Train whistles - they have 2 long - 1 short - 1 long at crossings. What does it mean?

Question

Train whistles - they have 2 long - 1 short - 1 long at crossings. What does it mean?

Answer 1

That is the Federally mandated warning approach signal. Its also used for passing stations and maintenance workers.



It has to be started not less than 1/4 mile from the crossing, not lasting long than 15 seconds, and the final long must be held as the lead locomotive passes through the crossing.



The 14L rule (Whistle "Ban) can be exempted if the engineer see's something near the tracks at his discretion.



P.S. I don't know where the speed limit info zharantan posted came from, but it is bogus. 79mph is the MAS Federally allowed without high-speed signalling. And there is no SET or MANDATED min or max speed within or approaching towns or cities. That is governed by the individual railroad.

Answer 2

It is a Federal requirement. This Federally required signal is to alert all traffic in the area that a train is approaching the intersection. This dates back to before there were any railroad gates at road crossings, and many crossings still do not have gates or the gates may fail. Thus, the signal is still required. Unfortunately, drivers of cars are not taught this, so they do not recognize the signal when they hear it. Also, there are speed limits for trains. 87mph is the maximum out in the open country (which is where the signal is most important). 40mph is for when approaching a town or city. 15mph is the max when the train is within town or city limits.

Answer 3

Two long, one short, one long: Train is approaching a grade level crossing (i.e. a road crossing). This is a widely used safety signal used to warn motorists and is blown at every grade level crossing, except where local noise ordinances prohibit it. Known in railroad rulebooks as rule '14L'

Answer 4

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/signals.shtml

this site will provide you great info on whistles of trains