I love that these old whistles are oftentimes harmonic. As a musician it's fun to me guessing what chords they are. They're so fun to listen to! I think of the Wild West and blues, Thomas the Tank Engine, and my grandpa, who used to be a locomotive driver.
My grandparents grew up in N&W and Virginian territory. They both described the hooters used on the Class Y, Class Z, and Class A locomotives as the “lonely call in the desolate mountains”. Partially because of how lonely and haunting it sounds, but also because it cut through the hollows and could be heard long before the train was felt or seen
My wife and I spent our Honey moon last November in the Smokie Mountains. One of our stops was Dollywood, which was decorated for Christmas and happens to be my favorite holiday. I have had an enormous love for loud cars and things like that. She convinced me to get on the train, which was my first time ever on a steam train. When I tell you the sound of the whistle took my breath away would be an understatement. I am an easily excitable 28 year man with the heart of a child. It was magical! We rode it more than once, and the second time around, I sat front and center to hear it! It actually brought tears to my eyes because of the incredible commanding authority it has when sounding off. I may ever make my first short on YT showing it!
If you look closely it's on a shay, most likely a reading 6 chime because C&O 6 chime whistles are a lot deeper. I'm 90% sure the highest pitch 6 chime belongs to reading
You should do the loudest whistle between the Reading 2102 hooter whistle and the Norfolk and western 1218 and see how many like it. Norfolk and Western has 2 whistles and they are the normal whistle and the other one sounds deeper
