Ok, I know what the horn is, but how is it made? How does it produce sound? Is their a huge microphone attatched to a computer chip, or is their air involved? How do pitches get determined if air is involved?
Simple answer: An air horn passes air through some disks, which resonate, which sound is routed out the bell. Size (of the horn and the internal components) and air pressure matter. Thre are no electronics involved (unless it’s one of those new fangled locomotives with the button instead of a handle or rope to open the air valve).
There are several good train horn sites - I don’t have them at ready reference, but Google should prove helpful.
Hello Glen,
Check out these websitest. Should be very helpful. There are some excellent sound samples that you can click on and hear the differences between horns. May load a bit slow if you’re on dial-up.
http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns/
My favorite horns are the classic Wabco "honker’ from years ago and the Nathan K5LA, which still seems to be the most commonly heard horn in the U.S.A
Enjoy[:D]
Thanks guys!