I recently needed some replacement horns for my RK PW type F-3 which none were available from MTH. Someone here on the forum was nice enough to pick me up some Lionel horns from York (thanks Marty). The horns have a black base instead of the RK silver ones. I have examined the MTH original horns and I cannot tell if they are painted silver or are polished metal. I am hoping that one of you seasoned railroaders can shed some light on this for me.
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I've never seen the horns on any actual diesel locomotive in a bright, plated appearance. They are all painted, typically black, or the surrounding body color.
Are there any "chrome" or "brass" diesel horns on the planet? I'm sure that there are. Somewhere. But, those "jewelry" horns really mess up the appearance of a scale model locomotive. Flat black, there's the ticket.
Don't get me started on the gold steamer whistles and pop valves. Ugh.
There are thousands of photographs of the real things on the InterWebs.
The MTH F-3 PW type locomotives came with all silver horns even the base but I cannot tell if the were cast with a dull finish or painted.
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