I have a model of an AC4400 is HO scale, and it’s missing the horns. I can “transplant” from an older loco of mine that never gets used, but I need to know how many horns the prototype AC4400 has. Could someone give me some info on this?
BTW: If the number of horns is a railroad specified option, my loco is Southern Pacific.
Thanks,
It is a RR specified option, so just follow SP practice of the era and you’ll be OK.
SP’s AC4400CW units all had Nathan P124 (P3) horns on them, as did most locomotives running on the SP then. I wish that were still the case today. With its A tuning, the P3 is a musical horn.
In fact, the only new non-P3 equipped locomotive on the SP in those days were the GE dash 8s - they had K5L horns.
So that has 3 chimes?
Correct.
OK. I beleive I have a loco I can steal those from. ! last question, are they mounted 2 facing forwards and 1 facing to the rear?
Thanks for all the help.
They are mounted ahead of the exhaust stack, behind the generator area ‘hump’, with the outer two bells facing forward. Here is a good picture to go by -
OK. Great!
Thanks so much!
If I may go slightly OT here…I really like the CP’s AC4400 horns. I’m sick and tired of the engines, but the sound of one of those well-tuned K3s echoing through a valley is pure bliss!
If you get a sound decoder, consider painting your unit red. [;)]
Yeah, I never have sound, as it’s too expensive for me, and if I got 1 unit with sound, that’s all I’d use! Imagine an AC4400 switching the yard![(-D]
Anyway, if it was red, it would look better in New Hampshire, as it could be a run-through unit, I have to figre out why an SP loco is in NH![swg]
You can also purchase them from your LHS. Details West and Details Associates make metal cast horns. Nathan series horns are shorter and stubbier in length and appearance than Leslies.
Check out this link: http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns/
Great photos and info regarding locomotive horns. Some very good samples are provided, including the Nathan P3. Makes one appreciate the variety.
Enjoy the music! [{(-_-)}][:D]
If I remember correctly, most of the ex-SP AC4400CW’s when repainted to UP livery switched to the K3LA horn, which has a higher pitch than the old Nathan P3 and has a very distinct sound.
Interestingly, EMD’s new SD70ACe’s now use the K5LA horn, which is quite loud and sounds like an old Nathan P5 horn but at a much higher pitch.
The P3 and K3LA have the same chordal structure, but the K3 is one full note higher in pitch, B vs. A on the P3. The SD70ACe uses a K5LLA which is a K5LA tuned a half step down, in B flat.
With a few exceptions, I don’t really care for the K3LA. I find it a little too abrupt (punchy) and not that musical. There are exceptions however, I’ve heard K3LAs that are very musical.
The UP policy seems to be to replace the P3 on all ex-SP units - most of the GP60s now have the K3LA on them. [:(!]
While the K3LA isn’t the most musical horn, the higher pitch and very distinct sound makes them easily audible even at long distances.
If you want to hear a really bad-sounding horn on a new unit, listen to the horns on the BNSF Dash 9-44CW’s (numbered 960-1169–the original Heritage I livery). That horn is definitely not musical and quite unpleasant to listen to. [tdn]
Actually the CSX yard near me uses an AC4400 for a yard switcher.
Wow, I suppose they could eat their lunch while it loads …
Silicon212,
Interesting that you mentioned the K5LLA. What a difference tuning just one note makes! YUCK! [:O] I heard one on a video featuring a UP unit. I hope that the melodic K5LA is not going to be replaced with these. Even the K3LA, imho, sounds sweeter.