[CBQ] CBQ Steam Locomotive Whistles

["Louis Zadnichek via groups.io" <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>]

October 4, 2022

 

James - Some years ago, there was a rather lengthy and detailed discussion on this site about Q steam whistles.  I'm not all that computer literate, but maybe some other member of our group can direct you to that thread as I think you'd find it quite informative.

 

First, I highly recommend you go to the BRHS Website (assuming that you're a BRHS member), enter the members only section and go to the Flickr collection (over 40,000 images at present and growing).  View the many, many images of Q steam locomotives and note the different types of whistles they carried during their service lives, particularly the older power. Also, view the collectibles album that has a number of the different types of whistles shown.

 

Basically, sometime after World War One, the Q standardized on the five chime cast steel "Banshee" whistles that were made at the Aurora Shops.  Then in the years that followed, as steam locomotives received heavy repairs, their original whistles were exchanged for the five chimers.  Thus, you can find images of five chimers on everything from 0-6-0T roundhouse goats up to 2-10-4's. 

 

But, older style whistles continued to be found on a variety of classes up until the time the locomotives were eventually retired.  There doesn't seem to be any real pattern to this excepting that newer steam power such as the 4-6-4's and 4-8-4's came from their builders with five chimers that they kept through their service lifetimes.  So, if you're modeling a specific locomotive, try to find images of it in the Flickr collection to see what kind of whistle it was equipped with at the time the photo was taken.

 

Like Bill, I also date back to when Q steam was still in regular use and later into the fan trip era. I, too, can still remember hearing the whistles blow - Louis     

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

In a message dated 10/3/2022 6:33:47 PM Central Standard Time, clipperw@gmail.com writes:

 

James,

 

Whistles were changed out with non Q whistles on several CB&Q fan trips. The late Maury Klebolt, then president of Illini RR Club, was fond of steamboat whistles. Both 4960 and 5632 were equipped with that type of whistle on various fan trips. The steamboat whistles were easily identified as they were tall and cylinder shaped, mounted in the whistle location. Some of the whistles on Mobile Fidelity’s Sunday Only album are Q while others are not. In particular, the long track of 5632 leaving Burlington, IA, while a beautiful track, does not have a Q whistle. I have seen several comments about the origin of that whistle, one of which indicated that it was from an I.C. locomotive. I personally do not know what whistle was used that day. By the way, I rode that trip and I have been around long enough to have hear some Q whistles in regular service. 

 

Bill Barber

Gravois Mills, MO

 

Re: CBQ Steam Locomotive Whistles 
From: james miller
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:53:57 PDT 

 

If you can find a copy of "Sunday Only" recording there are several whistles used on different engines. I remember one fan trip with the 4960 that had a steamboat whistle. Of course the 5 chime screamers on the northerns we're my favorites.

_._,_._,_

---

   Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

View/Reply Online (#64448) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic
Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [archives@nauer.org]

_._,_._,_