A train horn sound identifier would be useful.

[pdkoester]

There are apps like Shazam, and even the search on Google Android phones, that can recognize songs and display information about them.
For train lovers, the thought of an app that can recognize different train horns could be a wonderfully useful tool.
I have not looked into seeing if this was already made and not going to research how to do it.
Was just passing the random idea out there. Perhaps someone interested with some time and skill may have some influence to creating one.
Could be AI powered or not, but since that technology is out there, why not?
Anyway, I see this could be a possibility since music recognition could be done.

 

[JCitron]

This is already done using various programs or apps. I've used music to sheet music software before and there are music identifiers that identify played chords and notes? Correlating these chords to train horns would be an interesting branch. Identifying a specific manufacturer may be an issue but that could be a table of possibilities to choose from.

 

[pdkoester]

This is already done using various programs or apps. I've used music to sheet music software before and there are music identifiers that identify played chords and notes? Correlating these chords to train horns would be an interesting branch. Identifying a specific manufacturer may be an issue but that could be a table of possibilities to choose from.

I just kind of figured it would be able to work. Some horns do have a distinctive sound, like the Nathan P3 for example.
There are Leslie and many others. For me, I don't know all the K3 or K5 variants, WABCO, Hancock, Wabtec, AirChime, Westinghouse, etc.
An app to identify by sound like a dedicated diehard railfan does, just all of them.

 

[JCitron]

The chords themselves are the easy part. It's the distinctive sound that is difficult. Each horn, whether it's an R-3 or K3LA, is actually made up of musical notes such as F-sharp, C-natural, G-sharp, etc., to produce the cacophonous sound.

What makes them distinct is the shape of the bell on the trumpet. WABCO for instance, may use a narrower bell than some other company.