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.
Quite a few different companies have manufactured train horns in the past, the most well known of these include:
Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Company - This company was making air horns for trains until World War II.
The American Strombos Company - Strombos' horn was based on a truck horn and was used on early locomotives.
Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) - This was the first company to make air horns designed specifically for use on trains, starting in 1910.
Other than the companies listed above, there were other companies making train horns. The companies who pulled ahead of the pack and are still in the business today both have their origins in the company once called AMCO.
The developer of the five and six chime train horn was Robert Swanson, who began building these air horns as a hobby while still working at Victoria Lumber Manufacturing. Along with George Challenger, Bill Piercy and Ernie Canon, Swanson started the Airchime Manufacturing Company (AMCO) in 1949. Swanson's H5 horn was the first multiple chime horn in use on trains. The horn caught on quickly both with railroads and with the public, who liked the new sound of Swanson's horns.
The horns were licensed to two different companies; Nathan of New York and Hyson of New England. It was this way that the Airchime company really grew. The name Nathan Airchime is seen on U.S. produced horns, including the model K, Swanson's last and finest horn. This horn is still the one most commonly used by rail companies in the U.S. These horns replaced the Prime and Leslie models of horn as they aged.
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.
Train horns have also found popularity with hobbyists, some of whom even install them on their vehicles! Naturally, these horns are too loud to use in traffic, but are great pieces for show and can be shown off at auto shows and the like.
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.
Quite a few different companies have manufactured train horns in the past, the most well known of these include:
Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Company - This company was making air horns for trains until World War II.
The American Strombos Company - Strombos' horn was based on a truck horn and was used on early locomotives.
Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) - This was the first company to make air horns designed specifically for use on trains, starting in 1910.
Other than the companies listed above, there were other companies making train horns. The companies who pulled ahead of the pack and are still in the business today both have their origins in the company once called AMCO.
The developer of the five and six chime train horn was Robert Swanson, who began building these air horns as a hobby while still working at Victoria Lumber Manufacturing. Along with George Challenger, Bill Piercy and Ernie Canon, Swanson started the Airchime Manufacturing Company (AMCO) in 1949. Swanson's H5 horn was the first multiple chime horn in use on trains. The horn caught on quickly both with railroads and with the public, who liked the new sound of Swanson's horns.
The horns were licensed to two different companies; Nathan of New York and Hyson of New England. It was this way that the Airchime company really grew. The name Nathan Airchime is seen on U.S. produced horns, including the model K, Swanson's last and finest horn. This horn is still the one most commonly used by rail companies in the U.S. These horns replaced the Prime and Leslie models of horn as they aged.
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.
Train horns have also found popularity with hobbyists, some of whom even install them on their vehicles! Naturally, these horns are too loud to use in traffic, but are great pieces for show and can be shown off at auto shows and the like.
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 wrote this story. He is primarily a car enthusiast but he shows his passion 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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