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Here are a few of the featured articles planned for the following issue, #119 of Horn & Whistle Magazine

  1. Attention Steam Engine Folks! Horn & Whistle takes you on a tour through another interesting steam plant, and this one's very impressive to say the least.
  2. Antique Electric Motors. This is the follow-up to the basic electricity article that appeared in a previous issue. The electric motors of the steam whistle era are truly wonderful machines and helped, along with the railroad, to propel American industry to its preeminent position. Here, you'll find out how invisible electricity can make a shaft spin, and you'll also find out what else motors can do besides drive mechanical loads. Why do some motors have brushes and commutators while others don't need them? Why are some motors inherently not self-starting and what do motor makers do to get them to start? What are slip rings? What is the function of a capacitor on a single phase motor? What's meant by repulsion-induction? What kind of a motor would you use in a small siren? A big siren? Find out all of this and more as we look at the electric motors of the steam whistle era.
  3. New Contest. The “What the Heck Is It?” Contest in # 117 was not too bad! Even the one in # 118 should not be too difficult, but the one planned for #119 is going to be a lot more difficult. Count on it! We'll keep you guessing and wondering this time, definitely!
  4. What's the Horn Doctor up to now? As always, it's an interesting project, as these next two articles demonstrate as Ken Kanne performs repairs that practically border on magic and miracles.
  5. Attention Whistle Builders. Here we once again have some more diagrams that show you how steam whistles are made, what the chamber dimensions of some chime whistles are, and other critical info.
  6. Restoring Kilgen Classic #4007. Finally, after announcing this article for several issues, it's ready. What's this all about? "I never heard of the name Kilgen," you say. Well, that's about to change. H&W publisher Eric Larson retired from a career at a utility power station as an instrument technician. Now we find him in a new field, still an instrument technician, but a totally different kind of instrument! Kilgen is the name of a company that manufactured pipe organs in St. Louis. Among Kilgen's output were some really fine, classy theater pipe organs. See what is involved as Eric restores a Kilgen theater pipe organ, serial # 4007. Curious for a sneak preview? Click here www.LakeviewCongregationalChurch.com and then click on the link button to the Kilgen Theater Pipe Organ pages.....

We also have another look at the Marketplace as well as many other interesting stories and features that relate to our Horn and Whistle hobby.

Here are some of the recent articles which have appeared in the last several issues of Horn & Whistle.

  • One hundred years of Turbine Technology. Horn & Whistle visited a utility power plant which contains both a very early GE vertical turbine and the latest, high pressure modern turbines. Also look at an interesting Corliss engine powered pump at the same facility. (H&W # 105)
  • The Fabulous Sanfilippo Collection. This private museum outside of Chicago holds steam engines, a steam locomotive, a fantastic collection of old phonographs, steam whistles, early electrical machinery, and the world's largest theater pipe organ. We take you there in a two-part article.
  • How Does a Railroad Air Horn Work? How do these relatively small signals manage to make so much noise? We look first at a generic air horn and then we examine the Nathan K Airchime in detail to see exactly what's inside and how it works.
  • Where it all Began. Here's a brief look at the mighty pipe organ. It was from the pipe organ that our horns and whistles were developed. Read about the original collection of horns and whistles and see how the industrial revolution influenced pipe organ design, just as the pipe organ influenced the industrial revolution by giving it the steam whistles and air horns that we love.
  • The Railroad Whistle's Companion. Learn about an interesting companion technology to the RR whistle. It was just as important if not even more important to the proper functioning of railroads as the train whistle. Some of the greatest mechanical engineering minds of the 19th century devoted their lives to this specialized technology. Read about it in Horn & Whistle issue #107.
  • Recently, Horn & Whistle discovered a Corliss Engine and the original fire-tube boilers still installed in a municipal water works pumping station. Read about this rare find in H&W # 104.
  • Restoring a Leslie SuperTyfon RR horn. HWEG member Mike Muha takes you through a step by-step restoration of the famous Leslie RR horns and also shows you how the unique Leslie diaphragm system works. (H&W # 102)
  • They still make Steam Whistles Today! Horn & Whistle visits the 100 year old factory of the Lunkenheimer Company in Cincinnati, OH. They are still making solid bronze steam whistles today and we'll show you how they do it in this wonderful manufacturing anachronism. And, you'll learn about the interesting market that still exists for steam (and compressed air) whistles.
  • How Sirens Work. This three part series shows you how the major siren types operate and what is inside to make all that noise.

We have many of the recent issues available as PDF files. Ask Us about our collections of past issues, all arranged as easy-to-use PDF files available on CDs. Or, get a one-year subscription to Horn & Whistle Magazine by ordering on-line and get a FREE CD with the last six issues on it. Read the entire previous 18 months' worth of Horn & Whistle. Just Click Here to find out more.

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