Do train engineers have a certain rule to go by when blowing the train horn?

Question

I read a post that said 2 long, one short and one long. Are there any other combinations and do they mean anything? They only blow them at RR Crossings, right?

Answer 1

Go to this link, and scroll down to whistle signals -- everything you want to know, from an official source (NORAC).

http://www.vnerr.com/training/Miscellaneous_Signals.htm

Most commonly used is the aforementioned "two long, one short, one long," and "two short" (moving forward, all released) "three short" (moving reverse, all released), sometimes "one short" (stopped, all applied) is used. An irradic combination is a warning as mentioned on the linked page.

The railroad crossing "long, long short long" is required by Federal Law, but only if moving over 20mph over a public crossing - we don't usually use it during switching... none of the others are required by the FRA.. Sometimes they are used, other times not. All thats required when beginning to move is a bell.

Answer 2

In the US the rule is at level crossings the horn must blow three times before the crossing and then held on until the engines pass the crossing.

Answer 3

I read in a book long ago that there are code messages in the
way the horn is blown. As far as railroad crossings go I just hear
combinations. One company near the tracks I had worked by just
stayed on the horn until they passed by.

Answer 4

There are horn rules for shunting, or at least it was used on the steam era. But that is not for crossings, they must blow the horn on the level crossings as they wish, I think that there is no specific regulation.

Answer 5

One long, one short, and one long signals a train going through a railroad crossing

Answer 6

I do know that they must sound the horn before all road crossings.

Answer 7

In the UK it is High-Low...