Author Topic: QM2 Whistles (Read 6709 times)

Chris Frame · « **on:** Feb 15, 2009, 09:16 AM »

Note the "hissing" noise due to the air / steam that power these whistles - one, an original form RMS Queen Mary.

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 15, 2009, 11:47 AM »

Great wee video, and she sounds quite good there! In fact I'm sure she sounds fine when she's not got QE2 whistling back for comparison!

I'm under the impression that that's "fake" steam that you can see here ... and that the whistle is just powered by air... correct me if i'm wrong though, and I'll try to find which book I read that in! This also means that the whistles don't actually sound like they did on QM1... despite one being an original one and one an exact copy...

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 15, 2009, 01:19 PM »

Found where I read it - page 153 of John Maxtone Graham's awesome book -

Quote

Operated by steam on board the first Mary, the whistles would be sounded by compressed air on the second, although a token steam cloud would appear for nostalgic effect.

singlemalt · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 15, 2009, 01:33 PM »

I'll be sure to stand under it and check it out in April; no doubt in a geeky camera girl way

Although think Chris will get the opportunity sooner than I will......

Andy F · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 15, 2009, 01:47 PM »

Ali, if it's an impressive horn you're after (so to speak), then this is it! Head up to 13 Deck, stand on the small raised platform housing the radome and wait... You will not be disappointed I promise you!

Andrew W · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 21, 2009, 03:54 AM »

Quote from: Rob Lightbody on Feb 15, 2009, 01:19 PM

Found where I read it - page 153 of John Maxtone Graham's awesome book -

Quote
Operated by steam on board the first Mary, the whistles would be sounded by compressed air on the second, although a token steam cloud would appear for nostalgic effect.

That's a bit like a "fake coal" effect gas fire. What's the point ? I've always preferred the real thing ---- yes real combustion of solid fuels --- how very proletarian ? In other words I would not have bothered with the puff of steam.

Mauretania1907 · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 21, 2009, 07:33 AM »

That wheeze of steam makes her sound asthmatic.

richc1977 · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 21, 2009, 10:20 AM »

If you look on my Queen Mary website I have some video of her whistles being sounded. They are driven by compressed air in Long Beach but sound much better than the QM2.

If you go here:

http://maritime.elettra.co.uk/queenmary/

Click the "Watch Video Clips" button on the left.

Or you can click the links on this page: http://maritime.elettra.co.uk/queenmary/multimedia1.html

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 21, 2009, 02:51 PM »

Quote from: Andrew on Feb 21, 2009, 03:54 AM

That's a bit like a "fake coal" effect gas fire. What's the point ? I've always preferred the real thing ---- yes real combustion of solid fuels --- how very proletarian ? In other words I would not have bothered with the puff of steam.

I agree entirely - this sort of thing really annoys me. Good design never resorts to such retro-fakery.

I have another example from my "other life" - the original 1959 Mini was design at its purest - not styled whatsoever, its looks came from its function. The latest new Mini from BMW, however, includes a fake bonnet scoop which is only there to signify which model it is - every time I see it just makes me cringe. There are many aspects of QM2 that make me do the same... QV has its awful QE2 funnel and mast seemingly glued on top.

Chris Frame · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 22, 2009, 09:13 AM »

P&O Arcadia also has a "wannabe" QE2 style mast from her days as QV in waiting.

Nothing can compare to the original and the best.

Mauretania1907 · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 23, 2009, 06:50 AM »

Does Acadia still have a Qe2 type funnel?? Well, I shall have to go down with my camera when she heaves herself into Auckland - this year we get Aurora and Oriana (who has a faked 'canberra' type funnel which looks nothing like the original). What I wanted to say that if anyone gets on the site before 10pm local Auckland time, you will see the unsalubrious surrounding QM der G has been put in. Jellicoe Wharf - container terminal, all because she is too obese to be put into Prince's Wharf cruise terminal. Even at Jellicoe, she has to dock/undock at high tides. I wonder if her pods stick into the mud at low tides, possibly not, since it is dredged for huge box boats. (and she does look like one, all amongst the containers) Even Rhapsody of the Seas managed to squeeze into Prince's, so did Vicky Brown.

Twynkle · « **Reply #11 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 12:51 PM »

Found this and thought of you!

Kindlychap · « **Reply #12 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 03:18 PM »

Quote from: twynkle on Mar 12, 2009, 12:51 PM

Found this and thought of you!

That's not actually that bad......

Unless you remember QE2 in that setting....

Matthew

Twynkle · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 11, 2009, 03:29 PM »

With Ali and Mrs JSB aboard!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/3431755232/

To be honest - the whistle sounded much better in 'real life'!
(Don't think I'll try this out on flickr ever again!)

cos918 · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 17, 2009, 11:47 PM »

when I was at calshot I got this photo of QM2 blasting her horn . Not sure if that is steam or compressed air.

John

highlander0108 · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 18, 2009, 12:47 AM »

Quote from: cos918 on Sep 17, 2009, 11:47 PM

when I was at calshot I got this photo of QM2 blasting her horn . Not sure if that is steam or compressed air.

John

Unfortunately, this is a bit of theatrics on Cunard's part. The Tyfon horn is actually driven by compressed air with steam injected for effect. When in use on Queen Mary, they were steam driven. One horn was sent back to the manufacturer, rebuilt, and installed along with new horns on QM2. Here is a link to a better explanation of the horns. The starboard horn is the rebuilt Tyfon, which is the deeper, non IMO compliant horn. Newer ship cannot have a horn with low of a frequency. The port side horn is a new horn with an outer casing to match the Queen Mary horn.
http://www.hornwhistleboard.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2373&p=13075&hilit=qm2#p13075
Ken

waveydavey · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 31, 2009, 04:52 PM »

I hate to dissapoint but there is no steam on QM2 whistle.

All you get is compressed air but so much of it that the air condenses and looks like steam.

Breathe out on an icy day - its exactly the same.

rough crossing · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 28, 2009, 12:49 PM »

Quote from: WaveyDavey on Oct 31, 2009, 04:52 PM

I hate to dissapoint but there is no steam on QM2 whistle.

All you get is compressed air but so much of it that the air condenses and looks like steam.

Breathe out on an icy day - its exactly the same.

I hate to throw a spanner in the works but on the recent very rough Atlantic crossing, in contrast to others, there was absolutely no sign of any vapour when the whistles were sounded. I feel this tends to confirm what I've been told by various sources that steam was injected for cosmetic effect. For what ever reason, this has now stopped working.

highlander0108 · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 28, 2009, 02:05 PM »

Jim, if you were on that historical rough crossing, I'm sure we all would like to hear and see more about your experience. Welcome aboard as well!

Regarding the voice of QM2, she is sounding better than ever with the original Tyfon working at full volume now. There is definitely more air being used to drive the horn now and I don't think anyone will miss the theatrics. Here is a video illustrating trhe new sound. Friends who were on the UK trip noticed the difference too and commented on the lack of "steam".

junglejames · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 29, 2009, 02:22 PM »

to drive the horn now

You mean the whistle?

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Author Topic: QM2 Whistles (Read 6709 times)

richc1977

cos918

waveydavey

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