Observations on Whistles - plus C&S pipsqueaks.....

I would have thought the frequency/pitch of a whistle was determined solely by the length of the bell, and the pressure solely determines the volume or loudness. Apparently not so, at least according to Wikipedia (which we know is always right )

However, it does say that the pressure also affects the pitch of the note, which can be lower if the whistle valve is only partially opened, and then raises when fully opened. The effect is known as quilling.

Wiki also says that frequency can depend on the medium and to paraphrase, saturated steam gives a higher note, dry steam a slightly lower note, and compressed air lower still. All because the sound travels at different speeds within each medium. Someone with more technical knowledge would need to verify that, cause what do I know......

And lastly, many of the old photos I've seen of C&S narrow gauge locomotives show whistles with very short bells. They must have been very shrill and piercing. I assume some of these original C&S whistles are still around, on preserved locos or preserved separately. Anyone heard them able to comment? I've seen both C&S 71 and 9 operating but IIR they weren't sporting their original whistles.

Cheers,
Ralph

“My heart is warm with the friends I make, And better friends I’ll not be knowing;
Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take, No matter where it’s going.”
- - - - - - - “Travel”, by Edna St. Vincent Millay



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2023 07:27PM by tgbcvr.