German Electric Train Starts Singing: Is It True?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the claim that a German electric train produces musical sounds as it powers up. Participants explore the plausibility of this phenomenon, referencing similar occurrences in other electric systems and expressing varying degrees of belief in the authenticity of the sounds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find the idea charming and plausible, noting that electronic controls can produce sounds similar to music as a function of speed.
  • One participant mentions that electric model aircraft speed controllers can emit tones to indicate features, suggesting a possible mechanism for the train's sounds.
  • A participant recalls that Montreal subways used to play a sequence of notes upon starting, supporting the idea that electric trains can produce musical sounds.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism, observing that the notes from the train appear monotonic and speculating about the possibility of an augmented acoustic system or layered soundtracks.
  • Concerns are raised about the timing required for multiple trains to create harmonious music, referencing a specific video as an example.
  • A humorous mention of singing Tesla coils is introduced, indicating a broader interest in unusual sound-producing technologies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of belief and skepticism regarding the authenticity of the musical sounds produced by the train. No consensus is reached, with some supporting the idea while others remain unconvinced.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and observations, but there are unresolved questions about the mechanisms behind the sounds and the authenticity of the recordings.

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Possibly.

Some electric model aircraft speed controllers play tones/ beeps by vibrating the armature to indicate the state of programmable features.
 
:smile: Yes indeed charming. And with electronic controls, very believable.

Changing the frequency of firing rates as a function of speed is like shifting gears in a transmission.

I imagine that an alien from a world with only electric drives would be charmed by the sounds of a Harley accelerating. :wink:
 
DaveC426913 said:
Is it true?

Montreal subways play a pleasant four note sequence on starting. Well, in mid 80's they did. Sigh, seems like only yesterday.
Of course they're way smaller machines.

So yes i believe it's real...
 
I'm still not convinced. I've watched several other videos of the train, and although the notes do change, they are all monotonic. Either someone has "layered" the sound track in a clever way, or someone has added an acoustic system to augment the trains natural tones. In either case, I think it is a pleasant effect, and if not real, it should be added to all electric commuter trains.

Our local e-commuter train used to routinely run over people when it first went into service.
It's name quickly evolved from MAX(Metro Area eXpress) to Mad Max.

Actually, listening to the following, I just realized that if two trains were leaving at once, it might create the same effect. But I think the timing would have to be perfect to get them to make harmonious music, as in Dave's video.


Eisenbahn Musik - Taurus Tonleiter - Musical Train Engines
Published on Jun 18, 2013
Taurus Tonleiter - Lokomotive macht Musik
E-Lok Baureihe 182 der DB
ÖBB BR 1016 1116
Siemens ES64U2 - Elektrolokomotive Abfahrt
Musical Train Engines - Electric Locomotive
Sound noises
Zuggeräusche Eisenbahn Taurus

ps. If anyone is really bored, you can watch the following.
14 ½ minutes of listening to LOTS of these trains leave the station.



I could only make it through the first 3 minutes.
 
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I thought i'd seen it all...
Singing Tesla Coils ?

 
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