What does a properly working American Flyer air chime whistle sound like? My Alco PB sounds like a buzzer, not a whistle. Is this how it's supposed to sound? The references on the Port Lines hint and tips page mentions adjusting the whistle generator, but I didn't see further information on how to do it. Help please.
Thanks,
PHM
It does sound like a buzzer not a horn or a whistle. I don't know about any adjustments without removing the can cover from the generator. The inside has mutiple strips of metal (brass or copper) with one of them vibrating when voltage is appled to te unit. Change the frequency of the vibration and change the tone of the buzz.
Bill
Then, perhaps mine is working as intended. I did have to open the can and clean the contacts to get it to work. I just wasn't sure how it was supposed to sound.
My parents bought me a brand new American Flyer Silver Streak for Christmas 1952. It had the 405 engine with the "melodious Nathan Air Chime whistle rather than the raucous Diesel blast and do away with troublesome freeze ups on steam whistles."
As much as I love Gilbert American Flyer, the Nathan Air Chime just did not do as advertised. Even on the 'American Flyer Railroad Boy's Club' programs the sound is enhanced, and still did not give the illusion as advertised.
My strongest memory of the air chime whistle in the 290 loco that came with the set that got me into this mess in the first place is that operating it slowed the train considerably. As I recall, the steam version didn't sound awful but man it slowed that train. Dad and I hooked it up a couple times and then put it away forever.
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
With all of the talent that I see on this forum, I guess the next question should be, has anyone found any way to make any of the AF whistles and horns sound good?
I have a 336, and an ALCO PA-PB unit and I think the buzz is about the same, no real horn or whistle sound that I can appreciate. I have tried different generator cans and didn't note any change.
Thank you,
George
aflyer With all of the talent that I see on this forum, I guess the next question should be, has anyone found any way to make any of the AF whistles and horns sound good? Thank you, George
Yep, as an HO guy with my layout sitting next to the American Flyer layout, I just sound the horns and whistles from an HO scale steam engine and a Baldwin diesel with my DCC throttle. The HO scale engines are hidden on the American Flyer layout. Work like a charm. Of course, I realize that it is cheating, but hey.
Rich
Alton Junction
You have three options: 1. Use the old AF whistles and horns, and wait till someone with a lot of talent comes up with a fix. 2. Install digital sound in your talking station. 3. Go with a ZW transformer with updated diodes and Rail Sound. I myself I went with the last two. Watch the video link for full details.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUMonqlRrAQ
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
AZ-Flyer@American Flyer Cabinet-top Layout (5'x16'): http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/
Does anyone know how to adjust the vibrator between the two contacts for maximum vibration? After cutting off the can top and cleaning the contacts I have restored two of my Air Chime Whistle Generators back to working order, but one buzzes much better than the other. I drilled some holes in the can to hear the buzzing better but I am not sure how to increase the vibration. Should the contacts be further separated, should the screws and nuts on the base of the vibrator be loose or tight? Should the vibrating strip be bent a certain way? There are so many variables and I don't want to break it now that it is working.
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