German Electric Train Starts Singing: Is It True?

[DaveC426913]

This is adorable*. Is it true?
http://digg.com/video/german-electric-train-start-music

*if an electric train inadvertently does this as it's powering up

 

[CWatters]

Possibly.

Some electric model aircraft speed controllers play tones/ beeps by vibrating the armature to indicate the state of programmable features.

 

[anorlunda]

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.

 

[jim hardy]

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...

 

[OmCheeto]

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.

 

[jim hardy]

I thought i'd seen it all...
Singing Tesla Coils ?