The Ford Barn

mleder · 04-09-2026, 11:20 PM

I came into a couple of small steam whistles and don't have steam power. Although steam is more dense than compressed air would anyone have an idea as to what compressed air psi might approximate what a typical steam system that has a whistle with it. I'd like to test the whistles and find out what they could sound like and would compressed air greatly alter the tone? Thanks for considering this question

nkaminar · 04-10-2026, 05:45 AM

Steam locomotives run about 150 psi.

springerpete · 04-10-2026, 06:34 AM

You will not do any harm using air on a steam whistle. The higher the pressure the more sound within reason. Be sure whistle is clean inside- no grit. I'd start at 100 psi and go up till you are pleased. Most locomotives at the end of their era worked at 200-300 psi. The key is having enough volume of air thru the whistle. The whistle pipe size will show you that. Good luck. Bill

Joe K · 04-10-2026, 07:16 AM

You might get "better sound" at somewhat less pressure. My experience with "air whistles" has been that there is a point that the whistle "overloads" on air and chokes on its own output.

Varying the "opening" can give you something else to play with.

Dunno. Its something you'll have to play around with.

My friends and former volunteer effort come to mind...

https://newsm.org/

Along with nearly falling over the edge of the roof removing a set of three "factory whistles" from a local factory slated for conversion to apartments.

I was young and stupid once. Now not so young.

Joe K

Seth Swoboda · 04-10-2026, 09:22 AM

Considering most steam locomotives operated at near 200 psi, and most air compressors shut off at 120 psi, you might not get the full sound from the whistle. That high, lonesome sound. As mentioned you will need a volume of air also.

I have always wanted to try this. Give it a shot and report back to us with a video please.

joncrane · 04-10-2026, 09:38 AM

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I run a couple of steam whistles with 80psi and they are plenty load for me...always wear ear protection when operating them. jon

Bigsnapper43 · 04-11-2026, 08:05 PM

My neighbors dad was a steam locomotive mechanic in the 40's and early 50's. When he retired he brought a unit to the farm. The air compressor would not even make a grunt. The other neighbor had a air over hydraulic post lift. Bingo old 97 came to life on the exhaust of the lift. Volume was the answer.

David R. · 04-11-2026, 08:15 PM

Air volume. I help a friend do blacksmith demonstrations at a local festival. He has an old oxygen tank and a little pancake compressor. His steam whistle will give several loud blasts before the compressor has to catch up.

old ugly · 04-12-2026, 08:51 PM

i had one in the shop, just recently sold it.
the steam whistle will scream like heck on compressed air. you may have to play with it a bit to get it tuned. and it may drain down your compressor quick.
like said above BEFORE you pull the lever put on your ear goggles. it will be loud.

04-09-2026, 11:20 PM	#1
mleder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 205	Not Model A but steam whistle question I came into a couple of small steam whistles and don't have steam power. Although steam is more dense than compressed air would anyone have an idea as to what compressed air psi might approximate what a typical steam system that has a whistle with it. I'd like to test the whistles and find out what they could sound like and would compressed air greatly alter the tone? Thanks for considering this question

04-10-2026, 05:45 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,855	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question Steam locomotives run about 150 psi. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

04-10-2026, 06:34 AM	#3
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 696	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question You will not do any harm using air on a steam whistle. The higher the pressure the more sound within reason. Be sure whistle is clean inside- no grit. I'd start at 100 psi and go up till you are pleased. Most locomotives at the end of their era worked at 200-300 psi. The key is having enough volume of air thru the whistle. The whistle pipe size will show you that. Good luck. Bill

04-10-2026, 07:16 AM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,017	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question You might get "better sound" at somewhat less pressure. My experience with "air whistles" has been that there is a point that the whistle "overloads" on air and chokes on its own output. Varying the "opening" can give you something else to play with. Dunno. Its something you'll have to play around with. My friends and former volunteer effort come to mind... https://newsm.org/ Along with nearly falling over the edge of the roof removing a set of three "factory whistles" from a local factory slated for conversion to apartments. I was young and stupid once. Now not so young. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 04-10-2026 at 07:26 AM.

04-10-2026, 09:22 AM	#5
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,213	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question Considering most steam locomotives operated at near 200 psi, and most air compressors shut off at 120 psi, you might not get the full sound from the whistle. That high, lonesome sound. As mentioned you will need a volume of air also. I have always wanted to try this. Give it a shot and report back to us with a video please.

04-10-2026, 09:38 AM	#6
joncrane Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: rochester Michigan Posts: 91	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I run a couple of steam whistles with 80psi and they are plenty load for me...always wear ear protection when operating them. jon

04-11-2026, 08:05 PM	#7
Bigsnapper43 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 210	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question My neighbors dad was a steam locomotive mechanic in the 40's and early 50's. When he retired he brought a unit to the farm. The air compressor would not even make a grunt. The other neighbor had a air over hydraulic post lift. Bingo old 97 came to life on the exhaust of the lift. Volume was the answer.

04-11-2026, 08:15 PM	#8
David R. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: West Virginia Posts: 455	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question Air volume. I help a friend do blacksmith demonstrations at a local festival. He has an old oxygen tank and a little pancake compressor. His steam whistle will give several loud blasts before the compressor has to catch up.

04-12-2026, 08:51 PM	#9
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 871	Re: Not Model A but steam whistle question i had one in the shop, just recently sold it. the steam whistle will scream like heck on compressed air. you may have to play with it a bit to get it tuned. and it may drain down your compressor quick. like said above BEFORE you pull the lever put on your ear goggles. it will be loud. __________________ old ugly my mom would have told me. "these things are here to test us"