You know, there are two points that haven't been addressed:
Is VMT satisfied with the UP Whistle?
Do they have any desire to even consider replacing it?
Neither of these points can be answered here. I admit, as happy as I was to see the 611 under steam again, the whistle was truly a disappointment.
If Mr. Fitzpatrick wants another whistle, he can find one. The Nathan 3 chime were on the J's, K's, and E's. There has to be an original N&W whistle somewhere if they really want one (even if it is obtained as a loaner). Worse case, there are reproductions available. I even gave thought to buying and donating a reproduction, but that assumes that VMT would want it.
This discussion has been very useful. FWIW, I've learned a lot about N&W whistles....
They were not Nathan 3-chimes, they were Hancock 3-chimes.
So is the UP whistle.
If you doubt me, see what the UP Historical Society has to say about it.
Listen to the those UP recordings and you'll see how different whistles of the exact same model can sound.
For comparison, here are some N&W Recordings with a few Hancocks and quite a few Hooters
Note that both websites specify "Hancock Long Bell 3-Chime Whistles", not shop made, custom or specially designed whistles.
The placement on the engine, the orientation, the type of steam it's blown on (superheated or saturated) and especially wear and tear on the whistle can and do greatly influence the sound.
Any object in the near field of the whistle can detune some of the chambers, causing a change in their audio frequencies (notes).
One whistle collector has stated that "All of the hundreds of Hancock Long Bell 3-Chime whistles that were ever produced were at one time or another mounted on the 25 Union Pacific Big Boys, if Ebay advertisements are to be believed."
