This horn is a Nathan Airchime K5HL and GE seems to have been applying this model to most of the GEVO orders. EMD has been applying the Nathan Airchime K5LLA to it's SD70ACE and 70M-2 units. Both of these horn models are updated versions of the K5H and K5LA. As for it being "massive",no, the Leslie RS5T-RRO is much larger and nicer sounding, but rarely utilized these days.
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Does anyone know the reason why, on these GE locomotives, the horns are facing toward the rear of the locomotive? (Note the orientation of the flag, and that the exhaust stack is to the left.)
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The reason for this "backwards" horn mounting is due to the STUPIDEST rule ever brought in to effect by the FRA. There is now a maximum decibel level that locomotive horns can make. In short here is the rule:
229.129 Locomotive horn. (a) Each lead locomotive shall be equipped with a locomotive horn that produces a minimum sound level of 96 dB(A) and a maximum sound level of 110 dB(A) at 100 feet forward of the locomotive in its direction of travel. The locomotive horn shall be arranged so that it can be conveniently operated from the engineer's usual position during operation of the locomotive. (b)(1) Each locomotive built on or after September 18, 2006 shall be tested in accordance with this section to ensure that the horn installed on such locomotive is in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section.
Locomotives built prior to this date have 5 years to comply. Also, locomotives used in rapid transit are exempt from this rule.
On EMD SD70ACe & 70M-2 units the sound wave is partially blocked by the car body where the exhaust is located thus reducing the decibel level directly in front of the unit. Most of the EMD units are receiving K5LLA horns with 3 bells facing forward and 2 bells reversed.
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