Earl Wrote:
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> Jack Spencer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Powell on 482 sounds a bit more deeper and
> > menacing than the one that used to be on 489.
> > 489's was just a little higher. In my opinion,
> > that 3-chime belongs on 480. I think 480 had a
> > similar whistle about 10 years ago.
>
> Three chime whistles are very directional. The
> individual notes project straight out from the
> individual chimes. Depending on how the whistle
> chime is oriented on the engine makes a big
> difference in its apparent pitch. You also have
> the apparent pitch shifts cause by the Doppler
> effect when the engine is coming at you or going
> away.
>
> 489 had its shortest chime (and highest pitched
> note) facing forward. I have some recordings of
> 489 performing a runby on Tanglefoot curve where
> you hear the whistle from 3 different angles. It
> sounds like 3 different whistles. The Powell that
> 487 wore had the lowest note facing forward.
> Coming at you at a crossing, it had a deep,
> steamboat effect.

Good point Earl. I've noticed on slides and photos of SP
locomotives that many, if not most had the tallest chamber to the rear.