Nathan/Airchime K3 series - K3L, K3H, K3LA, K3HA

Characteristics

Tuning

K3L/K3H: D# minor chord (D#, F#, A#), with K-series bells #1, #2, #3
K3LA/K3HA: B major triad (D#, F#, B), with K-series bells #1, #2, #4a

Sound

K-series horns are reliable and stay in tune fairly well over many years. They produce a clean, clear sound when in good condition. Before 1977, the bells were sand-cast, and had a slightly mellower sound than later die-cast versions. The GP40-2LW and M420W recordings below are of older K3H horns with sand-cast bells. Three-chime K-series horns do not produce the "warble" common with the five-chime versions, since it is caused by slightly conflicting #1 and #5 bells that are found only on the K5.

Samples

• unknown CN locomotive (1993-07) - K3H (perfect K3H)
• SLR GP40 #3206 (2003-09-05) - K3HR2
• GATX GP40 #3702 (2000-09) - K3HR2
• CN GP40-2L(W) #9524 (2001-01) - K3H
• SLR GP11 #8748 (2000-06-23) - K3LAR2
• MMA C30-7 #3613 (2003-06-20) - K3LAR4

• SLR GP40 #3204 (2002-08-23) - K3HR2 (bell #1 silent, bell #2 sounding G instead of F#)
• ex-CN SLR M420(W) #3512 (2000-08) - K3HR3 (tuned to D# major)
• ex-CN SLR M420(W) #3562 (2000-10) - K3HR3 (vibrating bells, out of tune)
• ex-CN SLR M420(W) #3562 (2001-03) - K3HR3 (bells #1, #3 silent due to snow)
• ex-CN SLR M420(W) #3579 (2000-09) - K3HR3 (bell #3 silent)

Appearance

K-series horns have a similar graceful shape to the P-series, but the bells are wider. A few early versions had the bells arranged in a triangle, with two lower ones and an upper one in the middle, but this was soon replaced with the current manifold with the three bells in a row. One is often reversed--generally either the #2 or #3 bell. All bells share the same back cap and power chamber size.

Classification and Use

Classification

The "L" and "H" have traditionally referred to whether the horn had a low-profile or high-profile manifold. The only difference between them is that the K3H rests on a small stand that raises the horn compared to the K3L. "R" designates a reversed bell, so a K3H with the #2 bell reversed is a K3HR2.

History

The K-series horn was introduced a few years after the P-series in 1954. The first models in widespread use were the K5L/K5H and K3L/K3H. These were tuned to Canadian regulations for a D# minor chord, and were a replacement for the M3H. The K3LA was introduced more than twenty years later (1977) as a derivative of the K5LA, which was introduced in 1975.

Locations

While not common in the United States, the Canadian-tuned K3H/K3L and K5H/K5L are the standard horn of the 20th Century in Canada. Variations of the K3H and K3L are dominant on Canadian Pacific, Canadian National and VIA Rail. American-tuned versions of the K3 have gained acceptance on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Union Pacific and many other roads as a replacement for the Leslie S3L.

It remains to be seen whether any locomotives produced after 2005 will have these older K-series horns, as recent locomotives have been built with the K5LLA (EMD) and K5HL (GE).