Best Amtrak K5LA Train Horns

Best Amtrak Train Horns
The Nathan K5LA is one of my favorite types of train horns. It was designed in cooperation with Amtrak in the mid 1970s to give their locomotive a more cheerful sound as passed on by. The horn plays a B major 6th chord with notes D sharp, F sharp, G sharp, B, and another D sharp one octave higher. Amtrak was one of the first railroads to use the K5LA and ever since 1976, it has been the air horn of choice for all Amtrak equipment. Let’s go through and listen to some of my favorite clips of Amtrak horns that I have recorded in recent years.
CoasterFan2105 is the home of all sorts of train and railroad related video content. Stop by every Friday at 9 AM Pacific time for an all new railroading adventure and be sure to check out all of my social media pages @coasterfan2105 for even more great railroad content. Thanks, and I'll see you down the line!

[@blueloud32]

6:00 The 10 seconds of half blast is insurmountable. Absolutely love it.

[@ACLTony]

Yes, the engineer 6:01 knows how to quill a horn!

[@turtle2247]

I replayed that part a good 6 times lol

[@MrCableOfficial]

actually it's 6:02

[@JERRYR708]

​@@MrCableOfficial 6:12 sounds Bewitched

[@BornToPun7541]

"K. 5. L. A., it's fun to listen to the K. 5. L. A........."

[@superbaddy4]

My Favorite Amtrak K5LA of all time is the present horn of P40DC #816. My Favorite featured in this video is that of P42DC #116. If any K5LAs are the absolute best, those would have to be the ones of the Tri-Rail Bombardier Cab Cars (along with those of GO Transit, which are now sadly extinct there). That special tuning truly puts them above virtually any other K5LAs (or any other horns in general for that matter).

[@Chqnces]

K5LAs are awesome!!

[@alexisvaldez1819]

Amtrak is one of the most trains in the United States of America!!

[@Servin24]

Excelente 😉👍🇦🇷

[@v12productions]

A great sounding horn and an engineer who knows how to use it - one of my favorite things about watching Amtrak.

[@kishascape]

K5LA is also a ham radio callsign.

[@ollieck3545]

hi V12 love you love you to coaster

[@LamborginiBugatti1745]

You KZbinr right?😮

[@polandball7482]

Hi v12 your videos are greate keep up with the good work 😊

[@510trackside5]

I wish you’d go through the “generations” of K5LA’s so all these silly gooses would stop calling then 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 45th Gen, etc. Great freaking video!

[@NotJeremy_]

What gen is the f40ph

[@amtrak706]

@@NotJeremy_ Big bore or wide font depending on build date

[@NotJeremy_]

@@amtrak706 which sounds best?

[@amtrak706]

@@NotJeremy_ I think they both sound good. Pretty much every K5LA variant prior to raised letter sounds really good and plays the advertised chord. My personal favorite are the brassy 90s square tag K5LAs as delivered on the P42s.

[@AirchimeLTDproductions174]

@@amtrak706 I love Squaretags too!

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

The 1st Gen K5LA has always been music to my ears. It's my favorite horn as well. It's got a very nice chord that is like none other, even the modern K5LA's don't sound elegant like the original variants. Nothing can compare to how a train with a 1st Gen in the distance fills the air with such a beautiful soothing sound. It reduces the tension and makes one feel free. Unfortunately you don't get that feeling with the more modern K5LA's.

[@BTB796]

Ikr

[@rnrailproductions5049]

1st gens don’t exist

[@michaelgatien4277]

as of 2020 what model does the Wolverine use?

[@TSClassicContentCreater]

1st off the generations of Nathan airchimes don't exist they are called narrow front k5las or rasied letter or square tag for k5hls they are called narrow front 2 piece 1l k5hl or 1 piece 1l or rasied letter k5hl

[@ACLTony]

@@rnrailproductions5049 Isn't the version that Chessie System, the split "K" on the SDP40f's and the version used on the F40PH's considered "1st Gen" K5LA's?

[@JointedRail2024]

That railroad crossing at 25:38 is your money maker man, you get so many good train meets there it’s crazy.

[@deniseahern8981]

And you can see that Crossing in some of this video intros

[@miloschulze3751]

That crossing is on Palm Street in San Diego and is at the Middletown station served by the San Diego Trolley

[@Handlesarestoopid]

I love the K5LA. I love the cheerful noise it makes is the train approaches and the somewhat spooky noise it makes as the train passes by on its journey. I'd love to see more videos like this Mike!

[@anthonypecoraro5472]

I would like to see a compilation of 7FDL-16 engines chugging. Example: when P42s depart from stations.

[@rgmrails]

Amtrak always has the most beautiful sounding horns! There always passing around here in Florida so we hear those amazing K5LA’s All the time!

[@Morbid_Railfan]

Heritage Unit 1943 yes sir.

[@Noodle_Train]

Heritage Unit 1943 yeah, same here in California. I live very near the Capital Corridor so I always hear it once in a while. It never gets old

[@ns_railfanner7299]

I subbed to you

[@retardedthomasthetank1059]

They really do! Your so lucky you get to hear them in real life.

[@daniel2gud]

Here in the orlando kissimmee area, true.

[@CSX500]

Unfortunate that most older K5LA's have been replaced, or sound flat. Really only a hand full left, 60, 171, 183, and 837 are some that come to mind

[@Thunderbolt1996Productions]

I've seen 837 in person. Search Amtrak with epic k5la blasts through Hastings, Iowa

[@AlexTrain5249]

204's another one.

[@therailthing610]

59, 199, 154 has an older K5LA now, 816, 81, 164, 167, 76 on a good day...

[@easternroutemainlinevideos6823]

@@therailthing610 10 is another good one

[@silverstatehighiron]

MassDotFan1062 Productions 61 has a nice one.

[@MegaSquadVincent]

Awesome K5LA horn catches with the train, I’m glad I enjoyed this, I’ve seen lots of amfleet 2 and 1 cars always, hope the weather is fine there, awesome video, nice catches, I wanted to know what the things are from the K5LA horn, thanks for the help, I love the dissolve switches, awesome, my uncle rides those trains, hope you have a safe day filming other K5LA horns, you make your vids awesome stand, 4:38 I know that train from your other video I watched, awesome catches. 4:55 I also know that train from another video from you by different trains you took, the video with the last train 822, your the best I could ever watch. all these trains from this video are from your videos I watched, I love the horns, nice work

[@Garlic227]

What beautiful sounds, wish we get more trains around.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Also, please do a Metrolink Train Talk. I have a almost complete script if you want to use it.

[@xaviertrktechnicianwarrior1972]

Why not also the other part of freight cars?

[@geraldlewis4569]

7:49 the best one

[@amtrak706]

I would love to hear the full audio from the scene at 5:22! That is one of the best sounding arrival/departures like that I have heard. You have the HEP humming, whoop compressor, FDL chugging, and perfect K5LA in there.

[@chrisluth4427]

That departure sent chills down my spine!!

[@amtrak706]

Chris Luth P42 symphony! Working on creating it in HO scale form.

[@RailfanAndy]

is 814 a p42 or a p40

[@amtrak706]

@@RailfanAndy P40. 800 series are P40DC, 1-207 series is P42DC, and 700-717 series is P32ACDM.

[@fiddlyphuk6414]

Yes- Excellent !

[@rainmusni50]

My one of my favorite part is in 7:48, i can say that this is wonderful to hear as the exhibit train passes by

[@GabeButBackwards]

Is it just me, or does this horn just *sound* like America?

[@amtrak706]

Gabe Strong Yeah. It goes perfectly with a massive shiny Superliner slowly gliding out of the station, with two hard chugging GEs up front. Sounds like adventure

[@unionpacificfan9456]

That’s one of my favorite horns too. I really love the Nathan K5LLA on most SD70ACe’s

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

Same

[@ROTE]

K5LA is my favorite horn

[@MegaSquadVincent]

Amtrak NJ transit SEPTA productions same with me

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

It's a really good horn it sounds good it's so nice that every passenger train in America uses it

[@TheAustinSubRailfan]

Fantastic video! And some beautiful narrow font K5LA’s! My favorites were definitely 0:10, 1:56, 2:35, 2:50, 3:10, 4:26, 4:57, 5:30, 6:16, 7:06, 7:30, 9:22, 10:49, 11:54, 12:39 13:47, 14:06, 16:38, 17:04, 17:58, 18:49, 19:08, 19:26, 20:17, 21:56, 23:03, 23:37, 25:33, 26:48, 27:12, 29:03, 29:18, 30:11, 31:48, 33:55, 34:19, 35:12, 36:24, and 37:23. I’m definitely a 90s K5LA guy. I think the horns from that era just sounded the best.

[@lennysvideoz]

K5LA is truly great on lirr, mnr, and amtrak... but on new jersey transit... that is a whole different story.

[@graphtonix6607]

The F40PH was the very first locomotive to have the K5LA horns right???

[@amtrak7422]

Yea I think so

[@amtrak706]

Anthony Taylor Network An order of Chessie GP40-2s actually ended up getting that honor. I think they were built a month or so before the first F40s in early 1975.

[@graphtonix6607]

@@amtrak706 OK cool.

[@danacaldwell5988]

The f40's started the chain of the k5la symphony

[@danacaldwell5988]

also 10:01 I heard in your amtrak american video before and others

[@michaelglass4701]

Dana Caldwell , yes they did

[@pennsy6000]

From 7:48 to 8:35, total ear-gasum!

[@MetxsightseerRailfan]

No dislikes Just the way coasterfan2105 wants it

[@ROTE]

Well sadly it now has 6 dislikes

[@JuanManuelGrijalvo]

@@ROTE Dunno why the idiots bother to listen at all. For the sake of public safety, Quiet, American, and Train are three words you will never find in the same sentence. In Europe there are some diesels about as quiet as the average Japanese car. Of course, real railfans abhor this.

[@FPHFan]

1:35 LOL The camera shakes when the train goes by LOL

[@LoowitRail]

yeah lol that always happens when you’re right next to a rail joint

[@gottaruntrainsfan2013]

And it looks like the earthquake effect.

[@TrashBulldogProductions]

The hurt your ears up close yet it still is the most gorgeous sound ever heard. I always get chills the moment I hear a thundering K5 approaching all the way till it passes, doppler effect also takes it to a new level. (As long as they aren't fouled). Their P32-8BWH (Dash 8) have the best 90's K5LA's in my opinion.

[@United1158]

The dash 8 k5las are amazing

[@TransitUSA]

I love the sound of the K5LA.

[@CoasterFan2105]

So do I!

[@k5elevencinc0]

6:02 - 6:12 Always loved when they play a few notes at a time then all of them at once in a full blast at the end. 🔥🔥

[@thealmightydoge5653]

That sequence is called the quill of the horn. Hold the little parts and then fully blast. Truly a sound to behold and praise!

[@WarriorMike20]

@@thealmightydoge5653 it's so amazing. Makes me tear up. 😢

[@baritone777]

What's interesting to me is that the only time we actually hear a Bmaj6 chord is for the stationary shots (one at 5:55). The Doppler effect shifts the pitch to C or C-sharp for approaching trains and then immediately to about B-flat as the train passes the camera.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Love the horn on these Amtrak locomotives. And great video too.

[@froztytrainfilms9148]

I like hybrid K5LA’s, but these K5LA clips sound really nice

[@turbochargedtransit7241]

same here, especially the ones with a straight 4 instead of a 4A

[@WilliamSpitzer]

Would you do a short 5 min video on history of passenger rail in USA ending with the formation of AMTRAK?

[@Mnrr6131]

The K5LA can also be be found on Amtrak’s and Metro norths P32AC-DM and others. I’m sorry but MNRR K5LAs sound better.

[@erikgustafson1410]

Not really.

[@coppercruz3605]

Amazing Compilation:) Love the K5LA's music to my ears.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Which Amtrak locomotive has the most beautiful K5LA horn

[@larryagbezuge55]

...EMD-built F40PHs and AEM7s do-- now, did. Note common C-Major-6 or C#-Major-6-- not the B-Major-6 chords intended by the manufacturers-- sounded by most of them, which are at least as excellent as the 'default' chord sounding intended by the manufacturer.

[@edwardhudson5505]

I'll go with 837.

[@CSX500]

822 was probably the best we had until it got a 3rd gen

[@amtrak706]

All the heritage units were pretty epic in 2011-2012. I used to really like 822 and 184

[@TheAustinSubRailfan]

Ngl The Genesis (P42DC’s) have some of the most beautiful K5LA’s out there definitely better than those F40PH 80’s Big Bore K5LA’s! in my opinion. I’m definitely gonna miss the Genesis Locomotives when they’re gone. “No charger K5LA will ever be better than a P42 K5LA”. 37:22 was my favorite horn. that early morning song is so beautiful it’s so majestic but erie at the same time especially with the Doppler effect, music to my ears it makes me feel happy! That’s something Raised Letter K5LA’s will never have they just don’t have that same sweet, majestic, mesmerizing sound as the Narrow Font Horns Especially the ones in the cold weather they sound even better!! And I can see u caught 61 in surprised she was the last one on the list! I see that P42 all the time now on the Texas Eagle 21 and 22 where I live Great Horn not to mention as well!!

[@RXMattCARailfan]

Great Video and Catches!

[@FamilyGuyandWonderGarbo8448]

I love Amtrak K5LA In America and this is Fantastic Happy Easter Mike

[@timothyellsworthpsyd3933]

The K5LA is my most favorite horn that trains have.It’s so amazing and majestic and I wish I could hear it in person.This is the best video ever, thanks for sharing this!

[@deandanielson8074]

Hi Mike, love those horns -- and the wonderful video shots. Thanks. Much appreciated. - Dean from Minnesota

[@csxmaniac212]

I agree with you. Amtrak has nice K5la's. I really miss the Pacific Surfliner F59PHI's. I'm pretty sure Los Angeles Trains have changed alot in the past 4 years (Passenger and Freight). Can you do a video on BNSF trains on the ATSF Chicago to Los Angeles mainline including Amarillo? Do you have a video on Los Angeles trains?

[@keyshawnscott12]

7:48 best part

[@alandvaemergencyresponses2883]

7:49 we can agree this is awesome

[@BakaryRoleplayGaming]

2:58 Amtrak P42DC #35 Locomotive Roblox Video Game Horn. I found it. That same K5LA horn blast is in Roblox.

[@gottaruntrainsfan2013]

In What game???

[@AmtrakFunkandDiscoFan]

Amtrak has the best train horns in America, and it’s my all-time favorite train.

[@fluxthelycanroc9603]

While amtrak has quite a good mount of k5las im seeing (and hearing) alot of good norfolk sothern and csx units with them that sound just as good or even better sometimes. Almsot brings a tear to the eye how good they sound

[@larryagbezuge55]

The K5LA air-horns were especially standard, sometimes to 'highly irritating' extents (typically in 1979--1992-vintage Delaware County, PA, among other places) on Chessie System-bequeathed CSX locomotives. Most other CSX engines retain them, too, ... as do other power coaches (which often also qualify as subcompact locomotives contained in the coaches) which are worthy of mention although they aren't Amtrak equipment: SEPTA's Hyundai Rotem--USA Division-built Silverliner Vs, which, ironically, also use the Trenton-to-Philadelphia and Philadelphia-to-Wilmington(-and-Newark,DE) segments of the respective, ex-PRR New York and Maryland+Washington, DC Divisions of the Northeast Corridor.

[@AltonRouteRailfan]

25:10 awsome k5la

[@billypowell8082]

I did not know that about Amtrak's air horns. They do have a brighter, cheerful resonance than freight horns, which tend to scream obnoxiously.

[@AlexTrain5249]

That squeal is a fouled #5 bell that needs repairs.

[@Jacob_Dwyer]

Hi Mike- what was the trainset @ 8:05? The cars said "display car" on the side and there were several, with a sleeper at the end. Also super clean! And was that San Diego? -Magnus, age 4, Seattle

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

That's the Amtrak exhibit train

[@citxsd70m-2]

Yes that was San Diego.

[@williamkesler2373]

27:05 what’s a sightseer lounge doing on a Surfliner train?

[@michaelglass4701]

William Kesler , that is strange 🤔

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Amazing, sadly I haven’t been able to railfan lately

[@amtrak7422]

That's because of COVID-19

[@michaelglass4701]

Mbta 1034 Productions , ride the Lake Shore Limited, i rode the Lake Shore Limited going to NYC it was a beautiful journey. i live in Chicago

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Dude I would but I’m only 14 and am not allowed to go without a adult

[@tyhik9338]

Same

[@thealmightydoge5653]

Me either. I rail fanned once during COVID, my dad said he might take me in November. And I'm only 13

[@froztytrainfilms9148]

32:20 I remember when I visited California in 2016, we had rented a hotel right outside the station, and I’d always watch the trains on the balcony. I think it was the Hyatt hotel, but it overlooked the station, and I could get many videos of the trains from up there. Sadly, I don’t know what happened to those videos that I had, but it was fun going to San Francisco too

[@CabCar256Videos]

6:50 the best horn in the 2012 a year of trains in review

[@TrainGuru]

Loved it! Although I have a question; how do you get the tripod to not shake when the train roars by?

[@nathantzhang]

i liked the part where the train blew its horn

[@bomberking401bomber6]

Could we see more UP and norfolk bnsf and things?

[@brianh8320]

It's too bad I have hypersensitive hearing which makes it painful to hear without hearing protection.

[@SJSharkMaster]

Just what I wanted for shelter in place. Just to hear those amazing horns of Amtrak. Thank you Mike!

[@CoasterFan2105]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@stormchicagoeasguyyil2543]

I LOVE AMTRAK, 😃THEY ARE SO AMAZING!!

[@michaelglass4701]

ihaveGamerTeslaHusky BlueeyeenAmtrakfan 2020 , yes I'm a Model Railroder and I Have both HO &N Scale of Amtrak trains 👍🛤️

[@stormchicagoeasguyyil2543]

Nice 😃👍

[@IowaGrandpaTrain]

I've been looking for a good K5LA recording to use as my cellphone ring tone. Best if there aren't crossing bells ringing in the background. Anyone have an idea where I could find one? Also, one of the beauties of the K5LA is the many Amtrak engineers who know how to "trill" the horn.

[@fattanmuntazarsetyadi804]

Amtrak is my favorite train in my brain so i love NS and BNSF

[@MegaSquadVincent]

Um do you mean also I love NS and BNSF? but I am the same from your comment

[@ceridyan2910]

Nice sounds of those train horns..

[@romash877]

This is GREAT for Watching or just listening! Music to my ears!

[@destroyergaming637]

I’ve seen Amtrak’s on bridges and normal RR tracks but Never rode on one

[@michaelglass4701]

DestroyerGaming , i love Amtrak my favorite trains is the Southwest Chief and the California Zephyr 😊

[@destroyergaming637]

But I live on The Mid-East coast

[@BenAtPlay18]

Cool shot of Lowell in the beginning. I typically shoot from the other side. I too love these horns though the K5HLLA(Or whatever they put on the ACe's) tends to suit my liking better.

[@daniel2gud]

Ok

[@AcelaRailan2150]

I agree K5LA is my favorite as well Mike! Great video keep up the good work!

[@ns_railfanner7299]

The K5LA horns are nice but it would sound a little more mitalic

[@kevp9601]

Best Train Horns Ever! :-D

[@ericd.beckhamsr.2305]

I call the K5LA Train Horn... The Happy Horn!!!

[@NOVIDEOS67895]

Cool

[@danielboone3770]

I just saw a Santa Fe observation car on one of the trains! I love it!

[@graphtonix6607]

Or was the P30CH the first locomotive to have the K5LA horns???

[@superbaddy4]

The P30CH came before the F40PH, but the P30CHs didn't have K5LAs until very late in their lives, long after the F40PHs first appeared.

[@graphtonix6607]

@@superbaddy4 OK cool. Thank you for letting me know.

[@2copy3copy4cpoy]

what are your thoughts on the paintjob of the Cascades Chargers? I like the engines themselves but the paint scheme just isn't as pretty as the F59s' were.

[@LoowitRail]

I like the Charger scheme more because it’s more unique. The F59PHi scheme just used the Surfliner scheme with different colors.

[@strikesolo1771]

I have a question Why Do K5LAs sounds better on F59 Locos? Like Metrolinks F59's and Amtraks Old F59PHI's?

[@superbaddy4]

Because of their position. They're mounted right behind the exhaust stack, which then stuffs it and creates that sound. Tuning could also be a factor, though.

[@TrashBulldogProductions]

I was told that the F59PH engines have an over pressured air supply system which leads to them sounding more brash and metallic. I do have to say I enjoy this sound though, makes them sound rough.

[@superbaddy4]

I agree. It gives them that certain, tough characterization that makes them special.

[@strikesolo1771]

This is why we all love the K5LA's :D

[@ROTE]

Awesome video! And first comment!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks for watching!

[@thealmightydoge5653]

23:03 That sound made my day!!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

It's very nice to listen 40 minutes worth of beautiful K5LA horns. Thank you so much for the video. Can you do a train horn video on the P3 and P5 horns? They can be from any railroad. Also, can I suggest you do a video of trains around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the future?

[@amtrak7422]

My favorite parts are 1:56, 20:42, and 27:56, featuring 74, 837, and 76. You should do a video about the new ACE Charger locomotives

[@meeperfive]

objection!! where are the east coast K5LAs!?!?

[@LoowitRail]

gone, reduced to atoms

[@larryagbezuge55]

'CoasterFan2105' was missing a Northeast- based contributor or set of contributors; small wonder why there is limited Midwestern or South-Central (think AR'n., AL'n., or MS, TN, TX, OK, LA, and even KS-based) footage and NO Northeastern footage which features ex-F40PH or ex-P32-8BWH NPCUs, ACS64s, or-- critically-- AEM7s at all!

[@manuelveiga311]

5:04 11 RURAL SERVICIO PIAS 1734 GSR

[@YellowNoseProductions]

14:00 Where is that signal located?

[@princesskittysnummies3951]

Man these are some great horns I love the sound of them

[@DJ-kq4pz]

I love these KLA5 horns. I use to listen out this horn sound back in my days and I knew it was an amtrak train coming. I also like the horn sound after the train passes a crossing to the next crossing especially when it's very cold outside. I can listen to it all day and won't get tired of it.

[@tractorsmachinesro1405]

True like from Romania...Great video

[@ScottsRailroadVideos]

great video Coaster! Maybe next up ''Best Leslie Rs5T train horns'' :)

[@STUAA2024]

I noticed that one of the engines on camera look like they still haven't painted their engine into Phase 6 paint.

[@flattrain5834]

Does anybody know what kind of k5las the Amtrak cabcars have?

[@ns_railfanner7299]

+ I like the train horn on coasters to

[@RailfanDaniel]

K5LA's are great horns. Amtrak has done a fairly underwhelming job at presenting them most of this century though. Being restricted and stuffed behind a wall certainly doesn't help. You have plenty of older Coaster clips to prove how amazing K5LA's can sound unrestricted without hood obstructions in the way.

[@djtrainman2]

The first two are in portland Oregon were I live in

[@Cal90208]

When I was on the 11 a few years back, the exact private car at 4:14 was on my train. This wasn't my train, FYI, mine had a dash-8 as the second unit.

[@Zanes_World145]

KLASKY CSUPO 2001 EFFECTS

[@ferryguy2]

I saw the same train in Edmonds, Washington 0:30

[@jenniferdenogean5165]

Can you do a train talk about steam whistles?

[@rms492]

Wonderful video, not only great Amtrak horns, you got some great crossing bells sounds also! How about a "different types of crossing bells" video?