Oh yes I definetly know of Gabriel...it's like the voice of Roanoke... A very distinctive sound.....there is no question as to what you are hearing.
My favorite whistle so far is Lionel's latest MR S-3 Northern. Love both whistle sounds that are included and the horn sound. In fact, it was the whistle sounds and whistle options that really motivated me to buy this locomotive. Love the other options too though.
Favorite Whistle in an engine I own easily goes to the Railking Imperial Y6B.
Video found online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yi253QOWl4
Favorite Whistle Runner-up: Legacy GS4 Daylight
I'd like to see Lionel offer this whistle as well as the locomotive its in,with legacy!
A really good sounding whistle makes tops my list in my search for my next purchase:
I only have Lionel locomotives so I would rate them as follows:
Nothing like the Y6B - simply the best #1
2- Nickle Plate 765 - Legacy version
3 - S-3 Milwaulkee Northern - a horn and a extra whistle! 3 in 1 !
4 - M1b - same as the legacy T-1
5 - Vision Line Challenger
6 - Vision Line 2-10-10-2
7- The PRR CC-2 - great banshee whistle
8- M1a PRR
9- FEF 4-8-4 UP
10 GS-2 Southern Pacific
11 GS-64 Western Pacific
12 Legacy 4-4-2 Atlantic
13 Orginal 2002 J1a 2-10-4 - really nice the remake was a miss
14 Legacy K-4
15 B&O EM-1 TMCC version
15 Class A 2-6-6-4
16 T-1 PRR from 2000 and the N&W J 606 - cool steam boat type whistle
17 4-6-0 NYC legacy 10 wheeler
18 2-6-6-2 TMCC version '01 Nickel Plate Road
Even though I like all the new sounds but the best IMO is the 777 commodore Vanderbilt by Lionel. An early rail sounds unit but to my ears the best by far whistle of any locomotive.
BINGO!!!
David you hit it on the head... by far the best whistle ever made is in the Commodore!