Thursday Proto Photo, Feb 2/17

[BCR751]

Here's a rebuilt F59PH just about ready to return to Montreal:

Even though I might risk appearing ignorant, why two sets of horns??  I've seen this setup on the VIA Rail locos as well but never on freight locos.

Doug

[C855B]

Consideration for frequent running mostly in dense residential communities, where you don't need a weapons-grade horn.   Also, passenger lines tend to have automated crossing protection at every grade crossing, versus out in the hinterlands with crossbucks-only crossings.

[trainforfun]

Concerning the extra horns on all AMT locomotives  .
They are parked for the  night near populated areas and the engineers are suppose to make a horn test before the first run in the morning .
Since the people were mad at them for this at 5 in the morning they had the permission not to do the test if they could add another completely independant horn system.

[trainforfun]

Here's a rebuilt F59PH just about ready to return to Montreal:





I wasn't around when the airhorns were tested, but they were probably audible in the next county...

Anybody knows why there is 7 rails in the second picture !?!?!

[mu26aeh]

Anybody knows why there is 7 rails in the second picture !?!?!

My guess is they work on equipment with different gauges

[BCR751]

Concerning the extra horns on all AMT locomotives  .
They are parked for the  night near populated areas and the engineers are suppose to make a horn test before the first run in the morning .
Since the people were mad at them for this at 5 in the morning they had the permission not to do the test if they could add another completely independant horn system.

No offence intended here and with all due respect, that makes no sense to me.  I could see that on units operating exclusively in dense urban areas but that's not the case.  There has to be a better explanation.

Consideration for frequent running mostly in dense residential communities, where you don't need a weapons-grade horn.   Also, passenger lines tend to have automated crossing protection at every grade crossing, versus out in the hinterlands with crossbucks-only crossings.

So, are you saying that these two sets of horns are "quieter" than a single set mounted on freight locos?  If this is so, the loudness must governed by air pressure because they look the same as the freight version to me.  And, why two sets?

I'm going to go down to our local VIA Rail depot when the next train comes in and see if the engineer(s) have an explanation.  I'll report back.

Doug

[C855B]

One loud, one quiet, on a regulator as you surmised. As to two sets versus valves switching in/out the regulator... probably reliability. Valve failure or otherwise stuck could disable it entirely.

[R L Smith]

My guess is they work on equipment with different gauges

Adam has it correct.  Brookville makes mining equipment too, as well as various gauges of streetcars.

Ron

[Philip H]

Ghosts roaming the rails:

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[cjm413]

A couple of additions to my possible graffiti projects...

20170129_095923 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

20170129_095917 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

That CN car is interesting - it's an Evans 5277 that was rebuilt with a plug door.

[CNR5529]

No offence intended here and with all due respect, that makes no sense to me.  I could see that on units operating exclusively in dense urban areas but that's not the case.  There has to be a better explanation.

Both explanations are partially correct. Transport Canada mandates that passenger locomotives be equipped with either a single horn array capable of hi and low levels of sound or a pair of horns, one for low and one for hi levels of sound. VIA rail's rebuilt F40PH-3s for example have two horns, one hi and one low.

In AMT's case there were multiple noise complaints near one of the servicing facilities where horn testing every night was preventing people from sleeping. AMT was allowed to drop the horn test as part of their pre-departure inspections if they installed a second redundant horn set up. Their twin horns are both capable of blasting a hi and low sound, but they no longer need to test them in that yard at night. Just imagine if they had preferred separate horns for hi and low, there would have been a 4 horn setup!

[BCR751]

Both explanations are partially correct. Transport Canada mandates that passenger locomotives be equipped with either a single horn array capable of hi and low levels of sound or a pair of horns, one for low and one for hi levels of sound. VIA rail's rebuilt F40PH-3s for example have two horns, one hi and one low.

In AMT's case there were multiple noise complaints near one of the servicing facilities where horn testing every night was preventing people from sleeping. AMT was allowed to drop the horn test as part of their pre-departure inspections if they installed a second redundant horn set up. Their twin horns are both capable of blasting a hi and low sound, but they no longer need to test them in that yard at night. Just imagine if they had preferred separate horns for hi and low, there would have been a 4 horn setup!

Thank you for that explanation.  Now I know.

Doug

[R L Smith]

From CNR5529: "Both explanations are partially correct. Transport Canada mandates that passenger locomotives be equipped with either a single horn array capable of hi and low levels of sound or a pair of horns, one for low and one for hi levels of sound. VIA rail's rebuilt F40PH-3s for example have two horns, one hi and one low.

In AMT's case there were multiple noise complaints near one of the servicing facilities where horn testing every night was preventing people from sleeping. AMT was allowed to drop the horn test as part of their pre-departure inspections if they installed a second redundant horn set up. Their twin horns are both capable of blasting a hi and low sound, but they no longer need to test them in that yard at night. Just imagine if they had preferred separate horns for hi and low, there would have been a 4 horn setup!"

Thank you for that explanation.  Now I know.

Doug

Same here - that was very helpful.

Ron

[Lenny53]

From CNR5529: "Both explanations are partially correct. Transport Canada mandates that passenger locomotives be equipped with either a single horn array capable of hi and low levels of sound or a pair of horns, one for low and one for hi levels of sound. VIA rail's rebuilt F40PH-3s for example have two horns, one hi and one low.

VIA's P42s have had second horn added as well.

[eric220]

Anybody knows why there is 7 rails in the second picture !?!?!

I was thinking the same thing. Clearly the outer two are for running, and the center is for power, but the other four?