My apartment is by the 5 track main in "the gultch" shared by CSX and NS in Atlanta, and every now and then there's a train that goes north intermittently sounding its horn around once every 30 seconds or so. (Something like * [~30 seconds] * [~30 seconds] * [~30 seconds] *....) Does anyone know what is the meaning for this horn?
If we could hear it happening, that might be a way for us to make a guess. I do not know about current affairs, but back in (real) train order days, it was very common for instructions to be issued for trains moving through areas of track and other work, festivals, or any other reasons for heavier than normal people or vehicle movement, to "ring bell and sound horn" when moving through those areas. Is there anything beyond normal operations happening?
That's what I was thinking, too... I see this practice at the Amtrak station when an Amtrak train is stopped, if a freight is slowly rolling by on the back side they'd periodically tap the horn so people know he's there while vision is obstructed by the Amtrak train. I've also seen it while there was a lot of MOW equipment obstructing during track work what would normally be an open view with people all around. -Mike
I would share examples, as I actually have numerous such train orders in my collection. Unfortunately digging them out from hundreds of thousands accumulated would be quite a chore.
Being Atlanta and near apartments, sounds like some engineers having a bit of fun Seriously, does this happen just randomly or have you noticed if there are events going on when it happens? With the World Congress Center and several event venues in that area, it may just be a safety thing to make sure folks are aware there are trains in the area.
At least when I was still working in the CADS (Computer Aided Dispatching Systems) era such orders are still issued in Train Messages when the carriers officially know in advance that some form of activity will bet taking place at a location within a specific time frame. Notification of the event must be at least a day in advance of the event as Train Messages are issued to a train when its crew goes on duty with the understanding that the crew will be on duty for 12 hours from its on duty time and to actually protect the event the potential for any crew/train to enter the area of the event must be covered.
It seems random to me, and I have little reason to think it's a folks\event close to tracks situation because they are still sounding it well out of downtown where there's no grade crossings or anything. Maybe there's a venue I don't know about? Edit: I don't think it was a backup movement, both times I remember I'm pretty sure the train was moving forwards. Also, they were on separate days, if that helps.
In today's railroads track work takes place with mechanized work crews with dozens of machines and staffed with 100 or more employees that are strung out over a mile or more of track. Tie & Surfacing gangs, Curve Patch gangs, Rail gangs. CSX and I am sure the other Class 1's have multiple gangs of each category working across their property to keep the property in operating order. Operations and MofW keep detailed statistics about the use of each line segment and the wear that the line segments experience and they formulate their maintenance decisions based upon those statistics.
I'll try to video it if it happens again, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't a track geometry train. I didn't see the 2nd one but the first was for sure a standard freight (I think mixed, but I didn't pay too much attention).
UP/BNSF Joint Line runs near the house, no grade crossings in earshot, when we hear horns I think it's to scare wildlife off the tracks.
You are misunderstanding my reference to MofW Gangs. When trains operate past MofW gangs that are working on adjacent tracks - one of the instructions the Flagman that must be contacted to pass through the working limits in addition to any speed specified through the limits is also an instruction to 'make noise' through the limits to warn employees in the gang of the train's approach. MofW mechanized equipment is noisy in operation and EXTRA noise needs to be generated for trackside employees to know of the passing train.
Just another thought- Could it be an area with street running? (Tracks embedded into a street, and running along the street, not just crossing it.) Trains running in such segments usually have their bells going continuously, and will (unless there is a no horn restriction) beep the horn frequently.
So, I do know the area our friend here is talking about. No street running, no crossings for a pretty good distance and in part of the area it's below street level. Atlanta like any big city has a homeless population issue, then there are those who just take short cuts and those up to no good that end up in area like the "gulch" as some call it. Apartments are booming in the area and there are several event venues and attractions in the area. I was kind of joking about it but the more I think about it, them I think it really just might be some engineers that just like to stir the pot.
Out of the box thought, you said it sounds random and the train is running slowly, maybe they have a driver monitor installed and every time the engineer nods off a little the horn sounds to get his attention back on track.
