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submitted: Sep 22nd 2008 | by: YvesB.Geller | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 521 | |

Did you ever wonder where train horns came from when you hear that lonesome sound in the middle of the night? There have been songs written about them, from the mournful sounds they make to the locomotive version of boogie. Although they were preceded by train whistles, the horns caught on and remain the harbinger of the approaching giants made of steel.

Over the years there have been many manufacturers of train horns. The following are the main ones:

Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Company - This company was manufacturing air horns for trains up until World War II.

The American Strombos Company - Their horns were used on the locomotives of the early age. Their version was a modified truck horn.

Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) - This was the first company to make air horns designed specifically for use on trains, starting in 1910.

Besides these companies, there are many others who made train horns at one time. The leader in the industry do this day has its origins in the AMCO company.

Robert Swanson is credited with developing the first air horns, five and six-chime type, for trains. Working at Victoria Lumber Manufacturing in the 1920s, this began as a hobby. Partnering with George Challenger, Ernie Canon, and Bill Piercy the company known as AMCO (Airchime Manufacturing Company) was born in 1949. The first multiple chime air horn used on the trains was the H5 developed by Swanson. It was a big hit and the public let it be known that the horn was a very desirable sound.

Choosing two markets for the horn, Nathan of New York for the American licensee and Hyson of New England, the Airchime Company took off thus, the name Nathan Airchime which is seen on the US horns. Undoubtedly the best model horn, which was Swanson?s final creation, is the model K. Dubbed the best liked and used horn it is at present the chief horn used by American railroads. This is the horn that is used to replace Leslie and Prime horns as they become unusable.

The founder of the Leslie Corporation, John Leslie, which was formed in the 19th century, was a manufacturer of many steam parts, not only for trains but ships as well. In the 1930s, John Leslie started making air horns for the railroad. Buying the rights of the Tyfon series, from Sweden, the production of the Tyfon A-200 became one of the best sellers This was the horn used by most trains of every type until the Airchime became a hot item about 1950.

And of course, train horns have used beyond trains. Some people are even installing these horns on their own vehicles (or having them installed). Of course, there is the problem that these horns are far too loud to actually be used in traffic. These horns are for show or to be demonstrated at hobbyist's meetings.

So the next time that you hear a train passing in the night, take a minute and reflect on these horns and how they were created. You'll hear this truly unique sound and maybe, just maybe whisper a quick thank you to those who made this sound possible.

About the Author

Yves B. Geller penned this article. He is mainly a car hobbyist but he carries out his love for cars through vehicle customization. He offers train horns to car, truck and boat owners but he is a firm believer that an air horn should be used responsibly.

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