With help from a forum member (a GTW railfan), I located a company in West Virginia (mdwhistles.com), and purchased a Nathan 5 chime whistle. With the manufacturer's suggestions, I've installed it to run off a 60 gallon 150psi air compressor using 1" steel water pipe. I thought the forum members might enjoy the results. The first video link is a profile shot of the whistle mounted in my vegetable garden. All you'll hear are the birds. The second video link is the whistle in action. Due to the limitations of laptop microphones and webcams, the recording/filming was done from a significant distance, and required pointing the pc away from the whistle to eliminate distortion. You will notice the poor image quality -- webcam resolution leaves something to be desired.
watch?v=6OpXgqkD51c
watch?v=bv8DuFoSW3I&feature=plcp
So it's good for scaring the birds out of the garden? I wonder what my neighbors would say?
I was going to ask how do you think it'd do with a 16 gallon tank. But it sounds like you're sort of at the minimum flow capacity for good operation already and you wouldn't want a smaller tank?
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I thought it would spook my neighbor's cows, but they are very curious by nature and the sound actually brings them to the fence in a hurry. It definitely has their undivided attention. Most of my neighbors live at least 300 yards away or more. Without question they hear it, but more than one has dismissed it as the real thing since we live less than a mile from the UP mainline (BNSF and Amtrak also have trackage rights) -- I am discreet in that I pretty much use it during weekday mornings when most people are at work, and the wind is light, providing the best conditions to enjoy the echos off the hillsides. The whistle will drain a 60 gallon tank in about 6 seconds if left enabled continuously, so I use a ball valve to give short bursts. The manufacturer specified a 1" line (no larger - no smaller) and a 60 gallon tank as the minimum for decent performance. Needless to say, it uses a large volume of air. I don't think this technology would fly in a suburban setting - it is very loud - something on the order of 115db - I am told a diesel locomotive horn is around 100db, by comparison.....the manufacturer warned me to wear hearing protection. But it is a hoot!
That is too cool. I have been wanting to get a whistle (or a diesel air horn) for awhile now, mainly to have for New Years Eve. (I have, for the past few years, been using a set of horns off an old Mack truck to ring in the new year, but I think it would be a nice up-grade to use something a little bigger)
If you don't mind my asking, How much did the whistle cost?
This design was $540 plus $45 for UPS ground shipping. You can contact Mike @ mdwhistles.com at phone number 304-366-3488, for pricing information. One of the cool things about Mike's whistles is that the "bell" assemblies are interchangeable. I plan to have a GTW 6 chime bell made later this year. To change the bell, you just remove the big nut on the shaft holding the bell on, and install a different bell for the new sound. A replacement bell is $225, plus shipping. Each whistle is made when the order is placed.
LOL!!!!! Great Job.
You reminded me of another guy
watch?v=UQm1nw ZlPc&list=FLHK3NMJlsKcIHi1wS5OGPg&index=47&feature=plppvideo
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
So, That's how much the whistle cost? I'll admit, while I don't quite have enough for one yet, they are not as expensive as I first thought (The only whistles I have seen were all over $1000 for a "real" one)
I do like the option to change out the bells. That sounds like a good deal there. It's almost like the air horns, with swaping out the bells.
I'll have to remember these whistles when I save up a little bit of money. Thank you for leting me know about them
Everything you wanted to know about train horns can probably be found here:
http://www.trainhornforums.com/showthread.php?t=2984
It's amazing all the different hobby nooks and crannies that people get involved in (I'm not in any way making fun of them).
Okay, I'm jealous! That is way cool! Now if only I can find a way to mount it in the bed of my truck....
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
I pursued a pickup truck bed mount design, but for now have dismissed it due to the expense. A horizontally-oriented air compressor of the size required (60 gallon) is available - at a very unattractive price. Then there's the power issue, a 12vdc motor or a gas engine to run it. Well beyond the limits of my allowance. I think the sound level would truly be frightening if used on the road - it would have to be reserved for use in the forest.....
...plus I don't think local law enforcement would be very happy
I didn't realize how high my volume was on my computer when I pressed play. It called my dogs in and my wife a few room away heard it. Very cool and someday I'll have to get one. Thanks for sharing.
Steve
Acela026 ...plus I don't think local law enforcement would be very happy
They won't be real happy at all. But, I have heard that it is possible to bring the air flow down to a legal (for highway) level, by restricting the air flow (For a great example of this, scroll down to the ad for Nathan Airchime on this link: http://www.hornandwhistle.com/forsale.htm) All that this does is slow the air to the whistle (or horn) so it does not sound as loud, and it can be done with using smaller diamiter pipes (Even though 1" is recomended for real train horns and whistles, they do work with smaller diamiter pipes)
Granted, it may not be that practical, but if you can find a compressor that works (or a large tank to safely hold the air) it is possible. As always, though, it's a good idea to check the laws first.
If you control the amount and pressure of air going to the whistle, you may be able to "quill" it; it's a technique used by the old-time engineers to vary the volume and pitch of the sound, Properly done, you can almost play tunes on the thing. Lower pressure = lower tones, and vice versa. It's easiest when the whistle is controlled by a lever, instead of a cord.
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Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
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"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
Very nice I thought the Miwaukee road video was great .I got big kick out the las swquence ith the air horn sounding off and then just a little car rolling out of the tunnel. I did get to see some of the Milwaukee Road in the Bitterroots, 2 weeks after the Joes stopped running unfortunately.
Ron High
gmcrail If you control the amount and pressure of air going to the whistle, you may be able to "quill" it; it's a technique used by the old-time engineers to vary the volume and pitch of the sound, Properly done, you can almost play tunes on the thing. Lower pressure = lower tones, and vice versa. It's easiest when the whistle is controlled by a lever, instead of a cord.
I was thinking the same thing. See if you can find a spring loaded valve to return the valve closed. This way you can feather the pressure like the old rope pulls. Even better get a heavy spring and build your own with a hole in the valve handle I also had my volume cranked....I have my volume hooked to my stereo!!!
That is hilarious! Reminds me of Red Green.