Five Chime Consultants Airhorn Guide (original) (raw)

The purpose of this page is to provide information on North American diesel locomotive air horns. We have attempted to provide detailed and accurate information regarding the many different types of diesel locomotive air horns that have been used in North America.

Five Chime Consultants was formed in 1990 to try to preserve the quality sounds of the horns used by North American Railroads from the 1950's to the 1980's. Our initial efforts involved the purchase, restoration, and application of these older horns. In the early 1990's we leased vintage horns to Trancisco Tours for use on their short lived San Jose to Reno 49er excursion train, to the Oakland Terminal Railway and Alameda Belt Line for use on their GP-7's, and to the California State Railroad Museum for use on their E-9 #6051. Presently our Nathan P-5 is still on the 6051. We also have a Nathan P-3, M-3, and M-5 and a Wabco E-2 on locomotives operated by The Pacific Locomotive Association on the Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol, California.

Today, due to a lack of interest by western short line operators regarding use of vintage horns, and as a result of a great increase in horn theft, our primary purpose is to provide information.