Skip to main content

6 replies

Pennsy Steam Whistles

Gene HGene HOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Hi Everyone,

Maybe someone can answer this question on the Pennsy steam whistles. I have several MTH Premiere steamers , Mike, Dec, etc and they all have the so called hooter whistle. Is that correct for Pennsy? My only memore of Pennsy steam was when I was 4 or 5 around 1957-58 when my dad would take me for a ride and I do remember seeing a long line of steamers most likely in the scrap line. It was probably around the Essington area but I can't say for sure.

I was just wondering about it.

Thanks Gene

Last edited by Gene H
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Gene H:

Hi Everyone,

Maybe someone can answer this question on the Pennsy steam whistles. I have several MTH Premiere steamers , Mic, Dec, etc and they all have the so called hooter whistle. Is that correct for Pennsy?

 

I guess it depends on what you consider a "hooter whistle". The PRR did have two basic steam whistle types. The more famous would be the "passenger" whistle as used on the K4s class 4-6-2 locomotives, then there was the high pitched "peanut whistle" as used on the freight locomotives (2-8-0, 2-8-2, and 2-10-0 classes).

 

My only memore of Pennsy steam was when I was 4 or 5 around 1957-58 when my dad would take me for a ride and I do remember seeing a long line of steamers most likely in the scrap line. It was probably around the Essington area but I can't say for sure.

I was just wondering about it.

Thanks Gene

 

HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Gene H:

I know the Reading T1 had the high pitched also and it just don't seem right seeing a monster like that with a high pitch whistle.

The size of the steam locomotive doesn't really have anything to do with the sound of the whistle. However, the type of service that the locomotives are assigned to, had a great influence/impact on the sound of the whistle. For example, railroads with heavy coal mining traffic in the mountains, like PRR, N&W, B&O, C&O, WM, and Reading, all tended to have higher pitched "Hooter", "Peanut", or "Banshee" sounding whistles, because that much higher pitch carried much further in the mountainous areas and could thus be heard by the train crews on the rear end.  

Add Reply

Views: 429
Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×

Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership

OGR Forum Supporting Membership

Help support this forum with an OGR Forum Supporting Membership.
You will be able to watch the videos in the INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO FORUM!
A one-year OGR Forum Supporting Membership is only $12 per year, so sign up now!


    OR     


Access the ALL the OGR VIDEO FORUMS AND  over 300 back issues of OGR
with a DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION!



$12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable)
×