AirChime K Series Train Horns Designations

In 1954, Swanson initially launched the K series with two combinations, The K3H and the K5H. With the use of the #1, #2 and #3 bells, the K3H plays D#, F# and A# - D# minor which is in accordance with the regulations of Canada. The K3H horn was introduced on two diverse three-chime bases. The first mounts all the horns side by side in a horizontal line. The second mounts one of the horns in the center with one horn on both sides and are rotated to 90 degrees, like the old three-chime P base.

The K5H, with the use of bells 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, plays D# minor 6th (D#, F#, A#, C and D#) and is mounted on a manifold with a high-profile . It has three bells placed in a row at the top and two bells at the bottom which are rotated at an angle of 90 degrees.

Some additional bells are shown on early AirChime records. These were bells beyond 1-5, plus there was an alternate 5 bell tuning. Chord D was originally played by the bell 5 and not D#. The other units include 1L, 2L, and 3L bells. These played D#, G#, and C- respectively 155Hz, 208 Hz, and 261Hz. These bells give assistance to explaining the K3 and K5 (original) having the postfix 'H'. Horns released after 1976 were already different. The explanation for the H is not "high-profile manifold". Take note, only a single manifold style existed then! H instead means "high-pitch".

The straight K5 horn used the bells 1L, 1, 2, 3 and 4 (C, D#, F#, A# and C). The low tuning K5L used bells 2L, 1L, 1, 2 and 3 (G#, C, D#, F# and A# - G# major 7th) and the extra low tuning K5LL used the bells 3L, 2L, 1L, 1 and 2 (D#, G#, C, D# and F# - G# major 7th second inversion).

The K3 also used bells 1L, 1 and 2 (C, D# and F#). The low tuning K3L used bells 2L, 1L and 1 (G#, C and D# - G# major) and the extra low tuning K3LL used the bells 3L, 2L and 1L (D#, G# and C - G# major second inversion). All these substitute models, as well as the 5 bell tuned to D, were no longer existing approximately in the years 1955 to 1956.

AirChime introduced two new models in 1956, the MK3H and MK5H . These models utilizes screw-on back cap that is M-like . This enabled the railroads to fine-tune the horns accordingly. They utilized a 1 ½" socket to regulate the pressure on the diaphragm for this MK-style horn. These horns also show "Made in Canada" on the caps at the back.

MK series horns are exceptionally rare and just one of these is known to be stored by a private collector. The MK series was stopped a year later to favor a later adjustable back caps design. These use a 3/4" wrench to regulate the diaphragm tension on the K3H and K5H. The back caps would have a "Made in England" or "Made in Canada" cast on it for it was made both in Canada and England.

Both of the modifiable styles can be attached to any regular K bell due to the bolt-on ring used on these styles. The rings are threaded on the inside for the placement of the screw-on caps. In 1969, AirChime discontinued the sales of the adjustable caps

AirChime released the K5LA and the low-profile manifold in 1976, though the sales started only in 1977. This low-profile manifold is similar to the three-chime manifold basically. It just had a port for the two remaining bells on the manifold's edges, which are turned at an angle of 90 degrees from the initial three ports.

These made an additional of three more post fixes that is applicable to the K5 and K3 with these new product introductions. Firstly, the horns having the old manifoldwith high-profiles have an H postfix. The 'H' does not mean high tuning anymore. Hornsthat had the new low-profile manifold were given an L postfix. The 'L' also does not refer to low tuning any longer. Around this time, the three-chime low-profile bas was introduced too. Lastly, horns with the bored out bell 3 and bell 4 have the A postfix.

3A bells and 4A bells were created by boring outwards the inner side of the throat which is just enough to reduce the pitch one step for the bell 3 and half a step for the bell 4. The horn series with these types of bells are known to be American, that is why they have the postfix "A".

The K3LA plays D#, F# and B - B major triad using the bells 1, 2 and 4A. The K5LA was tuned to D#, F#, G#, B and D# - B major 6th using the bells 1, 2, 3A, 4A and 5. It is attainable to make a K3L, K3HA, K5L and K5H configuration though the common configurations are K3H, K3LA, K5H and K5LA.

After the termination of the 1L, 2L and 3L bells, a new 1L bell, 3L bell and a 5H bell were unveiled. The 1L bell blows a B below middle C tone which is 247Hz. On the other hand, the 3L bell blows 'A' above middle 'C' which is 440 Hz. The bell 5H was supposed to blow a high E which is 660 Hz. The bell 5H was only applied in Africa while the 1L bell and 3L bell were used somewhere else. The 1L bells are of two-piece type construction and are all cast in sand, and the only K series bell known to be of two-piece type construction.

The bell is in one piece cast , and the housing of the diaphragm and foot were cast as another piece. Hyson-AirChime cast the first 1L bells and was sold by Smith, Sydney and Dennis which is currently out of commercial activity. These bells are welded together. The more recent 1L bells are bolted together and have a rubber seal between them.

Horns that have either 1L bell or 3L bell have at least an extra 'H' or 'L' on the far side of the manifold assignment. Some of the combinations are K5LLLA (1L, 1, 2, 3L, 4A), K5LAM (1, 2, 3L, 4A, 5) and K5LLA which is used on the LIRR (1L, 1, 2, 3A, 4A). The M designation is not official but was only added to indicate a "modified" configuration like the 3L bell in this situation. The horns were not sold in the market.