RE: 360-361 Alco

Part no. PA12A820 available from portlines.com, his number 2625. Your problem could also be the contacts within the vibrator tube on the control button. They need to be burnished and adjusted due to aging more often than not.

I agree with flyer rich, the problem is probably in the viabrator tube. You can carefully cut the cardboard tube around the base. Inside you will find the viagrator mechanism surrounded by foam The contact on the viabrator can become corroded and stick to one of the other contacts. Carefully separate the contact and clean the points, Test, and than put the tube cover back on and glue the bottom edge back onto the base

Thanks guys... I'll get to work !

IF you have a metal-clad tube, I've used a Dremel tool to open them up near the bottom and perform the same repair. You can put the tube back together with duct, electrical or gaffers tape at the cut you made.

I ended up replacing it with an AC Sounder sound board which fits right into the same space. Did this on a Rocket and a Santa Fe. It's cheap, gives you a choice of horns, bells, and diesel sounds. Also easy to install with two wire hookup. Also, If you want to put the engine back to original - there are no permanent changes.

John

Sorry about my ignorance... what and where is the vibrator tube and the control button ?

Thank you very much.

This is an example of the standard Air Chime Whistle Control without the slide lever that came with most whistle equipped steam locos and features the metal vibrator tube. This is the same thing called a diesel horn generator but with a cardboard tube that came with certain years of diesels.

Thanks a milllion. Now I know what I'm looking for ! By the way, if anyone has one of these handy, please contact me through my e-mail address.
Thanks again.