Are all train horns created equal?

[louisnash]

Trains Magazine about a year ago or so had in their ABC of railroading section in the magazine a question about horns, I can't remember exactly which month, but it could possibly be in their ABC section of this website. It had the different chimes of horns that certain locos had or which railroad. Hope this helps instead of learning about bugs

[csxengineer98]

horn loudness can be changed if the horn has collected crap in it... most rail roads put a fabric cover of the open end, but alot of times locomotives dont have it... its just like driveing down the road in your car and you hit a bunch of bugs... now you have bug cuts all over your windsheild, now think about the same thing on a loco air horn, the thing acks like a funnel... and if it isnt blown for a while, or isnt cleaned out proporly, it can be clogged up... or someone has the horn cut-out-**** only half way open....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

My gosh, I hope braking doesn't weaken the horn, or I'm bailing! But no, that's not a problem, as there is an auxilary reservoir for appliances such as horns, bells and wipers. If I'm abut to wack some guy at a road, I'm laying on the horn to protect myself; the event recorder will dutifully record my horn blast right before I creamed this guy. One less thing for his lawyer (or his estate's lawyer) to pick at. I don't know why different horns should be less loud than others, but some are. If they are nearly inaudible, the engine can always be refused for safety reasons. I have one complaint about the new horns. I used to be able to play or feather them on the older yard and road power. No more. We had some exC&O, exexPM NW2's that had a single trumpet that you could make sound like a love sick moose! Those days are gone. My favorite sounding horn is the Leslie 5 chime. Sweet. One of the loudest horns was some ex B&O SW-1's built in 41/43. Just a single trumpet, but dang those things were loud! skeets

[Anonymous]

Good Morning Everyone,
I was just curious and need the knowledge of those who actually run the engines. Why the difference in "loudness" of some engine horns? Also does brake pipe/res. pressure effect the loundness of the horn. I noticed a train yesterday that I honestly could barely hear the horn. They appeared the be braking at the time. Finally do you think sounding the horn in an "emergency" sequence is effective to those motorist who may not have seen you. Thank you for any info on this topic.