Designations and Chords of The M Series AirChime Train Horns
Train Horns Designations
The configurations M train horn series was offered in included 5 chimes, 3, 2, and 1 chime configurations. Depending on the bell numbers utilized, the tunings for these variedly-configured horns will be based accordingly. Still, it can have slight variations. Later on, these variations will be discussed further. Right now, just accept that the 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 bells sound C#, A, G, E, C# respectively.
Those M train horns that are single-noted came in either a single-bell manifold that was designed for bells 1, 2, or 3 or a 3-chime manifold that has 2 “blanked off” ports. Those horns that use the single-bell manifold were designated MS3, MS2, or MS1 depending on which bell is used- 3, 2 , or 1. As for the 3-chime manifold single-note horn, it came out with just a single bell. There were caps on the bell ports 2 and 4 and these were bolted on the manifold's sides. The caps can be removed though to allow the addition of more bells. The designation for this horn is M3-1.
The only ever offered 2-note M train horns employed a 3-chime manifold. Blanked off was one port which is reminiscent of the M3-1. For this version, the bells offered were only bell 1 and bell 2, thus the designation was M3-12. This horn is able to play a minor 3rd interval- C# and E. similar to the M3-1, M3-12 can be added later on with the 4 bell. This would make it an M3. Moreover, if you reverse one of the horn's bells, the designation for that horn will contain the letter ‘R’. If you face the bells in opposite directions, the M3-12 will transform to an M3-1R2.
Next up, for the standard M3s there are several various configurations. Number one is the basic M3. It is a 3-note train horn and uses bells 4, 2, and 1. It can play A major triad, chords C#, E, and A. Reversal of any bell would mean the designation would contain an R then the reversed bell number. A 2-bell reversed M3 will be known as M3R2. An M3 can also be configured to M5-124. This can be done on the 5-chime manifold and blanking off bells 3 and 5. Reversing 1 bell would make it M5-24R1. There was one unique M3 configuration known as the M3RT1. Basically, this is an M3R1 horn yet bell 1 is tilted upwards. This was done to clear whatever obstructions that could be there behind the horn. The sound is similar to what M3R1 plays. It was extensively used on Alco Rs2 and Alco Rs3 models.
M5 is the designation of the 5-note M train horns. Reversal of a bell still applies the same principle, add an R to the designation followed by the reverse bell number. Commonly reversed are bells 2 and 4. This would be M5R24 while the M5R23 is the reversal of bells 2 and 3. A major seventh chord (C# E G A C#) is what an M5 plays. But, the 3 bell tuning was more often than not, flat. Therefore it is common to hear an A major sixth chord (C# E F# A C#).
