How do you tell the diference between locomotives by listening to their bells, horns, ect?

[Anonymous]

How do you tell the diference between locomotives or manufacters (i.e. GE, Alco) by listening to their bells, horns, ect? what's this?>>> http://www.atlasrr.com/sound/105-42.mp3

[ericboone]

I can't describe the difference, but the engines from GE and EMD as well as old Alcos do sound different. Just have someone play the sound of the varios locomotives and you'll pick it up.
Horns sound different too. Think of the horn as a group of trumpets that each play their own single note. The horns sound different because different manufacturers use different notes and even different numbers of "trumpets". This same logic applies to steam whistles too.

[Anonymous]

Probably the most reliable way to tell the difference between manufacturers is to listen to the prime movers. EMD sounds different than GE, and different than ALCO or FM. Want to make it more complicated? try picking out which generation the diesel is by the prime mover!

DJT

[jkeaton]

You often can't tell the difference between locomotives by their horns, as each railroad has/had its own preferences as to horns, so EMDs, Alcos, GEs could all have the same horn on one railroad. Some railroads like the single note hooters, others went for 3 or even 5 note horns - and different combinations of notes.

Jim

[AntonioFP45]

Well put JKeaton

As I mentioned in another post, certain railroads favor particular horns. This is why if one wants to learn about horns to go check 5 Chime Horn Consultants. With a Media Player on your computer you can educate yourself in identifying horns when you hear them.

BNSF6733
This is tricky but with practice you can get good regarding regarding Diesel Locomotive Engine Sounds; here's some old Rules of Thumb:

Alco Diesels 1st and 2nd generation: They sound like Harley Davidson bikes on steroids Basically: "Diddy-Wump"--"Diddy-Wump"---"Diddy-Wump"...................

GE diesels: Tend to "Chug-Chug-Chug-Chug.The old U-Boats with the FDL16s were especially loud ( I enoyed hearing them!). The newer GEs are more subdued, but at idle and full throttle you can easily identify it.

EMD 2nd Generation: These have a neat sounding turbo charged "Whine" to them. The turbo is much more audible than a GEs.

Here's the easiest way to learn to recognize these prime mover sounds. Go to
www.soundtraxx.com When you get there, click on the purple "Soundtraxx DCC" box. Then click on "Sound Samples". You will have some EXCELLENT samples of EMD, GE, ALCO, and even Fairbanks Morse. Spend 30 minutes or so listening and you'll become an expert at identifying diesel sounds.[;)]

Dont forget to check out the horn website I mentioned above!

[Virginian]

Practice.

[Anonymous]

Yea, it's kinda like identifying birds by their song -- practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, no one makes a "train identifying" tape or CD like the ones they have for bird songs (that I know of, anyway).

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jsalemi

Yea, it's kinda like identifying birds by their song -- practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, no one makes a "train identifying" tape or CD like the ones they have for bird songs (that I know of, anyway).

Just go to the Soundtraxx site for the diesel engines and the 5 Chime Horn Consultants for the horns. You'll learn a lot in just a short time!![;)]

Since both of our homes are near the CSX mainline, my wife's cousin is amazed when I hear a train coming and I immdietly identify the horn as a K5H, K5LA, S5T, etc. and can also tell if there is at least one GE in the consist. [:p][;)]

[Anonymous]

can you tell wether a loco is GP or SD? I listened to the samples and see the diference. can i get some more websites or is that the best? thanks, this helps alot! oh ya, what's the diference between the like K5 and KL5 horn stuff you are talking about?

[Anonymous]

and also what's the diference between the 3 chimers and 5 chimers and that kind of stuff?

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

can you tell wether a loco is GP or SD? I listened to the samples and see the diference. can i get some more websites or is that the best? thanks, this helps alot! oh ya, what's the diference between the like K5 and KL5 horn stuff you are talking about?

In the same series, IE a GP40 from an SD40, just by the sound? No, not really, because all the machinery is identical in them except for the trucks. And if someone tells me they can hear the difference between 4 traction motors and 6 traction motors, I'm gonna call BS... [:D]


--Randy

[AntonioFP45]

BNSF,

O.K, regarding the "Chimers" that's simple. A 3 chime horn uses 3 trumpets while a 5 chimer has 5 trumpets. Now as for the letter designations, just go to the website link I first mentioned above.

I'm not an authority, which is why it's better read the info posted on the websight by Matt Donelly. He's the "Horn Guru". Click on the desingated horns since they're highlighted and you'll notice the individual sounds. You'll notice that even horns within the same family, like an S3 and S5, sound similar yet, those two extra trumpets on the S5 make all the difference. Tuning is the major factor, but again this is explained on the 5 Chime site.

As RRinker points out, the diesel engine's sounds within the same family are virtually identical. The GP40 and SD40 both use a 645 series EMD diesel so basically the sound's identical. Just like an F7, GP7, and SD9 used the 567 series diesel. Now of course, just as with cars, two locomotives with the same systems won't always sound exactly alike. Wear and tear, tuneups, and modifications can produce "subtle differences" in sound, but the basics are the same.

[Anonymous]

what is Matt Donelly's website.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

what is Matt Donelly's website.

See if this link works:

http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns

[Anonymous]

There were significant differences in the sounds of the first generation EMDs. I liked the sound of an E7 much better than an E8. The E7 was a bit deeper, louder, and raspier. If you were lucky enough to be above a cut of mixed EMDs, like on a bridge, there were distinct differences in the sound of a GP7 from a GP9 and from an F3 or F7. Why, I don't know, I just enjoyed the variety.

[Anonymous]

i was out today and heard a locomotive(s) a couple miles away and only heard the horn. a little question about horns. do the 3 chimers have a higher pitch and the 5 chimers a lower pitch? i checked out that guy's website and really like it. on model [HO] [diesel] locomotives i have noticed only 3 chimer and 1 chimer horns. do some model [HO] [diesel] locomotives have any 5 chimer horns? thanks

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

I checked out that guy's website (5 Chime Consultants) and really like it. On model [HO] [diesel] locomotives i have noticed only 3 chimer and 1 chimer horns. do some model [HO] [diesel] locomotives have any 5 chimer horns? thanks

O.K, now this one I can answer!

Manufacturers tend to keep costs down by adding certain detailing parts in a "generic" fashion. The old streamlined cab units with the single chimers, everything else with 3 chimers. (This explains Athearns horrid looking horns on their BlueBox units)

The solution: Piece of cake! [;)]

Check out Details West & Detail Associates. They manufacture a wide variety of 1,3, and 5 chime "Metal" horns. They look good and the average price is about $3.50. Just paint them and install! NO GENERICS. For example, the Leslie RS-5T 5 chimer looks different from the Nathan K5LA horn, just like the prototype pictures on Donnelly's website.

If you're going to change your locomotive's horns, look for prototype pictures first to see what was used on the locomotive models you have. In my humble opinion www.railpictures.net is the "Super Source" for photos of prototype diesel locomotives. [:D][8D][;)]

Both of my Athearn SCL U-Boats that I'm upgrading will have the Leslie S5Ts as this was the basic style that the prototypes had in the early 70s.

If your LHS doesn't carry these, then look at his Counter Top copy of the 2005 Walther's Catalog. You can check out the horns on page 964 and 960. Order the ones you want.

Take care, hope this helps [:)][:D][8D][;)]

[Anonymous]

hey thank you all the people who replied to my thread. i really appreciate that.

[AntonioFP45]

BNSF,

Quick correction. On the post above I suggested that you look for prototype pictures on railfan. net. Actually it's www.railpictures.net which is what I frequently use.

I already made the correction to the above post but wanted to make sure I didn't lead you astray!

Rdganthacite. You are also correct.

As I mentioned sometimes other factors will created subtle differences between certain locomotive groups with similar power plants. I used to watch SCL GP7s work here in Tampa along with SW9s. Though they both used the EMD 567, the Switcher's sound at idle was much louder than the GP7s.

Modifications, improvements by the manufacturer, insulation, etc. Plus, wear and tear also plays a factor. I read about the improvements between the E7 and the E9. The E9 had its generators and other major components relocated. It was also quieter than the E7 and previous E units, so the exhaust sound character was changed slightly. But still the "basic" 567 diesel sound was the same, even though the E7 was louder in comparison.

Take Care!

[rrinker]

A lot of that difference depends on if the loco in question had a turbo or not. The exhaust going through the turbo wil be somewhat muffled versus those that do not have the turbo.


--Randy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

A lot of that difference depends on if the loco in question had a turbo or not. The exhaust going through the turbo wil be somewhat muffled versus those that do not have the turbo.


--Randy

hey would a BNSF (BNSF 6306 and 6307 have been repainted with the BNSF and the number on the side of the cab) SD40 and a BNSF GP50 [BNSF 3163] have turbos? the SD40s were built in late 1981 and the GP50 was built in early 1981.

[Anonymous]

on models (HO athearn GP50) they have the horn placed on the top of the cab but i was looking at some pics of a GP50 (BNSF 3151 http://archive.trainpix.com/bnsf/EMDORIG/GP50/3151.HTM ) and the horn (three chimer) was between the fans. also do class one railroads (i.e. BNSF, UP, CSX, [the big ones]) prefer three chimers? i model BNSF and most of there horns are three chimers.

[Anonymous]

what are the horns used by today's railroads?

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

A lot of that difference depends on if the loco in question had a turbo or not. The exhaust going through the turbo wil be somewhat muffled versus those that do not have the turbo.


--Randy

hey would a BNSF (BNSF 6306 and 6307 have been repainted with the BNSF and the number on the side of the cab) SD40 and a BNSF GP50 [BNSF 3163] have turbos? the SD40s were built in late 1981 and the GP50 was built in early 1981.

Both of those would. Both are 645-series engines.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

hey does anbody have a locomotive list (i.e. GP7,GP50, SD40) with the type of engine series (i.e.645, 710 series engine)?

[Anonymous]

As far as engine sounds go, if you spend enough time with a particular 567 or 645 you get where you can recognise the individual engine. I'm a tug captain and I can tell the difference between the port and starboard engines just by each one of their sounds. There are a lot of things that will change the sound slighty on any installation. No two sound exactly the same. Slight differences in the exhaust, different amount of wear(tired ones will have a rattle to them), what accessories they have on them, how much carbon is in the exhaust and airboxes. Since my ears are tuned to EMD's from sitting on top of two of them for weeks at a time, 24/7, I can tell(if I'm close enough) if it is one I've heard before.

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hey guys,

I'm uncertain as I don't have the facts in front of me, but "I think" beginning with the GP50 and SD50 series, EMD switched over to the 710 series Bentnose Willie answered this question a long while back. I haven't seen him post in a while.

To confirm or get better info, post the question over on the TRAINS Forum. Some of the guys over there are good sources of locomotive specs information.

According to this history, the GP50 and SD50 were 16-645's. The last of the 645's, as the GP60 was the debut of the 710 series.
http://sdrm.org/roster/diesel/emd/history/

--Randy

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks RRinker!

[AntonioFP45]

Update:

Interesting twist to an issue brought up on the Soundtraxx Yahoo Forum regarding 1st and 2nd generation EMD locomotive sounds.

A point was made that the EMD GP38 / SD38 series is non-turbocharged. A modeler asked if it would be more accurate to install a Soundtraxx decoder with the 567 diesel sound instead of the 645 series sound since 567 series diesels were "generally" non-turbo.

On the flip side of this, the EMD GP20, which was equipped with a 567 diesel, was turbocharged!

This is one of those "Paradox" situations or the exception rather than the rule. Debate was going back and forth!

Regarding the EMD 38 series:

I maintained that even though they were non turbo, the GP38s, to me, still do not sound like 567 equipped locomotives like the old GP7s and GP9s I used to see running around back in the late 70s-early 80s. . I've been around the prototype EMDs countless times. The exhaust on GP38s is less pronounced than a 567 and has a slightly higher pitch. The old 567s had more of a "baritone" sound to them and were louder and "throatier" than a 645 equipped unit. So in an HO GP38, I would still install a decoder that has the 645 series sound, even though the turbocharger sound is included.

If I were modeling an EMD GP20, I would stick with the 567 sound decoder for it even though one is not available with the turbo sound. (By the way, weren't the New York Central GP20s non turbo?)

Anyway, just my 2 cents guys. Hopefully within the next year or two we will see an explosion of sound decoders on the market with a much greater variety of sound (and lower prices!). [8D][;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

what are the horns used by today's railroads?

Most railroads today use Nathan K5s (K5LA, K5HA, K5H), Nathan P3s, and Leslie ST3s or 5s.