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Engine Sounds....

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Engine Sounds....
Posted by Kyle_Y on Saturday, July 24, 2010 11:22 PM

 So from my house, I watch UP and BNSF switchers and main line locos rumble by. One thing I can't figure out...that bloorp noise every few seconds or so. Any ideas?

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Posted by MJChittick on Saturday, July 24, 2010 11:39 PM

I am guessing you're hearing the air compressors "popping off".

Mike

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Posted by silicon212 on Sunday, July 25, 2010 12:26 AM

Yup, the sound of air compressors on GE locomotives kicking in.  More of a 'whoooiiiph' sound.

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Posted by The Railwolf on Sunday, July 25, 2010 4:14 AM

 What, you mean this? (towards the end)

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2vLjISmv6U

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Posted by RRKen on Sunday, July 25, 2010 1:49 PM

Not this again?  My suggestion, sit by a unit for about 30 minutes.  Listen closely to what is going on, and where it is coming from.  Look up on the internet where the major parts on that type of locomtive are located.  Combine the two, andI bet you will have your own answer.

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, July 25, 2010 2:44 PM
It's the GE RLS.  (General Electric Railfan Locator System)  The whoo-oops are the sound of the RLS uploading railfan location information to the USA-RT1 (Railfan tracking 1) satellite.  The information is then stored at a database in an abandoned mine in western PA.  The database is powered by the PRR T-1 steam locomotive, hooked up to a steam generator.  

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Posted by samfp1943 on Sunday, July 25, 2010 2:59 PM

zugmann
It's the GE RLS.  (General Electric Railfan Locator System)  The whoo-oops are the sound of the RLS uploading railfan location information to the USA-RT1 (Railfan tracking 1) satellite.  The information is then stored at a database in an abandoned mine in western PA.  The database is powered by the PRR T-1 steam locomotive, hooked up to a steam generator.  

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                    zug! Grumpy  

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, July 25, 2010 3:23 PM

 Yeah, I am.  The mine is actually in West Virginia...

 

...but you didn't hear it from me! Wink

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Posted by The Railwolf on Monday, July 26, 2010 1:14 AM

zugmann
It's the GE RLS.  (General Electric Railfan Locator System)  The whoo-oops are the sound of the RLS uploading railfan location information to the USA-RT1 (Railfan tracking 1) satellite.  The information is then stored at a database in an abandoned mine in western PA.  The database is powered by the PRR T-1 steam locomotive, hooked up to a steam generator.  

 

 

That is EPIC. xD

 

From your avatar, I get the feeling that I may know you from elsewhere... xD

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Posted by almoser on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:03 PM

that is air

 

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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:27 AM

The Railwolf

 

That is EPIC. xD

 

From your avatar, I get the feeling that I may know you from elsewhere... xD

 

 

I swap avatars on here pretty frequently...  but I'm curious - from where?

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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:29 AM

almoser

that is air

 

 

 

Nowhere near as bad as air that is discharged from certain hoggers and conductors, though...

 But if that comes with a "whooo---ooops!"... then it's advisable to leave the premises and fast!

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Thursday, July 29, 2010 9:47 AM

 Activated the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2vLjISmv6U  

It's only 0:39 long, and the air compressor kicks on pretty clearly at about 0:32.  Kind of sounds like a very short submarine diving alarm or Klaxon horn - the ''Ahh-oohh-gaa'' type - to me . . . Smile,Wink, & Grin

And zug's got it almost right - it's the Railfan Locator System, but this is the component that's the 'lure' which attracts them to within range to be mesmerize by all things railroad, and then labeled and categorized forevermore . . . Mischief 

- Paul North. 

 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)

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