A boiler malfunction caused the cancellation of the York-area annual steam whistle concert in 2005.
But all is not lost. More on that in a moment.
New York Wire Co.'s boiler lost pressure right before the December 2005 show. Steam from the boiler, regulated with an unusual slide on the whistle, enables whistlemasters to play Christmas carols every year.
Some residents are going through withdrawal, but help is on the way. A CD titled "Factory Steam Whistle, New York Wire Co." is available at York's Borders Books.
The CD jacket claims the whistle plays the world's loudest music without amplification from a non-musical instrument. Its sounds can be heard as far away as 10-12 miles when the weather is right.
The CD, dedidated to longtime whistlemaster Marlin L. Ryan, contains Christmas standards: "Silent Night," "The First Noel," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Another historical note not found on the CD jacket: The whistle was used as part of the civilian defense alert system during World War II. In those days, any whistle that was loud and could play different notes -- such qualities were scarce in whistles of the day -- proved valuable in alerting the public.
The whistle returned in 2006. For photo and story, see whistle workers.
And, there's more... .
