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.
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