Do different train whistle patterns mean specific things? Whom are they to communicate with?

Answer 1

Yes, different train whistle patterns mean specific things.

"Train whistles are used to communicate to other railroad workers on a train or to railroad workers in the yard. Different combinations of long and short whistles each have their own meaning. They are used to pass instructions, as a safety signal, and to warn of impending movements of a train. "

I know you hate un-original & cut & paste answers, but I did look this up. I did a google search and it was about the 5th result to pop up. I found in your favorite source, Wikipedia, the whistle code. It is laid out very simple. So here goes...

"Despite the advent of modern radio communication, most of these whistle signals are still used today:

- One short: Stop or stopping; apply the brakes
- One long: Approaching railroad station or junction (if moving), or apply air brakes and equalize pressure (if standing)
- Two short: A general answer signal or acknowledgement; identical to the "roger" or "10-4" radio terms
- One short, one long: Inspect the train
- One long, one short: Visibility obscured
- Two long: Train is about to proceed forward; release the brakes
- One long, two short: Additional section follows signaling train
- Two long, one short or two short, one long: Train is approaching a meeting or waiting point
- 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'
- Three short: Train is about to proceed in reverse (if standing), or train is about to stop at the next station (if moving)
- Three long: Train cars have come unhooked; train has come apart
- One long, three short: Flagman, go protect the rear of the train
- One short, three long: Flagman, go protect the front of the train
- Four short: Request for signals
- Four long: Flagman, return to the train from the west or north
- Five long: Flagman, return to the train from the east or south
- Four short, one long: Fire alarm; fire on the train
- Multiple short: Danger, get off the tracks! Used to warn pedestrians or livestock who are on the tracks in front of the approaching train.

Other whistle code
Not all railroads use the exact same whistle signals or assign the same meanings. Some railroads will use their own variations of the above. A few of the signals are obsolete because the workers they were used to communicate with (such as flagman) are now obsolete.

In Norway, for example, the following whistle signals are used:

- One short: Stand by or general acknowledgment.
- Two short: Apply/increase manual brakes.
- Three short: Apply manual brakes to stop the train as soon as possible.
- One long: Approaching railroad station or blind curve.
- One long, one short: Decrease manual brakes. When repeated, decrease brakes fully.
- One long, two short: Prepared for change of tracks, crossing and/or other situations that necessitates a gentle approach.
- Multiple short: Danger.

In Finland, the following are some of the signals used:

- One short: Engine is starting forward.
- Two short: Engine about to run backwards.
- One long, one short: Warning, used before arriving to a crossing.
- Three long: Danger."

Very interesting, isn't it?!

Answer 2

Train Whistle Signals

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do different train whistle patterns mean specific things? Whom are they to communicate with?

Answer 4

Entries 2 through 6 are communicated between engineer and conductor on a switching move. Entries one, seven, and eight are general warnings.

1) succession of short blasts = when something or someone is on the track, including pedestrians, cattle, or other trains

2) one long blast = when stopped, air brakes are applied, pressure is equallized.

3) two long blasts = release brakes, proceed

4) two short blasts = acknowledgement of any other signal not otherwise provided for.

5) three short blasts = when stopped: back up, acknowledgement of hand signal to back up.

6) 4 short blasts = request signal to be repeated.

7) long, long, short, long = approaching public crossing at grade.

8) one long, one short = approaching men or equipment on or near the track.

Answer 5

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It's tricky. My son is 18 months and I don't expect him to understand sharing. I agree that they just aren't developmentally able to consider other's needs in that way at this age. Actually, I don't even really understand how they're supposed to share. Is a child supposed to give up a toy to another child that they were happily playing with? Or are they supposed to understand taking turns and waiting patiently? If my son goes for a toy another child is playing with (which is rare to be honest), I try and steer him away. I'm lucky in that he usually watches and waits for the child to leave the toy before going to grab it! The only time he's really likely to try and snatch a toy is when another child is playing with one of HIS toys at HIS house. In this case, it means I'm also friends with the mother and we have similar ideals... so unless anyone is crying or getting hurt, we let them snatch away. If another child comes to take a toy from him (a child I don't know well like at toddler group), I either offer the other child a different toy or wait to see whether my son is willing to give it up! I find that more often, it's another child who comes to snatch from my son with a parent following closely behind to encourage sharing. So far, no parent has tried to tell my son to give up a toy... I just smile sweetly and the mother will either take her child elsewhere or I'll hand the toy over once my son is bored. Sometimes, if their child is very upset wanting the toy, I'll try and offer my own son something else to free up the toy in demand... but I don't start lecturing him about the art of sharing or take a toy away from him forcefully. I guess really I'm just ignoring the idea of toddlers sharing all together. Sure, I'll take responsibility to try and keep things nice and keep both parties happy... but sharing doesn't come into it from my point of view. Ultimately, we're not asking them to share, we're asking them to sacrifice a toy they were enjoying and it isn't really fair at all. In any situation where another adult has an expectation that I don't believe is realistic of my child, I just ignore it. I've either been very lucky or very oblivious as I haven't had any problems so far! I suppose my 18 month olds attention span is so short we never get in the situation where he's playing with a car for 30mins while other toddlers are building up in tears because they want a turn. Hope that makes some kind of sense...

Answer 6

. ENGINE WHISTLE SIGNALS.
NOTE. -- The signals prescribed are illustrated by "o" for short sounds; "-" for longer sounds. The sound of the whistle should be distinct, with intensity and duration proportionate to the distance signal is to be conveyed.


SOUND. INDICATION.
(a) o Apply brakes. Stop.
(b) - - Release brakes. Proceed.
(c) - o o o Flagman protect rear of train.
(d) -- -- -- -- Flagman may return from west or south *.
(e) -- -- -- -- -- Flagman may return from east or north *.
(g) o o Answer to any signal not otherwise provided for.
(h) o o o When standing, back. Answer to 12 (d) and 16 (c).
When running answer to 16 (d).

(j) o o o o Call for signals.
(k) - o o To call the attention of engine and train crews of regular and extra trains, yard engines and operators at interlocking stations to signals displayed for a following section. On single track, if not acknowledged by engineman of the train or engine met or passed, the engineman of the train displaying signals must stop and ascertain the cause.
(j) -- -- o -- Approaching public crossings at grade. To be prolonged or repeated until crossing is reached.
(m) ---------- Approaching mail cranes where catcher service is performed; on other than steam engines before passing the engine of trains operated by steam engines moving in the same direction on adjoining track.
(n) -- -- o Approaching meeting or waiting points. See Rule 90.
(o) 0 -- Inspect train line for leak, brakes sticking and for dragging equipment.
(p) Succession of short sounds Alarm for persons or live stock on the track.
(q) -- o When running against the current of traffic:
(1) Approaching curves or other points where view may be obscured.
(2) Approaching trains.
(3) On two tracks approaching stations.
(s) oo oo On freight and passenger trains, when stopped, to call conductor forward. On trains of M.U. equipment, to call trainman, except flagman forward. On electric and diesel electric freight engines to call head trainman forward.
(t) -- o -- o Passing open communicating office call for relief engine.
(u) -- o o o repeated Fire alarm.

Answer 7

Train Horn Signals

Answer 8

Two loud blast mean Hello
Three loud Blast coming to intersection - watch out!
or railroad crossing.Get off the train tracks you stupid fool.
3 long blast and one short to notify some one ahead that some one is watching or waiting for them.
5 short Blasts..
Good Night!