My Physics class is currently learning about sound and our teacher has assigned us a project where we are to investigate various aspects of sound, and being a model railroader Lionel’s Air Whistles came to mind. My initial idea for a project involves testing the Air Whistles of three different locomotives and their tenders (Postwar 2065, 736, 2020) and see if there is anything noticeably different in either the sound waves produced or if the amount of air in the tender (I.E.- the shape of the tender’s shell) affects the sound in any way. Before I begin, I wanted to run the idea by you guys to see if A) anyone has noticed something like what I’m testing, B) make sure I have a plausible project before I realize to late that I would need to find a new one and C) get some input/suggestions from you guys as to how I should go about this. Thanks in advance for any help offered.
Craig,
I couldn’t find any info. and I don’t know what kind of tender #2065 is, but Post War tenders had two kinds of whistles: WS-125 and WS-175.
WS-125 is mounted vertically and was made of a cast-metal alloy and depending on it’s condition, if good, a strong prototypical sound. This tender shell’s shape is of a Freight type.
WS-175 is mounted horizontally and was made of a synthetic composition, also of it’s condition, a good near prototypical sound, but not as strong, as WS-125. This tender shell’s shape is of a Streamline type.
As, for Tender #2065 when you carefully remove the shell, you’ll be able to see which of the other two whistles, this unit resembles.
There are all variables which will affect the sound, you’ll have to check for differences and make notes of such.
I hope this will help?
Good Luck,
Ralph
Craig I would add one more and that being a low end engine like a 8632 ( 6-18632) as it has an electronic whistle simulating the air whistle) also if you get one thats in top shape compair to one in fair condition you’ll probably get different sounds from the air whistle also weather you have a long tender or a short tender should give different sounds also. and if you would get a top of the line engine ( even if you got a local hobby shop run one for you so you could record or what have you) that would defiantly give another sound completely different
Craig,
The other tender for the #2065 engine might be, because Lionel liked to mix and match, a #6026W, this type of tender is known as a clearview, coffin and/or square type.
The top section, or bunker, which holds the coal load, is narrower on it’s sides and affords the cab’s crew to clearly see the rear of the train, as opposed to the other style of tenders.
I believe this tender’s whistle unit is WS-175 and is mounted horizontally.
Ralph
Craig, this should be an interesting project for your class and fun for you. SCIENCE: a great reason to buy more locos & tenders[:)]
To obtain a “control” environment, you might want to remove the tender shells and obtain an audio output of each whistle to compare to the audio with shell on. Also, try different voltage outputs to see what that gives you.
A couple of quick checks should let you know how viable your project is going to be.
Good luck,
Charlie
The material it is made of, plastic or metal, does not imply the type of whistle. For example, the 2426W tender came with a metal WS-125 whistle in 1946 and 1947 when pulled by the 726 Berkshire, but a plastic WS-125 when paired with the 773 Hudson in 1950. These two variations were also wired differently.
Thank You, Bob,
I know what you mean, I should have specified why I mentioned the different material of the sound chambers, as they do have an affect on the sound produced and will have a different sound from each other.
Graig,
As, to what Bob posted, look on the bottom of the tender’s frame, for the most part, you will see the number of that particular tender, stamped in either silver, or white.
Ralph