KCSM 4735’s Tone-Shifting Nathan K5HL Train Horn - Noel, MO

Here is a video of a KCS light power move passing through Noel. The leader has a horn that behaves very strangely. It’s a standard GEVO horn, a Nathan K5HL. It produces the proper chord for the first 3 honks, but it plays a very strange and eerie chord on the final honk at the crossing. It continues to play this unusual chord as the train honks for the crossing north of me, but halfway through it reverts back to its correct tone.
I have no idea what caused this. If anyone has information, please share in the comments.
Originally Recorded 12-3-23
CPKC’s (KCS) Heavener Sub
©️2024 By UPking. All Rights Reserved.

[@nicoleasyowell1070]

That's a very nice video of Noel, Missouri.

[@TommyBNSF]

The eerie chord is the 1L overblowing to play a C# an octave above the C note it normally plays, so it almost sounds like a K5H/K5L. I've seen this happen on ACes and SD70M-2s, especially on CN, but rarely do I ever see this on GEVOs.

[@upking9080]

Interesting, thanks for the information!

[@sodalitetrain771]

Update on the horn, after catching it yesterday it only honks the eerie chord, and it sounds very odd.

[@zwmrailfan]

I would assume some of the bells are dying or not enough air is getting to some.

[@MetraUPNWproductions7202]

You should do geyer road in kirkwood