Source for WM horns (Nathan M5?)

[ChristianJDavis1]

I have a couple of WM units I would like to equip with the proper, or close enough, horns. Research says it is a Nathan M5, which does not appear to be made in N scale. However, I have seen several N scale models with "close-enough" horns, but I just don't know what they are. I was told be @wm3798 that he used an Atlas part for his engines, but I cannot seem to find anything close. Does anybody else have any ideas? I looked through a few different manufacturers parts, and even shapeways, but I think I've just about tried everything I can think of.

[PiperguyUMD]

I've been using the BLMA 226 horns on my WM gear. It's billed as a Leslie S5T, but its pretty much the only game in town for a horn with five bells facing the same direction in the 2+3 configuration.

[wpsnts]

Christian,
Is this what you are after?
https://www.miniaturesbyeric.com/collections/n-scale-parts-a-to-h/products/nh15-horn-5-chime

Dave

[wm3798]

Here's the Atlas horns I used.  I have a couple left, but you'll have to take them from my cold, dead hands.




Each horn is a two part assembly, one at each end of the sprue.  I tried to do search on the Atlas catalog, but "N Scale Horn" apparently was more challenging than I thought, and the search timed out.  Might have been my poor internet connection.  I'm not sure which locomotive they were designed for.  Sadly, the little pouch isn't marked with a part number.  I think they're supposed to represent a Leslie 5 chime, I just liked that I got a more suitable cluster of horns that looked "close enough"

Good luck in your quest.
Lee

[Rasputen]

JnJ made one that looks a lot like the Miniatures By Eric one, with the longest horn in the middle.  They also made a 5 chime Amtrak horn, no. 344-116, in two pieces, with two smaller horns to be stacked on top of three.  Let me know if you need images of either unit.

[Point353]

I have a couple of WM units I would like to equip with the proper, or close enough, horns. Research says it is a Nathan M5, which does not appear to be made in N scale.

Although now discontinued, JnJ Trains made a five chime forward style Nathan horn detail part:

[wpsnts]

You might also try here. http://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/product/47147/AIR-HORN-NATHAN-M5/
The web site says they have two in stock.
If you can find them Sunrise Enterprises made a 5 chime. They are out of business now. Swap meet time.
Dave

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Are you afraid of the fragility of FUD?

[ChristianJDavis1]

The S5T looked to me to be the closest, but I always trust those with more experience to be the judge of that; they will probably be what I got for.

The JnJ/MBE parts are five-chime forward, but they seemed to be "stacked" differently, with all five bells in a pyramid shape instead of the 2+3.

I couldn't find anything about the Atlas horns, either, so I just discounted them entirely (great knowing the exist, but if I can't get them, why bother?).

The ones at Desplaines sound promising, but again, limited to 2 (so I could do one cab unit at maximum). Also, no picture, so who knows what I'm getting aside from trusting the description.

As far as FUD, I thought about that, but aside from finding nothing, I question my ability to keep them intact for more than a few runs.

So it's looking like the S5T is as close as I am getting that has both the look and the availability. Only difference I can tell (other than manufacturer, obviously), is the bell length. Do I also see that they have two mounting pins?

[peteski]

How about Kato P42 or F40PH horns?  I think those have 5 horns facing in the same direction and should be available as spare parts.

[ChristianJDavis1]

How about Kato P42 or F40PH horns?  I think those have 5 horns facing in the same direction and should be available as spare parts.

I think those have all of the bells in a "flat" (or pyramidal) orientation, as opposed to the two on top, three on the bottom that I am looking for. Now, maybe I could cut the bells off and rearrange them, but I'm wondering if that would be worth it. I have to go home and look at some other models I have to see what the horns look like, because I figured some of the more modern horns with all forward-facing bells would work before I realized how they were arranged.

[peteski]

I think those have all of the bells in a "flat" (or pyramidal) orientation, as opposed to the two on top, three on the bottom that I am looking for. Now, maybe I could cut the bells off and rearrange them, but I'm wondering if that would be worth it. I have to go home and look at some other models I have to see what the horns look like, because I figured some of the more modern horns with all forward-facing bells would work before I realized how they were arranged.

These are molded from slippery plastic - not easily glued (especially with such a small glued area). Oh well . ..

[ChristianJDavis1]

These are molded from slippery plastic - not easily glued (especially with such a small glued area). Oh well . ..

I haven't had too much problem with the slippery plastic, which makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong/right. Even if I could, though, I'm assuming the final results would be less-than-spectacular.

[peteski]

I haven't had too much problem with the slippery plastic, which makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong/right. Even if I could, though, I'm assuming the final results would be less-than-spectacular.

Well then, keep doing whatever you're doing.    The only way I can securely join that type of plastic is by melting pieces together.

Then maybe your idea of what is a strong glue joint is different from mine. 

[Maletrain]

Well, I just learned something: The WM put two 5-chime horns on their covered wagons, while the B&O just put one on the engineer's side of the roof.

Wondering why the WM would do that -  replace 2 OEM horns with 10 horns?  I know the idea of the different "chimes" was musically motivated to get a more pleasing tone.  But, why double the number of horns making each tone?