152's "original" (as it was presented to KRM's with) does sound similar to the one in the video. The whistle's tone changed over the years, and it was retired because the walls of one of the chimes had become very thin.
When I was involved at KRM, before moving to St. Louis, 152 usually carried a whistle from a Southern Railway MS class 2-8-2, a sister of 4501. She would, though rarely, carry a 5 chime whistle from the L&N's streamlined 4-6-2 number 295. I say rarely as it wasn't liked by the crew as it was an "on and off" type of whistle and didn't have much room for really working it. I always liked it though, and once or twice, on my request, we used it, just to have something different.
Later on, through an estate, we were able to get another L&N 3 chime whistle in very good shape, though I cannot comment on how much it is used. I also cannot remember it it was smaller or larger than the "original" whistle.
Hearing the video reminded me of my younger years with 152. It's flat-bottomed tender, from an L&N 4-8-2 was designed for a stoker, which the 152 did not have. Consequently, after the first 3-4 tons of coal had been used, someone needed to go back in the tender and push the coal forward. I got pretty good at it, preferring to use a ballast rake, rather than a shovel. I also usually got very very dirty, much to my mother's horror when I arrived at home that evening. Riding up in the tender was like riding in a very dirty dome car, where goggles are required.
I have an open invite to come back and work with them one day, need to use it this year, maybe I can report after my visit.
David M. Wilkins
Coal-Pusher, Kentucky
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