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Looking at the new catalog, I'd like to order a GP30, GP35 and maybe an S2. I'm worried, however, that the horn on these engines is going to be that same high pitched shrill horn they've been putting in many of their diesels lately. Their SD70 horns used to be so cool and then they got replaced with that lame shrill horn...which is also in the SD40's, the GP9's, and I think the E8/E9's as well....and maybe others.

 

To be fair, it's not that I don't like that horn. I actually DO like it, I just don't want it in every single diesel I buy. So I'm wondering if that same horn will be in the GP30's GP35 and S2....

 

Does anyone else know what I'm talking about or am I just nuts?

 

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

 

Last edited by ericstrains.com
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In the Notch 6 podcast, it was stated that the GP30 will have the correct horn for each road name and the correct decorative horn on top (single chime, 5 chime, etc.), and I'd imagine that will also be true for the S2.  As for the GP35, I believe that it doesn't have the high pitched horn, it has a different horn (watch Lionel's product video for it on YouTube).

I've got the SD-70 and it does have a very good horn.  I suppose some of my otherother diesels don't have a good or a proto-typically good horn, but I haven't noticed and frankly I don't like my SD-70 any more of less because of its horn. It occurs to me in fact I did not even check if the horn works on my new LC+ GP-7.  

 

All of this mostly because horn and whistle sounds aren't that important to me - I seldom operate either.  But I know they are to others, though, and I hope for that reason Lionel pays attention for their sake. 

 

When it comes to sound, what I want in diesels is good dynamic engine sounds.  doesn't have to be authentic (I've never actually heard most of them that I have as models in the real world) but I want a 'detailed' sound that changes with what the loco is doing.  My favorite is the Legacy U30C - at idle I can hear valves opening and closing (and I don't even know if the loco had valves - if it was a two- or four-cycle engine) - it is a fantastic, detailed sound that changes dynamically as flips out of idle.  Very cool.  

 

Frankly I think Lionel is focusing on that more than horn sounds.

 

 

I don't know why Lionel "seems" to shelve some of their better soundsets? Some of their best steamer whistles were offered in TMCC and would without a doubt be home runs in quillable form.

 

The last TMCC GP 30 offered before legacy was introduced had fantastic horns, that had a bit of squeal the instant the button was pressed and started in a single chime until the horn received full air pressure and the other chimes kicked in.

 

IMO Even the prime mover sounds are fuller:

 

Not my video.

 

Last edited by RickO

I have only touched the surface of air horns. Most are 3 or 5 chime chords, that do get out of tune. I guess Lionel recorded a lame horn or the frequency response of the speaker doesn't handle the lows. Some engineers use their own horns and take it with them when off duty. I still can't determine which horn is installed when new. A customer specified item? Most EMD GP38-2's that I see in service have 3 chime horns.

 

Visit this site and enjoy some nice Leslie and Nathan 3 and 5 chime horns. Check out collection and sound library.

 

A Leslie S3L sample is attached and a Nathan K3LA, one of the more common horns in use.

 

There's no excuse for a lame sound file. Plenty of good horns still in service to record.

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Last edited by Moonman
Originally Posted by ericstrains.com:

Looking at the new catalog, I'd like to order a GP30, GP35 and maybe an S2. I'm worried, however, that the horn on these engines is going to be that same high pitched shrill horn they've been putting in many of their diesels lately. Their SD70 horns used to be so cool and then they got replaced with that lame shrill horn...which is also in the SD40's, the GP9's, and I think the E8/E9's as well....and maybe others.

 

To be fair, it's not that I don't like that horn. I actually DO like it, I just don't want it in every single diesel I buy. So I'm wondering if that same horn will be in the GP30's GP35 and S2....

 

Does anyone else know what I'm talking about or am I just nuts?

 

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

 

I have the earlier Legacy GP30 along with the GP35 and the SD40. They all have different horns. There nothing to dislike about any of em.. 

Love running all three lashed up together.

Each has a slightly different start up time and different engine sounds as they begin moving ou but I wish the option existed with legacy to start each engine individually in a lashup. 

Even without that option, I cannot say enough good things about how cool they run and sound together..

Joe

 

 

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