Re: Whistles? Im confused

Single note whistles are referred to as "plain" in the old catalogs, not single chime as sometimes mistakenly done.
Cast iron step top types are usually noted by their number of chambers, usually 5 or 6, but sometimes 3 or 4 and in the case of homemade ones in Mexico, even 7 chimes!
3 chimes and plains, whether flat top or round top are usually referred to in diameter, not length. The largest found on steam locomotives was commonly 6". 8, 10 & 12 inch diameter were for marine and industrial use.
In the old days, whistles were manufactured WIV, with internal valve or WOV, without valve. Valves were designated vertical (old style) or horizontal, the more modern type having a spring inside to help seat the valve when not in use.
Some locomotive whistle manufacturers were Lunkenheimer, Hancock, Lonergan, Star Brass, Powell, Nathan and Crosby. Some railroads had their own unique castings...ATSF & SP had step top 6 chimes and although chamber differences were very slight, tone was different too.
Certainly not all there is, but I hope that this helps some.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2008 11:22PM by Tom Moungovan.