Help! Sitting here, looking at box of newly-arrived detail parts. Did frisco EVER use nathan M-5 horns like the DW AH-187 (3 Fwd-2 Rvs) or DA-1602 (build 'em your way) on any GP-7, F-3A, F-7A, FP-7A or FA-1? Glenn in Tulsa
Glenn - Yes, the Frisco used Nathan's now and then. The "Enid" negative collection pic I posted of GP7 SLSF 501 shows it carrying a Nathan, likely a M5, with three horns forward/two backward. You see Nathan's now and then on random Frisco pics. But, it seems, they far preferred the Leslie. From the examples I have heard, the Leslie had a more mellow tone. Ken update: SLSF 500, GP7, also carried a Nathan M5.
If I am at a crossing and there is a 400 thousand pound locomotive barreling down the track, I had just as soon that it was not "mellow".
Uh, Sherrel, you will have no problem whatsoever hearing either the Nathan or the Leslie horn! But, just before the locomotive hits you at the crossing, you will agree that the Leslie sounds better. Try the various railroad diesel locomotive horn web sites and hear them for yourself - there are many horns posted. I have downloaded target .wav files for each of these two, but they will not attach to frisco.org and still work. Ken
Here are some of my 5 chime favorites: 3 chime horns can be found here: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?p=23594#post23594
X-2200 South once did an issue or two about the air horns. The 5-chime Leslie had a great musical chord, the A7 inverted around the 3rd. Try this on your piano, close your eyes, and imagine those old F-7's blowing for the crossing at Dixon after clearing the top of the hill: C#, E, G, A, C#. Couldn't be more musical when all five were in tune. Frisco didn't spare expense when it came to air horns.
At least the horns on the Frisco engines were located at the front of the locomotive where you could hear them. The new locomotives with the horn mounted midway back behind the air intake section and cab really aren't as loud as they should be. I'm sure the crew in the cab or on the front walkway appreciate the new location. |-|
