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

[@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 😊

[@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

[@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.

[@danielpyxlcool1294]

Here in the orlando kissimmee area, true.

[@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?

[@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!

[@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

[@unionpacificfan9456]

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

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

Same

[@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!

[@anthonypecoraro5472]

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

[@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

[@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. 😢

[@Garlic227]

What beautiful sounds, wish we get more trains around.

[@AmtrakFunkandDiscoFan]

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

[@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

[@lennysvideoz]

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

[@TransitUSA]

I love the sound of the K5LA.

[@CoasterFan2105]

So do I!

[@geraldlewis4569]

7:49 the best one

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@nathancorcoran5347]

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

[@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

[@alexpaumen3937]

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.

[@alandvaemergencyresponses2883]

7:49 we can agree this is awesome

[@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 !

[@coppercruz3605]

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

[@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 😃👍

[@burleyant274]

These Amtrak trains have all the great orchestras of horns and sounds and its the massive train sound test masterpiece 🥲😄 Bravooooo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Bravoooooo 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Trains: Choooo - Chooooooo 🎶🎵🎶

[@user-xy1lp8jx2h]

I love the sound that the K5LA makes. It is one of my favorite horns. The first time I heard one was back in 1978 on the Amtrak train National Limited and also on some Chelsie system diesels.

[@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

[@pennsy6000]

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

[@christinalevasseur2561]

12:53 Loud trains reference, I love it!

[@FamilyGuyandWonderGarbo8448]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@keyshawnscott12]

7:48 best part

[@danielboone3770]

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

[@deandanielson8074]

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

[@RXMattCARailfan]

Great Video and Catches!

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@princesskittysnummies3951]

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

[@BornToPun7541]

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

[@thealmightydoge5653]

23:03 That sound made my day!!

[@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?

[@hainescityrailfan9983]

The queen of horns and the beautiful sound of the Nathan Airchime K5LA

[@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.

[@alexpaumen3937]

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

[@AcelaRailan2150]

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

[@alexisvaldez1819]

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

[@danielboone3770]

Wow! K5LA horns! That's amazing! I love the K5LA horns too!

[@darrinmckinley9795]

I love the sound of that train horn in the morning in Braddock in the Pittsburgh area. LOL!!☝️😀

[@samuelmears7660]

Thank you so much for talking about the musical chord and notes!

[@romash877]

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

[@ceridyan2910]

Nice sounds of those train horns..

[@gottaruntrainsfan2013]

I love K5la train horns!

[@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.

[@Chqnces]

K5LAs are awesome!!

[@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.

[@danielpyxlcool1294]

Ok

[@ethanmitchell6687]

Man my experience on Amtrak was amazing

[@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

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I love the K5LA horn!

[@dylbeentheplotagonistandra2811]

Beautiful 🤩 the Nathan K5LA is my favorite train horn

[@alexisvaldez1819]

Amtrak, BNSF Metrolink, and Coaster have some great horns and favorite trains to see everyday.

[@robertmoir-vj1kq]

Nathan K5la the queen of all train horns

[@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.

[@gatortrainchaser2080]

Great horn compilation Mike!

[@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).

[@easternroutemainlinevideos6823]

Solid intro good sir. The 2052 and the 90340 are my personal favorites.

[@Fatal_Inertia]

Sounds the best in downtown San Diego because of the sweet reverberation. Lucky to have grown up there hearing the Coasters and Surfliners.

[@kevp9601]

Best Train Horns Ever! :-D

[@WilliamSpitzer]

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

[@donaldjobson6799]

Great job as always Mike

[@roswatteamplays8241]

Thx coaster love it!

[@CRtrain]

Nice compilation. I'm going to play these chords on the piano today and make a mix of some sort. Thanks!

[@nratchr]

Thanks, Mike!

[@andrewdias478]

Love seeing those Dash 8's!

[@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!!

[@stevengonzales6140]

Cool 😎 video Mike I love the best horn ever I like the Amtrak train my favorite train locomotive roster is Amtrakf59phi p42 89 good job for all the years you awesome cool man great job 🇺🇲👋👋👋👋😎

[@Rndmstff737]

This brings me back to when the P42s roamed the Midwest The best times of my life

[@valentinajalsicivancic6263]

7:49 is one of mine fav amtrak trains . I like how it sounds!

[@valentinajalsicivancic6263]

7:49 that is from passenger train galore

[@Zackman217]

Great video. Hope you’ll do a favorite Union Pacific horn video in the future.

[@shorelinerailproductions]

I love K5LA’s

[@flyingsalmon9096]

this is a vibe

[@ryansrailfanningproduction9267]

Epic!

[@DINESHGADA]

Lovely honking

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I love K5LAs too

[@conceyullena]

Very nice video! Greetings from Spain 🚂👍🙋‍♂️

[@ScottsRailroadVideos]

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

[@professionaldisappointment3111]

My favourite K5LA´s are those used on the acela express and HHP-8s just nothing can beat the doppler on those!

[@physetermacrocephalus9986]

Those are K5LA Hybrids. One note is different.

[@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?

[@tractorsmachinesro1405]

True like from Romania...Great video

[@amtrakempirerailfan5715]

Awesome Video!!

[@mbtarailfanner63]

Congrats on 700k! That’s something I will never achieve lol

[@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

[@brianfalzon6739]

K5LAs are the most beautiful horns that you can also actually find them and look them up online. They are definitely treasure!

[@AdaCountyRailfan]

The Surfliner cab car horns will always be my favorite