WNYRHS
"Extra Board"
Sounds
Talking Track Detectors back in 1995 during the Conrail© Years
Depew, New York - Norfolk Southern Southern Tier Line MP 413
CP5555 - 226KB CR6149 - 194KB CR6618 - 383KB CR7206 - 300KB
Lancaster, New York - CSX "Water Level Route" MP 427.1
Amtrak283 - 215KB CSX8533 - 225KB CSX8436 - 214KB
| On August 7th, 2004 at 12:30PM at the Williamsville, New York - LEHIGH VALLEY DEPOT, 86 South Long Street, visitors were treated to another real "Blast from the Past" with those thrilling days of yesteryear when the sound of a steam locomotive's whistle would bring kids and parents alike to trackside to see the train. We were able to relive those days with the sounds of steam locomotives as they blew their whistles for the South Long street crossing. Each railroad had its own idea as to how a locomotive whistle should sound. The result was often a sound unique to that railroad. Some were deep and throaty. Others were melodious and some were high pitched. But no matter what the sound, the message was the same. "A train is coming!" Dr. Charles Blumle of Emporium, PA. brought for a second time, his collection of more than twenty whistles from steam locomotives of the New York Central, Baltimore and Ohio, Pennsylvania, Reading, Norfolk and Western, and Southern, to name just a few. Click the link above the visit our second "Horn and Whistle Blow" page for the sights and sounds we all enjoyed. |
| On July 15th 2006, the Williamsville Depot hosted its third Horn and Whistle Blow during the Williamsville "Old Home Days" Celebration. This years featured guest was Mr. Lee Alley and his wife Lavell, from Bristol Tennessee. Lee pulled into the depot with his 16 foot "Whizzle Machine" towed by a custom built Ford F900 Diesel Truck on Friday evening. This self contained trailer has all of Lee's whistles, a 185CFM Sullair compressor and a 125 gallon surge tank. Mr. Alley enjoys taking his whistles to railroad gatherings and community parades, all over the south. Click the link above to see and hear some of the great horns and whistles the town enjoyed. |
| For the fourth time at the Williamsville, New York Lehigh Valley Depot, 86 South Long Street, the sounds of locomotive Whistles and Horns returned visitors to those thrilling days of yesteryear when the sound of a steam locomotive's whistle would bring kids and parents alike to trackside to see the train arriving at the depot. Many Society members and residents of the Village of Williamsville came to relive those days when the sounds of steam and diesel locomotives blew their whistles and horns for the South Long Street crossing. Dr. Charles Blumle of Emporium, PA. brought for a third time, a collection of his favorite steam locomotive whistles and diesel horns to the Williamsville Depot and everyone had a wonderful time. The sales of hot dogs, soft drinks and ear plugs were brisk and tales of "the good old days" were numerous. Click the link above to see and hear some of the great horns and whistles that were featured that day. |
WNY Wayside Signals
| Back in the early 1900's, Western New York and specifically Buffalo, hosted over eight Class 1 railroads. In 1927, Buffalo was considered the second largest railroad hub in the United State. As different as each railroad was, so was their signaling for safety strategy. Sadly, almost all of the different original stalwart cast iron signals from railroading's glory days are gone today. With CSX and Norfolk Southern controlling 95% of all WNY rails, modernization of signaling has changed almost all of today's signal mechanisms. A few of our Class II and Class III railroads still have remnants of older style signals when they took over their rails from the Class I's, but they are few and far between. Fortunately, many have captured photos of what was but in most cases are now gone. |
Click here to visit Wayside Signals of Western New York.
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The WNYRHS, Inc. P.O. Box 416, Buffalo, NY. 14231-0416 is an independent organization and has no affiliation with any other local or national group.
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