I am the author of a series of books in which I try to answer the little mysteries of life asked by readers of my books. I was wondering if I could post a few questions about trains sent to me by readers. The first question is: How uniform are train whistles from railroad to railroad? I would assume there would be a huge safety issue if they varied too much. And could anyone share where to find the most common codes? I have a copy of the 1969 B&O code -- would there be changes since? Any help you could provide would be most appreciated. Dave http://www.imponderables.com feldman@imponderables.com
Thanks for the reply, Charlie. Are there no rules, internally, about actually using whistle codes at this point? Were there in the past, before modern technology was available for communication within trains? Thanks, Dave
Yes, there certainly were, back in steam days before radios, when crews communicated with hand signals or lantern signals at night. Whistle signals were very important to the crews concerning direction of movement, call to the train, stop, etc. Helpers were signalled by the whistle. Today, all the yuppies complain about the noise. Few of them understand that without railroads, they wouldn't have the houses that they own, and the city that they live in wouldn't be there. OK, OK, I'll get off the box now.
I'm a little surprised that whistle signals weren't standardized among all the different lines. I guess a short signal for "Stop" was universal. Might it not have been useful for personnel in the station to have some idea what was going on?
The (very) few whistle signals that I remember are: 2 shorts (when stopped) = starting forward 3 shorts (when stopped) = starting backwards 3 shorts (when moving) = stopping at next station ? (when stopped) = rear end brakeman return to train 7 or more shorts (when moving) = DANGER, GET OFF THE TRACKS...NOW!!!! There were many, many more, but sadly, I don't remember them. There also were signals from the lead locomotive when a train was multi-headed and/or being pushed to communicate with the other engineers.
From Canadian Rail Operating Rules, these are the current whistle signals used. CROR Rule 14 a) o When standing - braking system is equalized; angle cock may be closed. 14 b) o o (i) Answer to a "stop" signal (except a fixed signal). (ii) Answer to any signal not otherwise provided for. 14 d) o o o o Call for signal 14 e) ooo ooo To notify track forces of fire on or near the right of way (to be repeated as often as required). 14 f) Succession of short sounds. Alarm for persons or animals on or near the track. 14 l) _ _ o _ (i) At every whistle post. (ii) At least one-quarter of a mile from every public crossing at grade, (except within limits as may be prescribed in special instructions) to be prolonged or repeated according to the speed of the movement until the crossing is fully occupied by the engine or cars. (iii) At frequent intervals when view is restricted by weather, curvature or other conditions.
Dave- Welcome To TrainBoard! The major change in operating using whistle/horn signals, came about with introduction of radios. There are some differences in rulebooks out there. Individual company safety rules and such. But horn signals are fairly standard in the USA. Boxcab E50
I live 40 feet from the commuter rail / Northe East Coridor just outside of Boston. Occasionaly I hear two long blast from a fast moving AMTRAK train. Any idea what it means? There's a small chance it is on a commutter train. There are no grade crossings. Is it possible it is a work crew warning or is it just to wake me up?
Steve- Is there a bridge or tunnel nearby? There used to be a warning signal for approaching such hazard areas. Seems to me it was a short, followed by a long. One problem these days, is that horn artistry has been ruined. You just can't do it the same, with a push button. The old lever days allowed some individual flair. Boxcab E50
From General Code of Rules (GCOR): http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/rulebook/signals.html#5.8.2 This covers whisle signals. GCOR covers all rules applicable to RRs.
In steam days if there was a helper locomotive cut into the middle or the end of the how did the helper crews here the whistle signals from the lead locomotives? For example on the better than 3% up the Siskiyou Mountains the SP would have either four or five 2-10-2s, with one or two at the front two in the middel and one on the rear. It seems that the middle and last locomotives would have a hard time hearing the whistles from the lead locomotives over the load exhaust of the other engines working hard up the grade. I do know that the helper crews watched the brake pressure in the pipe and the slack in the train.
There is a new "ultra-elite" housing development going up in Shawnee KS right next to BNSF's Emporia Sub. That "2MT" see's 60 to 70 trains a day. I'm just waiting for all the lawyers and plastic surgeons that will eventually move in to start complaining about "all the noise". I hope BNSF tells them to kiss-off!
