AirChime J3 Snowplow Whistle and K5H Train Horns

In the year 1954, the J3 Snowplow Whistle train horn was produced as an air horn for the Canadian snowplows. As with other train horns in Canada, the J3 had a D# minor chord (Dm) which was mandated by the government. As a predecessor train horns of the K-series horns, the J3's external design was very much the same and similar. The mechanical design was lot different because one was the J3 had one-piece diaphragms compared to K-horns that had two pieces. These diaphragms were connected to a rubber gasket. The manifold resembled the triangular arrangement which was seen on earlier K3's.

The J3 though, only lasted for a very short time. With it has come to its development and was immediately replaced by K-series horns. But the low-maintenance feature and its "non-tunable" characteristic has truly cut it apart from the rest of the train horns.

Airchime K5H Train Horns

Another alternative train horn that can be apart from the costly and expensive M-series was the Airchime K5H train horn. Produced in the year 1954, the K5H airchime were exclusively manufactured in the Canadian market until the mid-1970. The K5H and K5L train horn models were first used by BC Rail in Canada. They were rarely and uncommonly found on American railroads until the year mid-1980.

American railroads such as Southern Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Chicago and North Western or New York Susquehanna and Western were the first ones to use the K5's train horns on GE locomotives. Most SP and CNW GE trains have generally been replaced with K5H horns. Some of the K5L's were also found on Amtrak locomotives.

K5 specs used the "H" configuration which uses a high-profile manifold; hence, K5HR24 has its own designation and distinction. This manifold has the three horn bells placed over two, which makes the horn seem heavier on the top compared to the two-over-three configuration that was used for M5's and P5's. The K5H bells also had low-profile manifold that soon gave the "L" designation for the K5LA.

Both of the K5 models were the same in sound and were same in terms of their mechanical features. The modification of these features for the K5LA was exclusively designed and made for Amtrak trains.

Since the Canadian ruling government has mandated that all horns must be programmed to be in the D# minor key, the K5's were no exception. The K5 had an original tune of D# minor (D#m6) and later designs had a half major or a half minor variation. K5's had more of a pleasant tone than that of brassy P-series which made this train horn more distinct in sound and therefore can be identified.

Although the train horn K5's are seldom seen on American tracks at present, they are still very much a staple and in tuned within the areas of Canada and are still available from Airchime.

Airchimes and train horns have been know for their classic features that can make them special because they make a nice collectible because they are known to be staying for years.