Subway Sounds

[Robert Bosco]

Why do the R142's, 143's, and 160's make that noise when they pull in and out of stations? If you've ridden either of the models, you know what noise I'm talking about.

[trainfan22]

Its the popsuiton motors

 

Like for exmaple the R142,R160A and the R160B both have atstom onix popsuion

And some R160B have siemens popusion 8852 and up i belive correct me if im wrong

R142A and the R143 have Adtrainz popusion.

[Harry]

Ok, this question has been asked many times. We always get the same answer. "It's because of the propulsion package".

 

What we need to ask ourselves is; what is it in the propulsion package (which ever it may be) that makes the whine sound?

 

Let's try to get the answer to that one.

[R32 3348]

Old technology trains use DC propulsion packages, new tech trains use AC propulsion packages which causes the different, and at times, more melodic sound.

 

R142, R160A and R160B (8713-8852) cars all have Alstom ONIX AC Propulsion which is the tri-tone.

R142A and R143 cars have AdTranz AC Propulsion which some people say is the "iEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" sound.

R160B cars 8853-8972 all have Siemens AS Propulsion, which sounds similar to AdTranz if you think about it, but cooler IMO.

[error46146]

the siemens is like 100 times cooler than the other one

[Phil D.]

Ok, this question has been asked many times. We always get the same answer. "It's because of the propulsion package".

 

What we need to ask ourselves is; what is it in the propulsion package (which ever it may be) that makes the whine sound?

 

Let's try to get the answer to that one.

Well Harry, its just how the motors sound when everything in the motor starts spinning from the electric current, and that humming you hear when the 160s take off is the trains transmission spinning up. Just like V4, V6, and V8 motors all sound different. The V8s however sound the best because you got the most cylinders and if you got dual exhaust you get even better sound because the engine is able to breathe better and instead of just 1 exhaust pipe for all 8 cylinders you got 2 pipes for 4 and 4 which = 8. And you can get even better sound by what brand of exhaust your putting on that car. (Flowmaster FTW)