As a tech nerd, I can explain why. With these cars, that’s to be expected. With no air system, there’s no place to hook up an actual horn/whistle, and why should there be a separate air system just for the horn/whistle if the brakes are electric. Makes no sense. What these have are a tone generator. When the horn button is depressed, it generates a tone (I think it’s 1100 Hz as I found out from playing in audacity). All of CTA current cars have a tone generator (and the tone is either 900-something, 1050, or 1100 Hz). The older cars made after the 4000 series but before the 2200 series had different tone generators. The 1-50 series cars had a tone generator that produced a 700-something Hz tone that sounded like the old 4000 series whistle. the 6000 series, 5000 series (as in the articulated cars (like car 52 preserved at IRM), not the current 5000 series), and the 2000 series all used different tone generators. In short: Think of this like your car: the horn is electronic because there’s no air system. Semi-Trucks have an air system, so they have an air horn.
I never knew until now that these cars have a horn. Being that they normally run on grade separated right of way where there are few if any highway crossings.
@@MrAwesomedude808I would like to add that Boston back in the pre World War 2 era also had all electric subway and L trains but they also had air whistles that produced the same hoot sounds as those in Chicago.
From what I heard there haven't been any plans to get them running in normal service sadly. If anything does happen though I will hopefully be around to film it!
@@tyhik9338 Luckily I think the sets at the museum are going to be safe. Or at least one will be as the other may have to be used for parts. But until a restoration start we will have to see what happens.
IRM may restore them to run under their own power, as they were able to rewire a old SSL locomotive to run on their wires. The SSL/Metra Electric both run at 1500 VDC. IRM and the CTA use 600 VDC.
These cars always reminded me of old metal and glass phone booths.
Cool! These units have quite an unusual horn/whsitle!
They definitely sure do get the attention of those around them! Thanks for the comment!
It's Electric horn and to activate the horn you step on a button located on the floor in the motor men's cab .
As a tech nerd, I can explain why. With these cars, that’s to be expected. With no air system, there’s no place to hook up an actual horn/whistle, and why should there be a separate air system just for the horn/whistle if the brakes are electric. Makes no sense. What these have are a tone generator. When the horn button is depressed, it generates a tone (I think it’s 1100 Hz as I found out from playing in audacity). All of CTA current cars have a tone generator (and the tone is either 900-something, 1050, or 1100 Hz). The older cars made after the 4000 series but before the 2200 series had different tone generators. The 1-50 series cars had a tone generator that produced a 700-something Hz tone that sounded like the old 4000 series whistle. the 6000 series, 5000 series (as in the articulated cars (like car 52 preserved at IRM), not the current 5000 series), and the 2000 series all used different tone generators.
In short: Think of this like your car: the horn is electronic because there’s no air system. Semi-Trucks have an air system, so they have an air horn.
I never knew until now that these cars have a horn. Being that they normally run on grade separated right of way where there are few if any highway crossings.
@@MrAwesomedude808I would like to add that Boston back in the pre World War 2 era also had all electric subway and L trains but they also had air whistles that produced the same hoot sounds as those in Chicago.
Awesome video and ride
I was right behind the cameraman when he was filming this.
He protecc
He attac
Most Importantly, he love people riding on his bacc
I wonder if the old highliners will run for irm this summer
From what I heard there haven't been any plans to get them running in normal service sadly. If anything does happen though I will hopefully be around to film it!
@@StevenJam lets hope they do run,please let me know,hopefully they're not being scrapped.
@@tyhik9338 Luckily I think the sets at the museum are going to be safe. Or at least one will be as the other may have to be used for parts. But until a restoration start we will have to see what happens.
IRM may restore them to run under their own power, as they were able to rewire a old SSL locomotive to run on their wires. The SSL/Metra Electric both run at 1500 VDC. IRM and the CTA use 600 VDC.
Interesting how it uses trolley pole instead of pantograph
Yep, a nice little things about IRM is seeing their trolley pole operations, makes things a bit more interesting to watch :D