Steam Locomotive Whistle Cords/setup

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 321

I have noticed that different locomotives have different whistle set ups. Some have chords directly to the whistle itself, others have a handle (like nkp 765), and others like 4501 and 630 have just a rod that stick down from the cab roof (like in the picture). What is the difference between them?

Zak Lybrand · **Joined:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:57 am **Posts:** 210

It seems to me that it's just different means to the same end, and the style was up to the company ordering the locomotive.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:33 pm

The grammarian/linguist/editor chimes in:

The ropes to steam whistle valve lever handles are CORDS; the musical assembly of three, four, five, or more different notes/tones that a multi-chime steam whistle plays, harmoniously or not, is a CHORD.

I echo the previous answer; the major difference is simply preference of the owner/operator, be it the railroad or even an engineer customizing "his" assigned loco. In addition to cords/ropes and rod linkage, a scant few larger locos towards the end had air- or steam-actuated valve controls. Contrary to what some folks may think, a properly-adjusted whistle takes little actual strength/effort to blow/pull; the determining factor is a combination of pressure, spring strength, and valve lever length.

EDM · **Posted:** Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:31 am

Just a quick note here- wire rope was often used, but some roads, (NKP comes to mind) used non-metallic rope in electrified territories. A metal bell or whistle rope, if broken, could spring up and make contact with the overhead, setting off some fireworks and possibly causing injury to the crew. And you have to be very careful on a steam locomotive using a rake or hoe while under wire, as well.

thunda · **Joined:** Tue Jan 22, 2013 6:49 am **Posts:** 21

Personally I prefer a lever or cord operated whistle to some of the later air/steam operated setups for the main reason that it's a lot easier to 'bend' the notes on a lever/cord where as the air operated ones I've encountered are either on/off.

Best example I can give of this is this clip from the middle of Melbourne, Australia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LU4-us0z5M
It still sends shivers down my spine even now hearing these 2 again. I along with a group of friends had a private carriage (with bar) at the rear of this train and the echo's of the whistles off the buildings was phenomenal.....!

The loco's are R707 and R761, both Victoria Railways R class Hudson locos, with Nathan 5 chime whistles.

Compared with an air operated 5 chime on W22 at the Pichi Richi Railway.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ59YJkA0X8

Cheers, Al.