Robert Swanson (inventor)
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- For other people named Robert Swanson, see Bob Swanson.
Robert Swanson (1905-1994) was a researcher and developer, and is credited with the invention of the first six- and five-chime air horn for use on locomotives. Swanson had worked as the chief engineer of a company called Victoria Lumber Manufacturing in the 1920s, when he developed a hobby for making steam whistles for locomotives. Eventually, Swanson designed and built a large steam whistle for the mill where he worked. He also built a set of whistles that were on the old BC Hydro building that played the first 4 chords of "OH Canada" at noon every day.
Later, Swanson would go on to work as the chief inspector of railroads for the Province of British Columbia. It was here he met his future partner, Don Challenger, who operated a logging company. The two knew each other through the logging industry, which relied heavily on rail transportation at the time.
He published four books, including "Whistle Punks and Widow Makers." He supplemented his university education selling books called, "Rhymes of a Western Logger" that he sold out of a wheelbarrow that he pushed down Granville Street.
Swanson was the driving force behind the restoration of the Royal Hudson, supported by the NDP and Dave Barrett; however, Grace McCarthy attempted to take credit for the idea.
Robert Swanson was a qualified locomotive engineer, stationary engineer, professional mechanical engineer as well as chief inspector for the BC provincial department of railways. As chief inspector, he wrote the provincial "Boiler Code" in 1948, and he required that all locomotives running on BC provincially regulated railways be equipped with a five-note whistle, rather than the three-note whistle requirement for federally regulated railway locomotives.
Before his death he was an active member of the Ladysmith Railway Society. Many artifacts this society aquired were the direct result of his enthusiasm. Vancouver Island, and in particular Nanaimo and Ladysmith were his particular areas of activity. His whistle test station was on Nanaimo Lakes Road where he serenaded nighbours for miles around.
