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Second hand train horns

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Cowley

Cowley

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A friend of mine has asked me if I know where he can purchase a set of two tone locomotive/train horns?
He's a retired electrician and likes to tinker around with things including model railways and classic cars.
Would anyone have any idea as to where he could try?
Thanks for any replies.
 
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satisnek

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I've seen them for sale on railwayana stalls at heritage railway gala weekends, etc., but bear in mind that they're air horns and require a source of compressed air to operate. It's not simply a case of connecting them up to a 12 volt supply - I would be tempted to get a pair for the boat if that was the case!
 
Cowley

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satisnek said:
I've seen them for sale on railwayana stalls at heritage railway gala weekends, etc., but bear in mind that they're air horns and require a source of compressed air to operate. It's not simply a case of connecting them up to a 12 volt supply - I would be tempted to get a pair for the boat if that was the case!
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Ah yes. I realise they need a compressor (I used to work on trucks years ago).
I've not seen them for sale at galas, although to be honest I haven't really been looking. I'll have a proper look at the Severn Valley diesel gala in a few weeks time though.

Edit - just noticed you're from Kidderminster :)
 
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theageofthetra

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Do not underestimate how loud they are. If you get them working indoors without ear protection you could well do yourself some damage!
 
Peter Mugridge

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theageofthetra said:
Do not underestimate how loud they are. If you get them working indoors without ear protection you could well do yourself some damage!
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...and probably shake all your ornaments and vases off the shelves.

Could be interesting if you're also one of the few people who still has single glazed windows - those horns generate some quite noticeable percussive effects at close quarters don't they...?
 
Cowley

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The above two posts duly noted. They are indeed incredibly loud.
 
Cowley

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I don't know how to link it but there's a YouTube clip of a set of Deltic horns fitted to a Rover 75 which made me chuckle.
He'd even made a little headboard up for the car :)
 
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theageofthetra

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Cowley said:
I don't know how to link it but there's a YouTube clip of a set of Deltic horns fitted to a Rover 75 which made me chuckle.
He'd even made a little headboard up for the car :)
Click to expand...

Going OT but does anyone remember when you could by airhorns with an attached gas canister down the market & stick them on your bike as a kid?
 
trc666

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theageofthetra said:
Going OT but does anyone remember when you could by airhorns with an attached gas canister down the market & stick them on your bike as a kid?
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You can still get them and I have one on my bike, they are charged up using a bike pump (it has a Schrader type valve same as on cars). Works wonders when cycling in the West End as people just stroll out in to the road without looking and a bell has little or no effect. Horn gets them out the way pretty quickly!
 
Skipness

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The Ashover Light Railway Society was at the Festiniog's Quirks and Curiosities gala with "Spondon", a battery electric locomotive (2' gauge) whose audible warning device was a class 37 horn sourced from EBay. (unfortunately only a single tone horn)
 
Cowley

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Skipness said:
The Ashover Light Railway Society was at the Festiniog's Quirks and Curiosities gala with "Spondon", a battery electric locomotive (2' gauge) whose audible warning device was a class 37 horn sourced from EBay. (unfortunately only a single tone horn)
Click to expand...

Ah thanks for that. 37s have got a good horn on them.
 
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billh

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satisnek said:
I've seen them for sale on railwayana stalls at heritage railway gala weekends, etc., but bear in mind that they're air horns and require a source of compressed air to operate. It's not simply a case of connecting them up to a 12 volt supply - I would be tempted to get a pair for the boat if that was the case!
Click to expand...
Our boat has 2 Westinghouse class76(EM1) horns, unfortunately they are the same note so not two-tone. Air supply is from an ancient fridge compressor driven by a 12v motor and a lorry air brake receiver. Actuation is via a door bell push and a solenoid valve. Operating pressure: 75 to 100psi. Its loud but not in the least bit Deltic or 37 sounding.
 
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