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?
I am guessing you’re hearing the air compressors “popping off”.
Yup, the sound of air compressors on GE locomotives kicking in. More of a ‘whoooiiiph’ sound.
What, you mean this? (towards the end)
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.
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.
[swg] aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww ![swg]
zug! [|(]
YOU’RE KIDDING AREN’T YOU? [%-)]
Yeah, I am. The mine is actually in West Virginia…
…but you didn’t hear it from me! [;)]
That is EPIC. xD
From your avatar, I get the feeling that I may know you from elsewhere… xD
that is air
I swap avatars on here pretty frequently… but I’m curious - from where?
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!
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 . . . [swg]
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 . . . [:-,]
- Paul North.