The Siren Board

I am going to Knoxville, TN in a few weeks and was wondering if they had sirens, and if so what kind.

They have quite a few old Thunderbolts around the Chattanooga area, all are unfortunately inoperative and decommissioned. Not sure whether they are single or dual tone. I've got photos of a few of them somewhere, and I believe there is also a thread here that mentions some of the locations with photos.

If you want to be able to see one up close and personal, you can go about 8 miles North on I-75 (from Chattanooga) you'll see a Thunderbolt on the left side of the interstate. It has a platform mounted blower - and judging by the number of wires on the electrical service line I believe it is a single phase siren. Can't miss it!

As far as Knoxville I am not aware of any sirens there. I've also been through there quite a few times and have found nothing.

We had a topic awhile back about one of the old Thunderbolts.

http://airraidsirens.com/forums/viewtop ... hunderbolt

Charlie Davidson wrote:They have quite a few old Thunderbolts around the Chattanooga area, all are unfortunately inoperative and decommissioned. Not sure whether they are single or dual tone. I've got photos of a few of them somewhere, and I believe there is also a thread here that mentions some of the locations with photos.

If you want to be able to see one up close and personal, you can go about 8 miles North on I-75 (from Chattanooga) you'll see a Thunderbolt on the left side of the interstate. It has a platform mounted blower - and judging by the number of wires on the electrical service line I believe it is a single phase siren. Can't miss it!

As far as Knoxville I am not aware of any sirens there. I've also been through there quite a few times and have found nothing.

I have seen many Thunderbolts in Chattanooga and I remember hearing them in the 90's when my aunt was going to UTC. They were used for flood and other severe weather sirens for a while because parts of downtown Chattanooga had and possibly still does have a tendency to flood during heavy rain as the river overflows, but I am sure they have been inactive for years.

I've only seen one Thunderbolt on the interstate in Knoxville one time at a power substation but that was 5 or more years ago. Not sure if it is still there and to be honest I can't quite remember exactly where it was.

Knoxville has a bumble bee colored CD Thunderbolt!!!!!

Charlie Davidson wrote:They have quite a few old Thunderbolts around the Chattanooga area, all are unfortunately inoperative and decommissioned. Not sure whether they are single or dual tone. I've got photos of a few of them somewhere, and I believe there is also a thread here that mentions some of the locations with photos.

If you want to be able to see one up close and personal, you can go about 8 miles North on I-75 (from Chattanooga) you'll see a Thunderbolt on the left side of the interstate. It has a platform mounted blower - and judging by the number of wires on the electrical service line I believe it is a single phase siren. Can't miss it!

As far as Knoxville I am not aware of any sirens there. I've also been through there quite a few times and have found nothing.

Is that Tbolt painted gray?

Model2 wrote:

Charlie Davidson wrote:If you want to be able to see one up close and personal, you can go about 8 miles North on I-75 (from Chattanooga) you'll see a Thunderbolt on the left side of the interstate. It has a platform mounted blower - and judging by the number of wires on the electrical service line I believe it is a single phase siren. Can't miss it!

Is that Tbolt painted gray?

Actually that particular one happens to be CD Yellow. There is also another one atop Belvoir Pharmacy that is CD Yellow with a reddish-rusted looking color on the horn. It's mounted pretty low, I'd say about 25-30 feet off of the ground or so.

Charlie Davidson wrote:

Model2 wrote:

Charlie Davidson wrote:If you want to be able to see one up close and personal, you can go about 8 miles North on I-75 (from Chattanooga) you'll see a Thunderbolt on the left side of the interstate. It has a platform mounted blower - and judging by the number of wires on the electrical service line I believe it is a single phase siren. Can't miss it!

Is that Tbolt painted gray?

Actually that particular one happens to be CD Yellow. There is also another one atop Belvoir Pharmacy that is CD Yellow with a reddish-rusted looking color on the horn. It's mounted pretty low, I'd say about 25-30 feet off of the ground or so.

I think I might know which one you're talking about. I remember it as gray, but it's been six years since I've been to Chattanooga.

I know this is an 8 year old thread, but with the help of JMAN and 4J25, we uncovered some sirens from Knoxville's system that actually still exist:

Thunderbolts:
6th & Washington (Bumblebolt)
West High School
Ludlow Ave. Substation
Buffat Mill Rd. near Prosser Rd.

Model 5s:
Giffin School
Maryville Pike near Henry Ave.

There may be more out there for all we know...

Here it is! Photo credit to Adam Pollack: