Horn signals

LAST EDITED ON Nov-03-02 AT 04:20 AM (EST)

I know long-long-short-long means yer comin up on a RR crossing; but what do the other things mean?
Just curious, cuz they got trains comin outta the roundhouse, blasting Loooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggg-medium-short-medium and stuff up here...Then trains tootin back and forth...Then Lonnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggg(and another train joins in)Loooooooooonnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggg-shortshort-shortshort....
Short Short....
Loooooongggggggggggggg short Looooooongggggggg short short...
think the engineers are just messin around, if ya ask me...

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RE: Horn signals, TexasWestern70Mac, Nov-03-02, 06:01 AM, (1) RE: Horn signals, precision, Nov-03-02, 07:50 AM, (2) RE: Horn signals, chuckzeiler, Nov-03-02, 09:12 AM, (3) RE: Horn signals, darkfyre, Nov-03-02, 09:44 AM, (4) RE: Horn signals, I_totally_love_trains, Nov-03-02, 10:10 AM, (5) RE: Horn signals, darkfyre, Nov-03-02, 10:59 AM, (6) RE: Horn signals, SHEPLEY1935, Nov-03-02, 01:00 PM, (7) RE: Horn signals, darkfyre, Nov-03-02, 01:16 PM, (8) RE: Horn signals, I_totally_love_trains, Nov-03-02, 04:19 PM, (9) RE: Horn signals, chuckzeiler, Nov-04-02, 08:26 AM, (10) RE: Horn signals, SHEPLEY1935, Nov-04-02, 09:24 AM, (11) RE: Horn signals, I_totally_love_trains, Nov-04-02, 05:33 PM, (12) RE: Horn signals, chuckzeiler, Nov-04-02, 06:13 PM, (13) RE: Horn signals, SHEPLEY1935, Nov-05-02, 07:07 AM, (23) RE: Horn signals, condmike, Nov-04-02, 07:03 PM, (14) RE: Horn signals, McDeth, Nov-04-02, 08:02 PM, (15) RE: Horn signals, cn_bayview, Nov-04-02, 09:33 PM, (18) RE: Horn signals, NoMoreTrains, Nov-04-02, 08:13 PM, (16) RE: Horn signals, ssw, Nov-04-02, 09:24 PM, (17) RE: Horn signals, cn_bayview, Nov-04-02, 09:34 PM, (19) RE: Horn signals, TexasWestern70Mac, Nov-04-02, 10:45 PM, (20) RE: Horn signals, cn_bayview, Nov-04-02, 10:57 PM, (21) RE: Horn signals, SHEPLEY1935, Nov-05-02, 07:16 AM, (25) RE: Horn signals, SHEPLEY1935, Nov-05-02, 07:10 AM, (24) RE: Horn signals, calr, Nov-04-02, 11:56 PM, (22) RE: Horn signals, chuckzeiler, Nov-05-02, 10:14 AM, (26) RE: Horn signals, NoMoreTrains, Nov-05-02, 10:41 AM, (27)

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Spoofing my logo i see? hmmm i sense a few followers here. as far as some of the horns, back in the steam days, they were signals to the flagman for certain things the train did. i am not exactly sure of what they meant, but i know they were for the flagman at the rear of the train so he knew what the engineer was going to do.
Hauling America one pixel at a time
Bill Hemb train sim repainter, 3d modeler

Ah, the country's going down the tubes. What Tubes? I don't see any tubes.-George Carlin

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It can be a variety of reasons. Sometimes the dispatcher or MOW will tell us to lay on the horn because of a grade crossing signals not working correctly or if MOW employees were working on the main or a siding, and when they cleared up, have us to blow real good to make sure everyone is out of the way. As we went through a slow order and MOW employees were clear and we got permission to come through, we were told to give a good "blow job". That kinda made me raise my eyebrow. And then some engineers will just throw on the auto horn sequencer and let it go. That gets annoying sometimes. And some engineers just do it to be having fun. Guess it depends on who, where, and why.

If you're gonna do it, do it with precision.

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http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/wfrrm/whistles/

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-03-02 AT 09:57 AM (EST)

Where'd you get that font for your 'TDM' logo? I been tryin to make 'DRD' (Darkfyre Reskinning Division) for a while now
Hmm..Mebbe its just me, but is MAERSK copyin BNSF's and NS's paint scheme? Or is it all-original?
Or are BNSF and NS their 'ties' (pardon the pun) to the railroad industry? When all this MAERSK stuff started out, I didn't pay much attention; so forgive me for asking a probably-already-addressed-question...
And thanks for the info

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On the new diesel horns alls you gotta do is press a button and it blows it correctly for you. I got a question now...with these horns how does the engineer tap the horn at a fan or tap the horn for signals to the conductor?Adam-------------------------------Operation Lifesaver Organization -- http://www.oli.org/
Striving to save lives at railroad crossings

-------------------------------

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Read the post by 'precision':'And then some engineers will just throw on the auto horn sequencer and let it go. That gets annoying sometimes.'
It's a switch that you toggle to blow the correct sequence, should you wish to use it. It's not fixed to blow a certain signal for each time you press a horn. U gotta turn it on

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0 Apply brakes, Stop-- Release Brakes, Proceed-000 Flagman go back and protect rear of train---- Flagman may return from south or west----- Flagman may return from north or east000 When standing back up0000 Call for signals-00 (Single Track) To call attention of engine and train crews of trains of the same class, inferior trains and yard engines, and of trains at train order meeting or waiting points, to signals displayed for a following train section. If not answered by a train, the train displaying signals must stop and acertain the cause, except where rules governing movement of trains and engines by block signals are in effect.--0(extra Long)- Approaching public crossings at grade. To be prolonged until crossing is occupied by engine or car. This signal must also be frequently sounded to warn trackmen and other employees when view is restricted by weather, obscure curves, or other unusual conditions, and when approaching tunnels and snow sheds.- (Extra Long) Approaching stations, junctions, railroad crossings at grade, drawbridges and mail cranes between stations as may be required.--0 After passing last station approaching meeting or waiting points.0- Inspect train line for leaks or for brakes sticking.Succession of short sounds...Alarm for persons or livestock on the track.I'll bet this is more than you really wanted to know!

Don Shepley-Chicago

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-03-02 AT 01:19 PM (EST)

Interesting Though I dunno why trains comin outta the roundhouse and goin back in are sendin signals sayin they're about to cross a bridge or highway crossing...Probably an inside joke going on

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SHEPLEY, flagman may return to where?Adam-------------------------------Operation Lifesaver Organization -- http://www.oli.org/
Striving to save lives at railroad crossings

-------------------------------

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In Don Shepley's response (#7), there is a whistle (horn) signal to send the flagman out ( -ooo ) to protect the rear of the train. When cabooses were in use, and a train stopped on the main track, it was required that the rear of the train be protected from following trains. The engineer would send the flagman out to prevent a collision. When the train was ready to proceed, the engineer would "whistle in" the flagman, depending on the direction he was heading. The reason for the two different "whistle in" signals was to prevent confusion in the event that two opposing trains met, and both trains sent out a flagman to protect their respective rear ends.

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-04-02 AT 09:40 AM (EST)

To their train (usually the caboose), but in todays railroad operations that would be difficult to do!Chuck: I like your answer better than I like mine. With todays signal systems, the use of radios and the simple fact that freight trains no longer use the caboose or have rear brakemen I rather imagine that the whistle signals to call out or call in are seldomed used except with possibly MOW trains! Long ago, if a train went into an emergency brake situation and stopped the head brakeman and conductor would walk the train to determine the cause. If you were working on a double track main line the "Hogger" would turn his headlight off indicating that his train had stopped and the fireman would walk the opposing main providing flag protection! A different time and a different kind of railroad operations.

Don Shepley-Chicago

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What's the "Hogger"?In Central City, PA by my Grandma's house when I go to watch trains when I stay there if one stops there I've heard the engineer use the horn many times to signal to MOWs.Adam-------------------------------Operation Lifesaver Organization -- http://www.oli.org/
Striving to save lives at railroad crossings

-------------------------------

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A Hogger, or Hog Head, is a locomotive engineer. More RR slang here:
http://www.railroadextra.com/glossry1.Html
http://www.rrb.gov/funfacts3.html
http://www.alaskaaxle.de/terminology/slang.html

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"Hogger" is an old slang term for a steam locomotive engineer and sometimes a steam locomotive was referred to as a "Hog"!

Don Shepley-Chicago

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You have the Grade Crossing wrong.
It 2longs, 1Short, 1Long. Until you reach the Crossing.Cond Mike

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In all actuality, in modern times, most engineers just make up their own horn sequences. After all, what would you think as a train went past at 79 mph playing shave and a haircut? LOL

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I don't know about other RR's but CN has horn sequencers in there SD75i's(probably others too) The manager of the mac yard engine facility told me its so it actually does the long, long short long.
Because some engineers have there own style, like long, short, long long. Or other combos.When CN had its EXPO 67(???) train it had the F7 playing the Canadian anthem (or at least the beggining. I tried and its quite hard in MSTS.As for headlights, almost all trains i see put the ditch lights off and put headlight to dim while stopped.
some probably turn it off too.

Rob.
Mile 21.0 CN Oakville Sub.

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I think you read it wrong.> --0(extra Long)- He was emphasizing the last - to try to make clear it continues until the crossing is fully occupied. Got me at first too!!Incidentally, Don ...> the "Hogger" would turn his headlight off indicating that his train had stoppedIs this practice still generally practiced?? I know up here in Canada, I see this quite often while train watching. I've seen it alot on the CN's Newmarket Sub. It's also something I always do in MSTS if my train is stopped. Just curious.Ray

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-04-02 AT 09:25 PM (EST)

___ = long
- = shortI heard a BNSF train or two in Temple while railfanning/volunteering. It was blowing for the crossing just South of the museum.- (pause) __ -
or
__ (pause) - - all this for a grade crossing. It's right next to engine service facility, so surely some super or foreman can hear this....Everywere else its __ __ - _____InterestingBradley Linda
Waco, Texas




1938 Hiawatha with F7 Steam locomotive. Used by permission from http://www.geocities.com/skytop45

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Sometimes whatching videos you'll hear just long or long short long. Depends on engineer.

Rob.
Mile 21.0 CN Oakville Sub.

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funny, EVERY train i've ever heard always blew the horn the right way long-long-short-long......maybe lucky, or the engineers aren't so "horn lazy" anymore.
Hauling America one pixel at a time
Bill Hemb train sim repainter, 3d modeler

Ah, the country's going down the tubes. What Tubes? I don't see any tubes.-George Carlin

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Ya,
Most newer locos have horn sequencers(I think, CN at least)
Dunno how they work... The engineer has to start 'em at the exact moment to get it to end across the crossing.
anyone know how it works exactly?

Rob.
Mile 21.0 CN Oakville Sub.

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Ray....I do not know what is done with the headlight in this day and age. Remember that I am an old dinosaur! And a Grumpy one at that!!!

Don Shepley-Chicago

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When crossing is occupied" right out of the Rule Book!

Don Shepley-Chicago

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Here are two pages from a 1959 Southern Pacific Rule book on the various signals used by SP
Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, ORColumbia Gorge Route (Phase 1 track completed. Building roads and scenery)

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A copy of the Headlight section of the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) dated April 2, 2000, available here:
http://www.bnsf-ttc.com/bnsftime/

Attachments

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3dc7e040035d5123.jpg

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3dc7e05303cc22d1.jpg

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Thanks, Chuck. Why didn't I think of looking there??? Duh.Ray

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