Hi
I have a question about the 5 chime horns on Southern diesel locomotives. I have noticed that they were located at both ends of the locomotive. Were these directional, meaning only one set sounding depending on which way the engine was headed, or did both sets sound at the same time?
Thanks, Ralph
Some locomotives had dual control stands so the engineer would always be on the proper side to see the signals and stations no matter which way the locomotive was running. On locomotives like that, the engineer would use whatever set of horns was at the foward running end of the locomotive.
Thankyou for answering my question. I was wondering if both were used at the same time if the engine crew would have any hearing left by the end of their run!
Ralph
Do have a picture? I can't find any pictures of any loco with horns on both ends. Are you talking about the Southern RR before it became the Norfolk Southern?, and I have never seen a loco with control stands on each end, except maybe some electric locos used in passenger service.
The Southern ran with the long hood forward, which would explain why some horns were on the long hood end. The current NS locos have the horns in the typical locations, depending on the type of loco, either on the roof of the cab or in the middle of the body.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewi ...I have never seen a loco with control stands on each end, except maybe some electric locos used in passenger service.
...I have never seen a loco with control stands on each end, except maybe some electric locos used in passenger service.
Here is a GP38-2 with horns at both ends.
Another one:
You get the idea.
Thanks Bob, the Southern had the tradition of running long hood forward, which I would guess is why the horns are on both ends.
Have heard both horns blowed at the same time.
Russell
Just to say thanks to everyone replied. I guess if both sounded at the same time it could make riding in the cab with the windows and the doors open during hot weather pretty uncomfortable when sounding the horns at road crossings. I have seen photos of Western Maryland diesel locomotives with twin 5 chime horns also. I saw a Youtube video on a CSX Genset tour and it also had horns at both ends, but they said those horns were directional, meaning only one set sounded at a time depending on the direction of the locomotive.
Thanks again, Ralph
Ralpf,
The SR locomotives that were equipped with dual horns had horns that were activated by electric valves on each end. The circuit from the engineer's horn control went through the reverser so that the only horn that blew was the one in the direction of travel.
Charlie
Charlie,
Thanks, this is the answer I was looking for!