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Horn Sound for Union Pacific C44-9W

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Horn Sound for Union Pacific C44-9W
Posted by PennCentral99 on Friday, August 8, 2014 8:06 PM

I have tried searching the internet and so forth, but can't seem to find an answer. I have recently installed dcc with sound in an HO scale C44-9W, painted with the Union Pacific scheme and would like the horn sound to be prototypical. I'm guessing the prototype was built in the late 1990's.

I currently have the horn set to a Nathan P3. I also like the sound of the Nathan K5LA. So, for you seasoned veterans, what horn/tone did Union Pacific use on their C44-9W?

Soundtraxx has it set to a Nathan M3

thanks, Terry

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Posted by cowman on Friday, August 8, 2014 10:22 PM

Terry,

Can't help you with the sound for yor loco, but I was asking the same question for my loco/road recently.  I went to the roads historical society, that's where I got my answer, but other suggestions were made:  Locomotive manufacturer or their historical site.  Post a photo of the horn, evidently shape can give a clue.  This part of the forums was also recommended, but you are already here.

I had scrolled through the library of horns installed on my decoder while waiting for an answer.  I liked the one, which I eventually found was the correct one. 

Good luck,

Richard

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Posted by JOHN BRUCE III on Saturday, August 9, 2014 9:04 AM

This looks like a Nathan M3. UP 9-44CWs original to UP, and also those from CNW, had 3-chime Leslies originally, but at some time after the SP merger, UP decided it liked SP Nathans better -- although SP used P3s. My photos of UP 9-44CWs show pretty much anything, though.

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Saturday, August 9, 2014 10:12 AM

Richard and John,

Thanks for your feedback and information. Seems like this information may be a little elusive, but it'll be a fun learning experience trying to fnd the answer.

There aren't very many overhead or side pics of the prototype (UP 9807) that show the horn. This is about the best shot of the horn on the prototype......

Here is a pic of the horn on the model. May/may not be prototypically correct, Athearn could have thrown anything on that they had laying around.....

Guess I could say it suffered a bird strike and had to be swapped out, but there weren't any original parts around. Seems like I'm gonna stick with the Nathan P3 (and John's description). Hopefully there's someone on here who worked on/around these and can shed some sound on the subject.

Thanks again!

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, August 10, 2014 6:55 PM

All those UP horns sound different to me.  Maybe you can find one that sounds like one of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkpEjifRxvI

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Monday, August 11, 2014 8:37 PM

maxman

All those UP horns sound different to me.  Maybe you can find one that sounds like one of these:

That's quite a compilation! Seems like I'll just have to go with Rule #1 - My railroad, I'll pick what best suits me. Big Smile

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