European Railroad Discussion > German Whistle goes to America

I was a U. S. Army locomotive engineer and served time in Germany. When I arrived I was thinking the steam locomotives would have high pitched European whistles. Too my surprise the German locomotives had Hooter whistles kind of like the Norfolk and Western locomotives in the U. S.

When it was time to ship home I so liked the whistles on the 052 Class 2-10-0's I asked the German shop foreman how I could get one. He replied two bottles of whisky and you will have one. To the PX I went and two half gallon bottles of whisky at $3.49 each and a whistle was mine.

After returning to the States I purchased a Lunkenheimer whistle valve, turned a coupler with German threads on one end and pipe on the other.

The whistle has sounded off in America. I still have the German valve in a box. They are very large as the whistle was side mounted on the boiler.

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We honor your service and it looks like you had a good time doing so. Thanks for the story. What years were you there?
Roger B

Rodger

I was in the 714th Railway Battalion from 1971 to 1974. In Germany from 1972 to 74. They say steam ran until 1978. It was good duty. We worked side by side with the German railroaders who had been working with American rail crews from the end of the war. They treated us like family.

The 714th was deactivated in 1972. Those of us stationed overseas finished up our tours then came home for discharge. Could have stayed in the TC Corps but it would have been in trucks or helicopters so I got out after three years.

Rail operations were turned over to the German Railways (DB). I am lucky they lasted into the 70's.

Ron

If anyone in Germany reads this and needs the valve stem for a restored locomotive pay the shipping and I will send it to you.

Any recordings of the whistle?

Tominde Wrote:
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> Any recordings of the whistle?


The best recording are on YouTube. Type in German steam whistles or 052 Class German steam whistles. My old Super 8 back then did not record sound..

All of the major German steam has the same whistle. The railroad was State owned and everything was standerized no verity like in the U S. The good thing about that is much is saved over there because many parts are available.

When I had it on Shay 15 I was busy running and did not record it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/18 19:34 by MRS11813.

Tominde Wrote:
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> Any recordings of the whistle?

It is hard to record a whistle in Germany. They do not blow for crossings and almost never turn on the bell. So lots of steam action on YouTube but not much whistle blowing.

My whistle does the same thing as the N&W whistles did on a Y6. It will be sounding then break into a high pitched sequel just like the NW Hooters did.

I have been contacted and the valve is returning to Germany.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/18 20:18 by MRS11813.

1. Those darn whistles.

2. Handing the train over to the Americans.

3. A friendly local German crew. Great guys.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/18 21:24 by MRS11813.

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Hard pull up the grade.

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1. Waiting for a switch list.

2. Coffee time while the list is being written.

3. The station.

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1. After making a set out for the base ready to High Ball. German locomotive were not much for paint but boy did they run like fine tuned watches.

2. Morning inbound stopping at the base with employees.

3. More coal lets go in this high stepping 2-6-2 lets get moving.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/18 21:33 by MRS11813.

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1. Local to the tower, line them switches.

2. Stop. Better let that freight clear.

3. Stop for sure.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/18 21:34 by MRS11813.

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Thanks so much, that's a wonderful sequence of photos.

Great story, great photos, great life

It was good duty. When orders were coming down at Fort Eustis many friends were going to Port Chicago the Navy ammo depot in California about and hour from my home. My orders were for Germany and I thought Germany.

Now looking back that was the best thing that could have happen. Go to a country that is still running steam. Full of history and great places to travel and see. A paid vacation for two years.

Here are photos of the great Germans I worked with on the morning local.

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Soldier Railroaders moving the freight.

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M 60's on the move.

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Some days were a bit interesting.

So thanks to the DB for hanging onto steam into the 1970's. Thanks to the Shop foreman who give me a whistle.

Thanks to the German Railway men who were the best to work, eat and of course drink with at the end of the day. Did I say Beer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/18 19:34 by MRS11813.

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MRS11813 Wrote:
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> M 60's on the move.

Just in time for the Yom Kippur War?

Very interesting to hear your story. Have you run any steam locomotives since?

Jack

ts1457 Wrote:
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> MRS11813 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > M 60's on the move.
>
> Just in time for the Yom Kippur War?
>
> Very interesting to hear your story. Have you run
> any steam locomotives since?
>
>Jack


Sierra Railroad in the 80's, Shay 2, numbers 3 and 28. Sugar Pine 10 and 15. For Shays the 15 is my favorite if I had to pick a Shay. The whistle ran on the 15 one weekend.