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a train whistle for the garden

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  • Member since
    February 2009
  • 8 posts
a train whistle for the garden
Posted by cbower2 on Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:51 PM

I would really like to rig up a train whistle for my garden train.  It doesn't have to been in the engine or rolling stock but it could be in one of the houses or even right next to the transformer/power supply.Is there a way with some simple wiring that I can hook to the power supply, add a button and a whistle of some kind? 

My son would love it.  It is always pressing the button on the Lionel transformer to make that whistle blow and he woudl love to do it outside too.  Ok, I won't kid you I would like it too.

Thanks,

Carl

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:15 PM

Carl, this is a three step process.

1. Go to your favorite train store/train show/county fair or what ever and find yourself a good whistle. Most of the ones I've seen have half-inch hole to blow into.

2. Go to your favorite auto parts supply store. Pick up a simple air horn kit. It has a 12-volt DC air compressor. Most of the air pumps will work fine on anything from 9 to 18 volts. Read the box carefully.

3. Go to your favorite plumbing store. Bring the train whistle and the air pump from the air horn kit, tell the sales associate that you need everything to connect these two items.

 

p.s.  about 9 years ago I put mine under the hood of my pckup truck.  Of course I make sure there are no police in the area when I push the button.  I tossed the "three horn" tree and installed a metal train whistle that needed to have some threads cut so I could hook it up.

Tom Trigg

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