>>890358
They are used primarily in yards as a warning to employees of a moving train, and to warn passengers at a station. The crossing rule is sort of dumb since the horn is far louder than the bell, so it is often not heard.
Also, 99% of new locomotives are equipped with an electronic bell, seen here
<<<
>>894920
Electronic bells a shit. Pneumatic everything is how engines should be. From the brakes to the windshield wipers.
horns and whistles from trains in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz2T_61NPdg
>>894923
they sound shitty, but it beats a frozen up pneumatic one
horns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7JZ8KNXYsQ
>>889503
>Why are American and English whistles so different?
>American whistles have this deeper, commanding tone while the other sounds like an effeminate flute.
It depends on WHY its used.
American railways go through long distances at high average speeds, with ocasional crosssings along the route, so they have to be extremely loud and imposing to warn anybody that a train is coming
>>889807
>TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!!!! TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!!!!
There are european railways that go through populated areas, so they have to remind people that trains are dangerous and to don't stand near.
>>889596
>DEATH MACHINE INCOMING
>Notice how it sounds like a sad flute, bringing death and sadness to anyone near it
And there are the railways that (shouldn't) have to deal with people and cars near, so the horn is only used for communication or to warn passengers that their train arrived.
They are quiet and have a short duration
>>889668
>>890334
>>895097
And here is a example of the variety of sounds for different purposes, while in a same country.
>>897909
Interesting
>>897909
American whistles also are used far more often than European ones are, so they are made to sound a musical chord.
>>898116
I doubt this, horns and whistles are mostly used to warn people about trains. Especially on crossings. There are way more crossings in densely populated Europe.
>>898126
I believe whistles on trains here in the UK are depot whistles, not quite sure what they're for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC-ilqLMVTI
Most train horns sound like this here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrk6_msFPWE
this one sounds like a US horn though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv80uUZvPoU
>>898126
The majority of horns used in the US today sound a B major chord; Three trumpets tuned to D#, F#, and B. This is because they are required to sound the horn at each crossing, so the musical nature helps to lessen complaints.
http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns/k3la.html
>>898546
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKYO8dWD22s
>>898549
Do they play a chord to cut down on complaints? That's so frigging neat.
>>898579
Yes. and because they're designed to sound somewhat similar to steam whistles, which played a similar chord. The big reason was that people thought that the single tone horns were just a truck, which resulted in accidents. The musically tuned horns make people think of a train, and therefore get their attention.
>>898966
My auto correct changed so into do but yeah, that's cool. Wonder who figured that one out.
Fascinating stuff anon, I've learned a lot from you. Thanks
>>899334
Different guy, but when I get home I'll post you a picture of the different types of horn blows and what they mean.
>>899343
Cool anon, I'd appreciate that.
>>899346
Here you go.
>>899361
Based
more whistles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0RF7D6HYPY
>>899334
>Wonder who figured that one out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk1y42FrSHY
this guy
>>902838
That was such a silly video and he was such a silly man.
I liked it.
>>902838
1) can't believe this thread is still alive
2) can't believe there is an interview of this guy that not only still exists but was uploaded to YouTube instead of a film reel languishing in someone's basement
3) that you know of it and found it
You made my morning anon, thank you so much.
This guy is awesome.
Stay based anon.
>>889596
The sound of a great beast wailing in grief.
N&W Hooter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0kVNgf6HA0
