Re: SP narrow gauge 18 update.

If I am wrong with this, I'd appreciate corrections:

Mostly, the SP built their own whistles. They had 5-chimes that were rather short, fairly high pitched with a "squawky" kind of tone. They were the standard whistle on everything for years. This is what is known as a "Desert Chime". Later on the came up with a 6-chime, that became standard on everything. The some smaller engines kept their 5-chimes, while the larger engines sported 6-chimes. I have heard of a longer bell 5-chime that was created for the MT-class 4-8-2's that Sacramento Shops built, but have never seen one.

The GS-class 4-8-4's had big 3-chime whistles that I think came from Nathan. Although the recordings I have heard of GS-6 4460 reveal a 6-chime on her.

In the never-say-never dept. SP might have bought some Star Brass short bell 5-chimes at some point too. Star Brass cast their name into the top of the bell casting. SP just had the pattern number cast into the ones they made.

UP was big on Star Brass 5-chimes. They were the standard whistle. The only engines that got the big Hancock 3-chimes were the 800's, Challengers and Big Boys.