The Vindicator/William D. Lewis Owners get to toot their own whistles

The Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Association offered owners of antique steam whistles the chance to sound them. Mike Fuoco of Bradford, Pa., above, checked out the demonstration Saturday in the B & amp;O Station parking lot in Youngstown. Youngstown Thermal and Eagle Mechanical provided a means for the steam-whistle owners to connect their whistles to a steam source and blow them -- for a 20 donation to the railroad heritage association. Dale Cairns and Jane Cunningham, left, came from East Sparta, Ohio, to have a look and listen. Organizers noted many people collect the antique whistles and restore them, but may not have ever heard what they sound like. More than 30 whistles were sounded; people on the scene said the whistles could be heard as far away as Hubbard.