Hello all... I am the attractions mechanic at Tulsa zoo. We have 3 C.P.Huntington trains. Two of them use the old Ford 172 engine. My question today is about the Lunkenheimer whistles. I have one that is very touchy...it will just squeal when pulled. Is there adjustment in the main valve to remedy this?
- Thread starter tulsa zoo
- Start date
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Steam whistles operated on air sound way off key due to the difference in the density of steam vs air , the speed of sound in steam vs air and difference in velocity of steam vs air at the same pressure.
Maybe able to tune the note some by varying pressure and the orifice size in the valve/whistle.
These trains came from the manufacturer set up this way..there is verticle tuning ability. I think it is just possibly worn out spring or mabe needs shimmed. Taking it apart I don't see a way to adjust the overall pull of the plunger to stop overtravel.
This train is almost 50 years old now. I'm sure things are worn on it !!!
Merton
Member
- Location
- Washington NC
You can adjust the tune on most whistles by changing the height of the top cylinder/barrel. Yes stream gives a richer sound than compressed air. If you post a picture I can help guide you.
I shimmed the plunger so it will not depress as far as a squeel. I could figure a way to limit pressure through the pipe with a jet or something...but very hard to get to. And I only usually get a few hours to work on a train before it is needed out again!! mabe I can figure something out this winter when our slow time hits.
Pete in Holland MI
Member
Hey Tulsa -
Sounds like you have a standard single note whistle? One big slot around the base of the bell (tube) instead of 3 scallops? If the whistle is difficult to blow without screaching, sounds like the bell is adjusted too close to the slot in the base. There should be an acorn nut on top of the whistle. It is a jam nut. Remove the nut and soak the threads with a thread loosening oil. If it isn't too rusted tight, you should be able to loosen and spin the bell on the main shaft. Turn so the gap between the bowl and bell gets greater and try that.
With the bell too close to the bowl, the sound jumps an octave and screaches. Keep backing the bell away from the bowl, testing each time. Eventually the sound will start to fade & get airy. Find the happy medium of where it sounds best and then snug up the acorn nut. Even a 6" diameter whistle can be adjusted to blow by mouth pressure.
Post any pictures of your whistle for us steam inquisitive folk ?
Let me know how it comes out.
Pete
Sounds like you have a standard single note whistle? One big slot around the base of the bell (tube) instead of 3 scallops? If the whistle is difficult to blow without screaching, sounds like the bell is adjusted too close to the slot in the base. There should be an acorn nut on top of the whistle. It is a jam nut. Remove the nut and soak the threads with a thread loosening oil. If it isn't too rusted tight, you should be able to loosen and spin the bell on the main shaft. Turn so the gap between the bowl and bell gets greater and try that.
With the bell too close to the bowl, the sound jumps an octave and screaches. Keep backing the bell away from the bowl, testing each time. Eventually the sound will start to fade & get airy. Find the happy medium of where it sounds best and then snug up the acorn nut. Even a 6" diameter whistle can be adjusted to blow by mouth pressure.
Post any pictures of your whistle for us steam inquisitive folk ?
Let me know how it comes out.
Pete
Reminds me of the time our ship's whistle was removed for repair in Honolulu. They replaced it with a truck air horn bolted to the bridge wing. We would eat our lunch in the 1st Assistant Engineers office and listen for the noon whistle. It cracked us up listening to that tinny truck horn compared to the mighty steam whistle. Our repaired whistle meet the ship later in the voyage.
1948CaseVAI
Well-known Member
AFAIK the C P Huntington is still in production. You could call Chance Rides in Wichita, KS to see if they have a rebuild kit.
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