Source for correct horn and bell sounds

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

So I finished my install of DCC and sound in an Athearn Blue Box EMD GP9 decorated for Santa Fe. Runs and sounds great right “out of the box” with little tweaking in JMRI. The EMD 567 prime mover sounds great and correct for this loco, but I really have no idea which horn and bell the prototype actually used. Are there any websites or other sources for this? I couldn’t find anything with a Google search.

2

GP9 (700 class)

  • All deliveries. Leslie Supertyfon S-2M/S-25 combination
  • It appears from photographic evidence the first units in the 2650 class were delivered with split Leslie A125, A200’s or twin A200’ s (one short hood front, one long hood rear). However; the horn type varied over the three year delivery period from 1950-1953. Many had the classic Nathan Airchime MS-1, while others, toward the production run end, were equipped with the S-2M/S-25 combination. The single S-25 was intended for reverse moves.

Source, Horns used by the Santa Fe

http://old.atsfrr.org/resources/BrownPaul/Horns/Horns.htm

RR Baron

3

I have found that this soundtraxx website page is very helpful for horn selection: http://www.soundtraxx.com/choose/choose5.php. I had the same problem and that solved it. However, it may not help you as they have a ton of them listed for santa fe. As for the bell, this is what Overmod suggested to me:

“There is at least one good site on the Web (it’s oriented toward 1:1 bell collectors) that goes into deep detail about the different kinds of EMD bell”

Haven’t found that website, but haven’t looked either. Hope all of this helps

4

Some good suggestions. I contacted the roads historical society to find the horn I needed for my loco.

Good luck,

Richard

5

That is probably the best bet, or find an article in a model magazine on detailing the loco you have - don’t overlook articles on how to scratchbuild a particular loco that came out before that fancy RTR model you now have appeared. Sometimes they will be detailed enough to go into what horn was used.

I have a book from the RCT&HS that has plan views of all Reading’s diesels from the first boxcabs to the last GP39-2’s, with information such as wheelebase, wheel size, horn, etc. listed for each one.

–Randy

6

And, also check out the individual decoder manufacturer’s web sites. Many have sound files you can pick from. You might have to download their sound app. to do it. They are usually a free download.

Mike.