What type of horn switch is in the picture below AND WHAT COMPANY MAKES IT!
Thank you [#welcome]
I would just like someone to tell me where the horn switch is…
If you click on picture and enlarge it its the lever next to radio, it has a tag above the lever that says “horn”
ps I don’t know who makes the switch but it looks like older type EMD sander lever.
that engin isnt propory secured… the generator field switch isnt open… please come to the RFE office for your “verbal reprogaming”
csx engineer
It would appear that someone has “Aggie engineered” a sander lever in place of the horn handle.
Add in the fact that the automatic brake handle is pinned in place, ad in the older style AAR control stand, this is a home made “B” unit, so all it needs is a working horn for hostler moves…
To answer the original question, this is not a horn switch, it is a sander switch…most likely made by a sub contractor for EMD.
A couple of other interesting items in the picture…
first, the admonition to save fuel, with the reminder of how much fuel is used just in idle…and a reminder to center the reverse lever when not in use…one would assume that when in either Forward or Reverse, even at idle, the motor is turning the generator, thus using more fuel…
Which led me to the second interesting item, the reversing lever…or lack thereof. It kinda looks like you would perhaps move the throttle to idle, remove the handle, and use it to actuate the reverse lever. Or (tounge firmly in cheek) do they use the reversing lever as sort of a Key…issuing it to the engineer when they assign the engine??[:D]
That is what almost all NS widecabs (as well as some other engines) have for a horn handle. The loco in the photo looks like a rebuilt GP38-2, so it is not a B-unit.
I was in the cab of a CSX SD 70ACe recently, and that’s exactly what the “horn switch” looked like in it.
(my avatar)
the brake handles might be pinned…but they arent setup for trailing posstion to make it a “B” unit… looking at the automatic it is at full service…not handle off…and is cut it…also the independant is fully applyed… not cut out an in release… as far as the pinned… that is just to keep someone from taking them off the controll stand…
csx engineer
So i guess no one knows what company makes it!
this is the question that is on my mind…why do you want to know? you have an airhorn you want a control valve for or something?.. but if it realy means that much to you… go contact EMD… and ask them who the maker is… im sure for the right price they will tell you…
csx engineer
Iv’e always wanted one of those switches because it is the horn switch they use on the C40-9W.
I believe it is manufactured by Square D
And the reverser handle is missing because that’s pretty much SOP for securing a locomotive.
The handle is pinned, so as no one can remove it, I know some locomotives have brass automatic air brake handles, some rebuilt units have plastic ones. Railroads at one time issued automatic air handles to engineers, and when putting engine in handle off position you would take the handle with you, but because they were brass, a lot of them walked off, and hence the change, also with the handle on you could put the train in emergency from a trailing unit if need be.
I did some checking with the roundhouse here, and they said that you can find similar if not the same horn handle in grainger catalogs, or from square D.
The reverser is always removed when not in use!
alrighty then…just sounded a bit odd to me for someone wanting a horn valve with no horn to use it with… figred if you are wanting “equpment” from a controll stand… alot cooler things to try and get your hands on…like the air gauges or brake handles… or an old control stand itself…
csx engineer
Maybe he’s building his very own locomotive - then he needs to start somewhere!
true true… but with as cheep as used locomotives are now adays… for 40k you can get a “lighty used” ex amtrak engin…
csx engineer
but would it have the same horn button/switch?[swg]
not sure what you are trying to say. throttle to idle remove what handle ? the reverser is removed because that is standard procedure, when getting off the engine remove handle . nothing more orless and as far as idling and center reverser save fuel the idle goes down about 100 rpm when you center the reverser makes it real quiet and saves fuel also. this is a standard cab on ns engines, the use of aar controll stands have come back this is all the ns has built is these type contoll stand engines, which is a good thing as i hate desk tops.