Some Diesel Dan Nathan K5L Memories

[Bad Luck]

I know everybody here is a grouch who supposedly doesn't care about this sort of stuff these days, but I came across this and found it neat.

Years ago, in a time far far away when Diesel Dan was about to retire, some discussion about his LIRR horn swaps in the mid-late 90s occurred in his retirement thread. Even outside of these threads, it had long been said that one GP38-2 was retrofitted with a Nathan K5L (think BC Rail in Canada). The unit in question was the 259, and up until this time, I had never been able to locate a video or audio clip of said K to hear it again.

I just came across this recording of LLPX 2248, equipped with just such a horn. Surely by no coincidence, the 2248 was formerly LI 259; a few of these kept their old LI horns with this one being no exception.

Check it out:
http://trainiax.net/recordings/lrec-slr-2001-08-22-llpx2248.wav

Some horn anecdotes:
http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=19153&hilit=diesel+dan&start=15#p187126

Any of the fellow old timers from these threads still around? Always nice to see this stuff in writing and know that my memories aren't just messing with me. How's Dan doing these days?

[frankie]

Sweet! Just closing my eyes and listening to that audio clip brings back wonderful memories of my younger days train watching from the Mineola station during rush hour. I loved those blaring horns on the GP38s!

Frankie

[mirrodie]

Ill have to send this to him! He's doing well in retirement!

[nyandw]

"...I know everybody here is a grouch who supposedly doesn't care about this sort of stuff these days, but I came across this and found it neat.Any of the fellow old timers from these threads still around? Always nice to see this stuff in writing and know that my memories aren't just messing with me...."

Horns are fun! Here's the horn page I have: http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrhorns/lirrhorns.htm and the photos of the unit you linked to GP-38-2 #259:

LIRR #259 Huntington 1978, a Leslie RS3L horn Photo: Joe Tischner

LIRR #259 Port Jefferson in the 90s Nathan K5L horn as the only GP38-2 equipped with Canadian 5 chime horn Photo: Joe Tischner

The page needs more .wav or .mp3 files as it is "work in progress" ! Nice, thanks.

Frankie: With so many cross streets between Sayville and East Patchogue the horn action was a "cornucopia" [How's that for a fancy word for endless ] of sound.

[frankie]

Frankie: With so many cross streets between Sayville and East Patchogue the horn action was a "cornucopia" [How's that for a fancy word for endless ] of sound.

Well said Steve! Mineola had Main St., Willis Ave. and Roslyn Road crossings one after another. Those two longs, one short and one long were a continuous triple one note symphony that was music to my ear.

[Slippy]

The 261 and 271 were also diesel Dan horn mods. After the 271 had that ugly ghetto mural removed is when the horn was changed.

Ghetto mural with one of diesel Dan's horns

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/518495/

Engine 261

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/338385/

[Bad Luck]

The 271 mod ended up on the 270 (albeit with one additional change) before being knocked off after a gnarly tree strike. There was some hefty damage to the bottom of the manifold after it made very good friends with what it hit.

A few months prior
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/152901/