Why do train horns [have to] whistle as they come up to a city?

Answer 1

They have to. It's required by law that they have the lights on and the horn sounded when they are coming to a crossing or any area where there may be people or cars crossing.

Answer 2

Kyle- Gotta side with Andy F and Skidderback on this issue. I live in Santa Clara, and I get to hear the horn from my house every night and all day. I can't say that I mind them mainly because I am a rail nut. As the two engineers stated the Federal Railway Administration, (FRA), has laws that govern the horns, their pitch, volume, and how the horns are signaled. This is a huge safety measure as the two engineers have pointed out. By the time the engineers can see whatever is in the crossing or on the tracks, its often too late to stop the train before the collision. Let me also point out a few things too. The railroad was there when you decided to purchase your property or rent the place. You are the one who made that choice, so complaining about it is not going to do you a bit of good. Personally, I would kill for a piece of property with the railroad along my back fence. Additionally, what you are asking for is also very dangerous. Our neighborhood went to the City of Santa Clara, in an attempt to enact a "Quiet Zone". I was on the board who opposed this request. Mainly because when these Quiet Zones are enacted, the grade crossing accidents severely increase. Not only that, but there are significant and extremely costly improvements that are required in order to effect these zones. I can tell you from being on the board, Union Pacific is not going to be the one footing the bill for those improvements. Your tax dollars will, and you will be paying Union Pacifc to do the upgrades. Not trying to insult anyone, but it really boils down to a safety issue. Simply put, live with the horns, and the safety they provide for everyone. Just a suggestion, that works very well. You might consider doing one of two things in your bedroom. First, you might consider running a large fan. The white noise that the fan produces, will circumvent the noise from the trains. If you don't like having a fan running in your bedroom, you can also try a divice called a Hiss Box. This generates white noise that closely resembles rain. This too also circumvents the noise of the trains. Both will significantly reduce the horn volume within the confines of your bedroom. Case and point? We used to live on a very busy street. I got tired of hearing the sirens and vehicle traffic constantly whizzing by. My wife could not get to sleep and neither could I, so we got a large room circulator and we turn that on its medium speed 24/7-365, and we drop right off! And, my simpathies too. My wife and I both work Graveyard and Swing Shift, so sleeping during the day was a must. My Aunt who is a Graveyard Charge Nurse, suggested the Hiss Box or a Room Fan. It worked perfectly! Good Luck!

Answer 3

DTT and Budgie are right on. But here is the kicker.

If, as an engineer, you hit a car or pedestrian at ANY grade crossing (we're talking California, here), and it can be proved that the whistle was not sounded or was improperly sounded, the headlights and ditch lights were not illuminated, the engine bell was not ringing, and it results in a fatality, that engineer can and will be indicted on charges of manslaughter.

By the way, it is against the rules to unnecessarily sound the whistle or blow other than accepted signals. This not for the public, but rather that they may be misunderstood or affect another train's movements.

Now do you see better why we're so damned noisy? Remember, we don't like 'em either, we are sittin' right under them, most times.

Answer 4

Trains crews are required to blow the whistle (horn) at almost every public crossing at grade. We're also required to blow the horn at the entrance to some tunnels, sometimes on the approach to a bridge, and often as a courtesy to trackside workers.

On a side note, train crews do not have to blow the horn at every crossing. There are some that have whistle exceptions; crossings such as these must meet certain criteria before the crews no longer have to blow the horn.

Answer 5

Well, it has nothing to do with a city or if its farm land. Trains are required to sound two longs, one short, and one long blast on the horn approaching all road-rail crossings. In the city, there are just more crossings, and more people to hear it. They have to sound the same signal anywhere there is a crossing.

Answer 6

They are required to signal at EVERY crossing where cars cross the tracks: two long blasts, one short blast, and another long.

P.S. The city of Placentia, Ca., was recently trying to outlaw blowing train whistles between the hours of something like midnight and 5AM. I'm not sure if they were successful.

Answer 7

The main reason is to alert the public that a train is coming through and to not be on the tracks. It is done also if there are people working near the tracks.

Answer 8

Check this link for Uncle Pete's train horn codes.
I am pretty sure that the signals are universal across the US.

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_whistle

Answer 9

They have to blow their horn at every railroad crossing.
It might be a little bit of an annoyance... but it's a good saftey precaution.
We don't want any crashes now!!

Answer 10

usually to alert that they are at a railroad crossing , where they have to blow their whistles to alert drivers that may not see them or hear them coming down the tracks!