Leslie S-3K

Characteristics

Tuning

D# minor chord (D#, F#, A#) with Leslie bells #31, #37, #48

Sound

Theoretically, an S-3K sounds the same chord as the Nathan/Airchime K3H. In practice, however, the Leslie horn has a unique sound. Older horns without the RS modifications have a tendancy to have bells squeal or stop sounding completely, and some strange sounds can result. While newer horns with the "RS" power chambers are much less prone to go out of tune, the modifications also give them a more throaty or sharp sound.

On all versions, the middle note is often a little lower than the intended tuning, compared to the K3H which sometimes has the middle note a little high. Leslie horns are known to have finicky power chambers, and the bells often won't sound unless they're adjusted precisely. When fully functional, however, they are very effective warning signals.

Samples

See the Nathan/Airchime K3H section for a general idea of the sound.

Appearance

The most common arrangement of the S-3K is to have the two large bells on either side of the manifold facing forwards, with the smallest one in the middle, raised and facing backwards. The appearance is very similar to the S-3L-R, but the bells are noticeably smaller. S-3K's were also made with all the bells facing forwards. While it was not often done, the bells could be arranged in any fashion on the manifold, since all the power chambers are the same size.

Leslie bells have narrower throats than those of the Nathan/Airchime K-series and M-series, and there's a wider variation in the diameter of the bell openings--the larger bells having a much wider outer opening than the smaller ones.

Classification and Use

Classification

The S-3K was not made in as many variations as the S-3L, so there are not as many suffixes and prefixes in the designation. An "R" prefix indicates the internal modifications with spiked back caps, while an "R" suffix indicates that one bell is reverse (usually the #48 bell, in the top center postion of the manifold). Both these modifications would result in an RS-3L-R.

History

The S-3K horn was introduced to comply with Canadian regulations for a D# minor chord, which was also sounded by the Airchime K3H. Internal modifications were made in the 1970's to improve reliability, resulting in the "R" prefix and "spiked" back caps.

Locations

Ironically, despite the compliance with Canadian tuning regulations, most S-3K's ended up being sold to American railroads. This horn can most often be heard on locomotives of BN heritage built in the 1970's and 1980's, such as C30-7's and GP50's. Most such horns are RS-3K-R's.