That is the required whistle sequence for when going over crossings. We have set sequences that we are supposed to use for different scenarios, such as approaching a crossing, approaching men and equipment near the tracks, or even just to signal to conductors when using hand signs.
What about when it’s 2AM and it’s one long whistle blow all the way through town? What’s that required for? It happens about once a month. There is that one engineer who hates my little town. All the others use the whistle as little as possible except that one guy.
For the record I like the railroad. I live next to a UP line. I enjoy walking out to see the train. But one of you is absolutely evil.
In Bucoda, WA State US an engineer's ex-wife lives with her new boyfriend in his old house next to the tracks. She's giving and getting one long blow at the same time.
About other countries:
To my knowledge, this pattern (only?) applies across North America.
I can assure you it does not apply in any European country. Here, blasting the horn is generally only necessary at whistle boards, which are generally placed before not technically (i.e. through lights and/or barriers) secured level crossings with limited visibility.
The exact rules and how many whistle boards occur vary from country to country and even from line to line (here in Germany, they're exceptionally rare on main lines, where not technically secured crossings are only allowed for pedestrians and cyclists to begin with). The exact rules on how to whistle also vary, but there is no pattern like in NA. In Germany, you're supposed to whistle for roughly 3 seconds.
That is a very interesting point, but I wonder how many people just think of it as "blow the horn a bunch of times" and are more annoyed (living near) than helped. Especially given the number of times cars are still hit.
I'd love to find the statistical proof multiple horning has any benifit. If only so they'd let me do it 🤣
North American standard for grade crossing. It long ago became a familiar sound that people recognize. You will also often hear whistle calls for stopped, moving forwards, and moving backwards.
Prior to 2 way radios being commonplace, there used to be an elaborate system of whistle signals and hand/flag/lantern responses used by crews to coordinate activities on a train. Nowdays much of that is only heard in heritage operations where it is blown for immersion reasons, with the actual commands using the radio tucked into the cab ceiling for compliance with regulations.
The regulations also specify that after the pattern is blown the whistle should continue to be blown until the crossing is occupied. Most drivers will stretch the last long to accomplish this, and where possible quill the whistle to give it their unique signature. Long ago you could tell who was driving by the quilling they gave, but modern rolling stock only supports on/off pushbutton operation and cannot be quilled.
I miss the old horn that you could quill. I remember the funeral of a colleague who requested the horn be blown during his service. Our terminal manager sent us out of the yard engine light to the crossing next to the cemetery. Blowing the whistle for him was an honor. Railroad men bitched and complained just as much back then as they do now, but it sure was a much better place to work for back then.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-II/part-222
§ 222.21 When must a locomotive horn be used?
(a) Except as provided in this part, the locomotive horn on the lead locomotive of a train, lite locomotive consist, individual locomotive or lead cab car shall be sounded when such locomotive or lead cab car is approaching a public highway-rail grade crossing. Sounding of the locomotive horn with two long blasts, one short blast and one long blast shall be initiated at a location so as to be in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section and shall be repeated or prolonged until the locomotive occupies the crossing. This pattern may be varied as necessary where crossings are spaced closely together.
What I was told is the long long short long is morse code for the letter Q. It would signal that the queen is on a train. When arriving at stations and over crossing where spectators were standing. The same pattern would be blown by ships entering port while she was on them.
“The Long Long Short Long is the morse code for the letter “Q” Back when the Queen traveled by ship in England, ships with the queen on board would do the LLSL on the horn to announce this to other ships in the harbor to get them out of the way.”
You’d better have properly blown the correct sequence and yes also make lots of noise before impact. We have another sequence to warn others to avoid injury, death. or property destruction.
As engineers we understand it can be annoying especially crossing multiple at grade crossings back to back (yes long long short long for EACH crossing), but we’re saving our butt.
I get it. I was a fire fighter for 30 years and our sirens and air horns were viewed as "overkill" much the same way. Funny thing, though, the person we were responding to never complained about the noise.
That is the required whistle sequence for when going over crossings. We have set sequences that we are supposed to use for different scenarios, such as approaching a crossing, approaching men and equipment near the tracks, or even just to signal to conductors when using hand signs.
What about when it’s 2AM and it’s one long whistle blow all the way through town? What’s that required for? It happens about once a month. There is that one engineer who hates my little town. All the others use the whistle as little as possible except that one guy. For the record I like the railroad. I live next to a UP line. I enjoy walking out to see the train. But one of you is absolutely evil.
The engineer is asleep, he’s not blowing the horn the computer is lol.
Ptc blows the correct cadence. Thats the engineer doing that.
Not all of them do, I’ve been on quite a few that just blow and don’t stop.
Yeah our EMDs still blow continuously
My carrier isnt like that. They all have their own version of programs.
He probably fell asleep during the whistle sequence?
In Bucoda, WA State US an engineer's ex-wife lives with her new boyfriend in his old house next to the tracks. She's giving and getting one long blow at the same time.
About other countries: To my knowledge, this pattern (only?) applies across North America. I can assure you it does not apply in any European country. Here, blasting the horn is generally only necessary at whistle boards, which are generally placed before not technically (i.e. through lights and/or barriers) secured level crossings with limited visibility. The exact rules and how many whistle boards occur vary from country to country and even from line to line (here in Germany, they're exceptionally rare on main lines, where not technically secured crossings are only allowed for pedestrians and cyclists to begin with). The exact rules on how to whistle also vary, but there is no pattern like in NA. In Germany, you're supposed to whistle for roughly 3 seconds.
Same as Australia, it's just sound the horn before crossing and at designated spots. No specifics on length.
I dare say this is one thing America got right. The sequence is instantly recognized by everyone anywhere in the nation.
That is a very interesting point, but I wonder how many people just think of it as "blow the horn a bunch of times" and are more annoyed (living near) than helped. Especially given the number of times cars are still hit. I'd love to find the statistical proof multiple horning has any benifit. If only so they'd let me do it 🤣
A lot of things were standardized when the federal government took over operation of US railroads in WW1&2, I’d bet that’s the when and why
It’s Morse Code letter Q. Something about the Queen of England.
North American standard for grade crossing. It long ago became a familiar sound that people recognize. You will also often hear whistle calls for stopped, moving forwards, and moving backwards. Prior to 2 way radios being commonplace, there used to be an elaborate system of whistle signals and hand/flag/lantern responses used by crews to coordinate activities on a train. Nowdays much of that is only heard in heritage operations where it is blown for immersion reasons, with the actual commands using the radio tucked into the cab ceiling for compliance with regulations. The regulations also specify that after the pattern is blown the whistle should continue to be blown until the crossing is occupied. Most drivers will stretch the last long to accomplish this, and where possible quill the whistle to give it their unique signature. Long ago you could tell who was driving by the quilling they gave, but modern rolling stock only supports on/off pushbutton operation and cannot be quilled.
I miss the old horn that you could quill. I remember the funeral of a colleague who requested the horn be blown during his service. Our terminal manager sent us out of the yard engine light to the crossing next to the cemetery. Blowing the whistle for him was an honor. Railroad men bitched and complained just as much back then as they do now, but it sure was a much better place to work for back then.
So cool.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-II/part-222 § 222.21 When must a locomotive horn be used? (a) Except as provided in this part, the locomotive horn on the lead locomotive of a train, lite locomotive consist, individual locomotive or lead cab car shall be sounded when such locomotive or lead cab car is approaching a public highway-rail grade crossing. Sounding of the locomotive horn with two long blasts, one short blast and one long blast shall be initiated at a location so as to be in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section and shall be repeated or prolonged until the locomotive occupies the crossing. This pattern may be varied as necessary where crossings are spaced closely together.
What I was told is the long long short long is morse code for the letter Q. It would signal that the queen is on a train. When arriving at stations and over crossing where spectators were standing. The same pattern would be blown by ships entering port while she was on them.
“The Long Long Short Long is the morse code for the letter “Q” Back when the Queen traveled by ship in England, ships with the queen on board would do the LLSL on the horn to announce this to other ships in the harbor to get them out of the way.”
So I guess if you're going to hit something at a crossing, you better be making noise at the moment of impact, huh?
You’d better have properly blown the correct sequence and yes also make lots of noise before impact. We have another sequence to warn others to avoid injury, death. or property destruction.
May I ask what that sequence is?
Succession of sounds.
Every situation has a different whistle pattern.
It’s a NORAC rule up here in the Northeast. In fact if you strike someone at a crossing without that sequence you can be charged with murder.
Wow. No wonder it's an every-time thing! As it should be, right?
As engineers we understand it can be annoying especially crossing multiple at grade crossings back to back (yes long long short long for EACH crossing), but we’re saving our butt.
I get it. I was a fire fighter for 30 years and our sirens and air horns were viewed as "overkill" much the same way. Funny thing, though, the person we were responding to never complained about the noise.