Does anyone remember whistles made from freight train metal binding. Probably late 50s and 60s?

Question

When I was a kid my brothers and I would walk up and down the rail road tracks. There was this black metal strapping with holes about half inch apart. We had to bend it back and forth till it broke just right. then fold it in half, put it between your teeth and whistle so loud. Any way we learned to make music with them. I've looked every where and can't find anything about them. This was late 50s or 60s maybe into the early 70s. thanks

Answer 1

I remember doing the very same thing. I always thought the metal strips were from straps that held cargo on flat cars. Those

strips have been replaced with nylon/plastic materials.

Answer 2

wow you are the only other person to know what these whistles were. i had them too as a kid back in the early 60's. i wish i could find some myself. i think my own kids would like to know about them. i come from a railroad family so i will start researching them now

Answer 3

I grew up in rural Louisiana in the '60's and '70's and we did the same thing. We all had them in our neighborhood and drove all the adults insane with all of the noise. I would love to find some to show my kids.