Nathan Manufacturing, Inc. is a division of Micro Precision Group which manufactures Airchime, Ltd. train horns mainly for North America. It is one of two major train horn manufacturers in the United States, with Leslie Controls, Inc. being the other.
A K5LA (K-5LA) Horn on top of a Coaster San Diego Cabcar #2310.
A K3LA (K-3LA) Horn on top of a Metra Cabcar #8579
A P5 Horn
A train horn is an air horn used as an audible warning device on diesel and electric-powered trains. Its primary purpose is to alert persons and animals to an oncoming train, especially when approaching a level crossing. They are often extremely loud, allowing them to be heard from great distances. They are also used for acknowledging signals given by railroad employees, such as during switching operations. For steam locomotives, the equivalent device is a train whistle.
Leslie S-5T train horn being fitted to a restored ex-Seaboard System EMD GP30 diesel locomotive at the 2006 Oak Ridge Horn Honk and Collectors Meet
Train horns are made of multiple horn units called chimes which produce different notes; sounded together they make a chord. The Nathan model M5 pictured is a 5 chime horn.
Leslie RS3L locomotive horn, once the most common horn in use on North American railroads
Diagram of a typical locomotive air horn power chamber, showing operation
