Random WES question

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

This question is mainly aimed at Portlanders who are familiar with Tri-Met’s WES operations.

I noticed that Tri Mets old/new RDCs have two horns, the speaker shaped one
( I believe they are called emulators?) on the front and a five chime horn on the dome toward the center. Does anyone know which form ,the five-chime or the emulator is used at crossings. When I see one I usually hear what I bleeive to be a five-chime but I can’t be sure.

Thanks,

Steven

2

furthermore, what is an emulator?

3

I assume the “emulator” that looks like a “speaker” is a speaker that plays a recording of a horn sound. It could just as easily emulate a steam whistle as an air horn or be driven via a microphone so the Engineer could just yell “Get outta me way!”