I was looking up the FM Trainmasters and was curious what horns did these engines use? I do know the Southern Pacific FM's used M5 horns.
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I would think that it would depend on the individual railroad, AND the era. Many railroads changed horn types well after units were delivered.
Well, I know that the Lackawanna's had those awful one-note foghorns like the Pennsy GG1's. Even some steam locos had them! Back in the 50's most northeastern roads used them, B&O was an exception. This was the main reason I HATED diesels.
Sounds like a loose diaphragm in that tooter! Can I get a big PAHHAAAAMMPP !!!!!!
I will say that there are worse:
1. The original Pennsy Doodlebugs (sounded like Like a Leslie gargling), and
2. The current NJ Transit River Line light rail diesel sets.
Generally all diesels made before about 1960 seem to have come with single-chime "BLAT" airhorns. However by the later 1950's railroads were starting to switch to multi-chime horns, so there may have been a few delivered with other horns in that time.
I grew up along the MN&S whose diesels used Hancock air whistles. When the SOO took it over, those loud BLAT horns were hard to get used to.