History of the Air Chime P Series

Robert Swanson created the P horns series as filler models. This series is the result from his work on the T horn series. The P horns series were supposed to be utilized as an economical and low-maintenance replacement for the M horn series which is until he accomplished his effort on the K train horns series. The K horn series was the concluding advancement for Swanson's horn construction.

Swanson started with customizing a truck horn so it can be appropriately utilized for railroads. Unveiled in the year 1953, it can be bought in one, three or five tone models. Swanson disliked the merchandise however therefore AirChime did not produced the P horn series. The P stands for 'pre-set pitch' though it was whispered that Swanson stated jokingly that the P is for 'piss-poor'.

Nathan licensed The P horn series design although AirChime never sold the horns, and it has been on the market since the year 1953. The P horns however have done their projected purpose flawlessly even if Swanson disliked the design. It is due to the idea that M horns require individual parts in replacing each bell made it less desirable for railroads. They also disliked adjusting the M train horns every after six or twelve months. These problems were none existent with The P horns allowing Nathan to directly compete with Leslie's SuperTyfon horn series.

The P horn series have interchangeable internal parts between bells. It is also pre-adjusted since the cap was bolted in place, and it does not need voicing. The P horns can be bought from Nathan today. An avid consumer of P5 horns for example is the Norfolk Southern.

Deane Ellsworth and Nathan worked together in 1976 to create a different model of the P horn. Deane was working for Amtrak at that time. The new model was recognized as P5A with the 'A' from 'Amtrak tuning'. The P5A blew a C# diminished (C#, E, G, A# and C#) while the original P5 train horn blew an A major 7th (C# E G A C#). Bell 4 was shortened enabling it to play an A# instead of an A. It was then marked as a 4A bell.

While P5A horns were still under development, Nathan sent Ellsworth a number 4 bell with a variable throat length. The right length was determined and the specifications were sent back to Nathan. The 4A bell was then cast. The variable 4 bell and the initial 4A bell have been safeguarded in Brant Lee's collection.

The P horn series was hit with a major change in 1977. Another two foundries were contracted by Nathan to cast their bells, specifically the P horns. Different castings were produced for the P series horns when it was done. The horns were different from the original AirChime specs unfortunately.

While the lengths of the later bells are the same, the bells have different pitches. This is due to the different throat lengths and flares of the new bells. Bells 1, 2 and 3 sound around a half - step higher and bell 5 is a half - step lower. The pitch of the other bells remained unchanged. The "new cast" P5s play D, F, G#, A and C which is not a noticeable musical tone.