Real Train Horn Power, Built for the Street
If you’re shopping for a real five-chime train horn, you’re already in the top tier. And once you get to this level, there are two serious options that stand above everything else: the King 5 Train Horn and the Nathan Airchime K5.
These are not budget horns. They are full-size, five-chime monsters that sound like what you’d hear at a railroad crossing. Both deliver that deep, powerful tone people expect from real locomotives, and both are incredibly loud. You’re not choosing between good and better. You’re choosing between two different versions of excellent.
The Nathan Airchime K5 is a legend. It’s the original train horn used on real locomotives across North America. The Nathan Airchime horns we sell are pulled from retired locomotives and put through a full reconditioning process to restore them to spec. It’s the real deal, with real rail history behind every bell.
The King 5 is a brand new horn. It is a die-cast aluminum and machined horn that delivers a similar five-chime tone. But it comes without the wear. No restoration. No mileage. Just fresh, clean performance out of the box. And because of that, some customers notice that the King 5 can even sound sharper and more aggressive than a reconditioned K5.
So what matters more to you: railroad history or brand new hardware? That’s what this decision comes down to.
What’s the Loudest Train Horn
This is the question we hear the most. Everyone wants to know what the loudest horn is. And if you’re looking for an easy answer, here it is. The King 5 Train Horn and the Nathan Airchime K5 are the two loudest train horns you can buy.
Years ago, we had our most popular horns tested by a third party. The K5LA took the number one spot. It was louder at close range and even more impressive at a hundred meters. That test cemented its place at the top. But since then, the King 5 entered the lineup and it hits just as hard.
Both horns are cast from die-cast aluminum. Both are machined to exact specs. Both push serious air and deliver an unmistakable five chime chord that’s felt as much as it’s heard. The only difference is that the King 5 is factory fresh, while the K5 is pulled from service and restored. That edge in condition can sometimes give the King 5 an advantage in clarity and presence.
Bottom line: these two horns sit alone at the top. If you want something louder, it doesn’t exist.
A Horn With History
There’s no question that the Nathan Airchime K5 is a piece of rail history. These horns were originally built for real trains and used across North America for decades. The ones we sell have already done their job on locomotives, and they carry that legacy with them.
When you install a K5 on your truck, you’re mounting something that was once heard from miles down the tracks. These horns have survived rain, snow, dirt, and vibration for years. And after a full reconditioning process, they’re ready for another lifetime of service.
It’s more than just a horn. It’s a piece of the past brought back to life.
A New Standard
Not everyone needs that kind of backstory. Some people just want the tone, the volume, and the performance without the rebuild. That’s where the King 5 shines.
The King 5 was designed to offer everything great about the K5 and deliver it in a clean, new package. It’s not louder because it cheats. It’s louder in some setups because it’s untouched. No metal fatigue. No internal wear. Just raw five chime power with every blast.
For customers who want that deep, full sound of a K5 without the time, cost, or wait that comes with reconditioning, the King 5 is the better move. It doesn’t come with a story, but it makes a statement.
Performance Without Compromise
At the end of the day, both the King 5 and the Nathan Airchime K5 are built to dominate. They both deliver the tone that sets them apart from everything else on the market. If you’ve only ever heard smaller air horns or budget kits, these two are in a different category entirely.
We’re not talking about exaggerated specs or gimmick ratings. These horns don’t need fake numbers to prove their worth. They’ve been used in the real world, on real vehicles, by people who expect more than noise. They want tone. They want depth. And they want that unmistakable sound that comes with five tuned bells moving real air.
If you want something that turns heads and never gets old, this is where you stop looking.