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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45 Hey AntiGates,- It's not the locomotive so much as the horn that can be individualized for a railroad. Wear and tear are also factors in decible levels. Damaged or worn out horns are rebuilt or replaced on newer and older locomotives alike. But typically a K5LA horn on a CSX SD4-2 can sound exactly like a K5LA on a CSX GE Dash 9. Unless, for example, one of the units happens to be equipped with choke fittings to "muffle" it slightly. Then the horn's "character" would be altered. I bring up the K5 because it is well known for being very LOUD and one of the most commonly heard horns today. It's been around since 1980. For those that don't know what a K5LA sounds like, just listen to an Amtrak Genesis diesel as the majority of them have this horn as did most of the F40s. The Canadian K5H is another loud horn. I like the higher "trumpet like" sound that this horn emits as it's a nice contrast to the K5LA. Even the "Americanized" version still has this type of sound. Check out http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns You can e-mail Matt Donnelly with horn questions. He really knows his stuff! [/quote] Thanks! My curio is based upon the simple observation that the horns i hear everyday (now) border upon annoying, due to loudness, whereas, 30 years ago, they weren't quite that loud. Bear in mind that I'm talking about a half mile from the crossing, but if I played my home stereo to the volume that it could be heard outside at the same relative (local) volume as those half mile away locos, my neighbors would be calling the cops, sure as shootin' Just as a qualifying referance, these trains never wake me up, as I am a "dead to the world" sound sleeper. And I often find irritation with those who are "light sleepers" who bring their grievances to me, as if *that* were my problem. Often I suspect these are the same neurotics who claim "a dripping faucet kept me awake all night". etc. Likely some of these types are laying in bed frustrated, unable to get to sleep anyway, and along comes a train, what a PERFECT whipping boy for their problems. So, I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the railroads in this instance. But, by the same token, I wouldn't say the railroads hands are perfectly clean either, since the horns are noticeably louder these days.
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