Nathan P5 Train Horns

The Nathan P5 train horn was designed as a cheap alternative to the M5. This is due to the fact that it has low maintenance. Also known as P12345, the P5 is very popular on South Railway, Rock Island and Illinois Central railroads.

The P5 arrangement really shows distinct features because the #2 and #4 bells are reversed from the usual. As to configure, the horns will be designated as P135R24 like so. The bells are arranged as to form a pyramid-like pattern: the #1 bell is at lower right with the #2 bell at lower left and #3 at center having the #4 bell at upper right and the #5 at upper left. Its manifold uses the traditional manifold. When P5 was returned to create the P5a for Amtrak, the new base was born.

We can say that the P5 has a similar sound compared to the M5 train horn. It has an original tuning of A major dominant 7th chord but has more of brass tone into it.

The new designs for the P-horns have said to stormed during 1976-1977, but it didn't follow original drafts as intended. The only difference between new bells with the old ones was that new bells have the words, "Pat. Pend" as compared to old bells' "Pat. Pending." And as expected, the new patterns affected the way the sound of these bells because new bells were really out of tune, hence; they are not striking the proper chord. The train horns eventually brought out an array of new designs, which, unfortunately, produced the same indistinct sound. These P5 designs were later bagged as "old castings" especially the ones made in the 1970's.

The P01345 train horn was another design that did not quite get any large market response. The large 0 bell replaced the #2 bell. It really did not really make any difference in terms of its sound or appearance. It has an original tune of A major dominant 7th (C7).

These dischordant train horns also known as "old castings," on the other side, may have been the edge of P5's in the market. Since the old castings of these train horns gave out an untuned sound, you really can't tell if the train horn needs maintenance or not. Compared to an M5 that needs regular calibration, P5's could probably go for another month or so.

Only a few P5's can be heard in action today. The newer version P5's are installed on Illinois Central locomotives and on veteran Norfolk Southern locomotive. In the late 1980's, Norfolk Southern had begun to customize K-5LA train horns for the new locomotives. And because of Canadian National's purchase of IC, it's not impossible that IC will need more P5's.

Bottom line is that the P-Horns had a few design failures that may have altered its current status at its peak. Nevertheless, its unfortunate turn brought it to the conventional side of the game. It has made them indispensable in a way that it makes them easy to manage and maintenance is not half-bad.