The distinctive loud, long tone of a locomotive’s warning signal is among the most easily recognizable sounds around. Play a tape with a bunch of two-second sound snippets and most people will be able to easily identify which is the whistle of a locomotive. For many people it is also a trigger for fond memories, especially if they grew up near a station or the railroad tracks. Imagine that same strikingly loud sound coming from your pickup or SUV and there isn’t a rail road in sight. All you need to do to make that dream a reality is take a look at the many train horns for trucks that are available as an aftermarket accessory.
The loud wail of an approaching locomotive was developed to alert pedestrians and motorists that they needed to stay off the tracks so the train could pass without hitting anyone or anything. It was also used as a communication tool between the engineer and railway and station workers. The first whistles were powered by the steam engine’s exhaust. However, as diesel engines began to replace steam the high-powered air horn became the device of choice.
Train horns for trucks are the same as those used on locomotives, except they have been scaled down in size. The 25-gallon air tank commonly used on the railway is just too big, and frankly overkill, for use on passenger vehicles. Those devices typically have tanks that range in size from one to five gallons. The other components include an air compressor that’s suitably powered to fill the tank, air hoses, valves, trumpet-shaped horns, and all the hardware required to put it all together.
Enthusiasts have adopted train horns for trucks as an accessory that makes their vehicles stand way out in the crowd. Between the super loud sound and the awesome looking trumpets, it’s a safe bet that they’ll be able to accomplish their goal, too.
Marc enjoys using truck train horns on his car and selling train horns over the internet through his website.