Is This How A 2332 Horn Should Sound?

That is about as bad as it gets.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

That is about as bad as it gets.

What can I do to get it working properly Marty?

There is a small nut on top that can be turned (GENTLY !! ) to very slightly change the pitch. The reed rattles to create the sound. It should have a sort of "B-R-R-A-A-T". The real GG-1's had a strange sound exclusive to them, so if you can search out a recording on-line you'll be able to compare.

I haven't heard one before but I have always heard that is what a horn in a 2332 should sounded like.  ����

After all it's 1947 technology.

Richard

A good horn with a good battery sounded decent back in the day.   When restoring one of those, try to find an old stock new horn.

You can change the sound as Art describes, but all 2332's sound like a buzzer, yours  sounds 'right'.  Lionel's fist attempt at a horn sound. A real GG-1 horn sounded harsh.

I know it doesn't help your immediate request for your 2332, but here's a clip of the real thing:

FWIW, my GG1 horn sounds similar to yours. I think the idea of turning the small nut on top of the horn is the right approach.  You're not going to get it to sound "good", but with a little experimentation, you may be able to get it to sound less bad.  As someone noted, you're dealing with 1947 technology, not a modern digital recording...

Have fun with it.

Steven J. Serenska

Hey Marty, The 2332 doesn't have a battery.

The 2332 makes noise by vibrating a plastic box.   Your horn sounds like the plastic is cracked. Inspect the sound box for cracks. Especially the top where the brass rod attaches. The sound boxes are for sale on eBay all the time. Search for "Lionel 2332".

Here is the Service Manual page on the 2332 GG-1 horn.

Thanks for the info and tips everyone! I inspected the horn for any noticeable defects and found none. I also turned the adjustment nut very gently as instructed, however I was not able to get a pitch that sounded better. I may order one of those sound boxes listed on eBay and compare it to the one I have now.

Zach,

I recorded my 2332 pretty much sounds like yours. 

franktrain

franktrain posted:

Zach,

I recorded my 2332 pretty much sounds like yours. 

franktrain

Thanks for sharing the video of yours Frank!

I have never had a 2332.  I think my GG-1's are 2360 or 2340.  Do they have the same horn or do they have the regular diesel horn that is in the F3's and GP's?

AUSSTEVE: Yours have the battery powered horns like the diesels.

Franktrain: You've got the right sound, it's deeper than Zach's.

My dad drove GG1's for PRR and I believe he would roll over in his grave if he were to hear that sound out of a GG1.  I have been thinking about buying one from a friend.   Since I never owned one, would it be possible to put in a sound board, assuming there is room and there is and a sound board with GG1 sound on it?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Walsh posted:

My dad drove GG1's for PRR and I believe he would roll over in his grave if he were to hear that sound out of a GG1.  I have been thinking about buying one from a friend.   Since I never owned one, would it be possible to put in a sound board, assuming there is room and there is and a sound board with GG1 sound on it?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed, the 2332 has plenty of room to mount a sound board. If you were to remove the sound box you would have even more room to work with. I am not sure if you can readily find a sound board with GG-1 sounds on it.

Zachary,

Thanks for the info.   I though there had to be plenty of room but I just wanted to hear from someone who knew the engine.   

Thank you,

Ed

Your horn sound is correct. This was new leading edge toy train technology back in the 1940's. When I first heard one, I fell in love with its charm and had to have one or two. Sort of challenged, but trying all the harder to do the job. IMO it should be revered. Certainly a conversation starter....

His father drove one, & he never owned one, Weird   I watched them come in & go out of Penn station in the 40's. Now I have about 8 of them.

Dallee has a GG-1 sound system

Well, that brings up Lots of Memories!! What a Noise!! I thought my GG1 had a defective horn back in 1955...That was the Sound....Well, I have the Century Club 1 GG1, I have never ran it, now is time to check out the horn.  Thanks for this post. Happy Railroading.  

I thought that when they did the conventional classics that they should have put a digitally recorded bicycle horn to recreate the true sound of those classics.  Of course, they could perfected the sound.

Alan

Here's an update on the horn, I didn't adjust it much (about an 1/8th of a turn to the left. It sounds a touch better to me.

I think you're close now.  Remember, this is more of a buzzer than horn.

Not to hijack the thread, but that's a very nice looking layout.  Can you post other pictures or, if you have, can you let us know so we can search for the links?

Steven J. Serenska

Yea they seem to sound right. The GG1 had a different sound than the diesels with a bicycle horn.

Serenska posted:

I think you're close now.  Remember, this is more of a buzzer than horn.

Not to hijack the thread, but that's a very nice looking layout.  Can you post other pictures or, if you have, can you let us know so we can search for the links?

Steven J. Serenska

Close is good enough for me! Thanks Steven! For you and others who are interested I have a YouTube channel and I have a few videos of my layouts posted on it. This link should take you right to it! http://www.youtube.com/c/ZachK_Trains