When is a train driver allowed to sound his horn?

Question

I live in suburban sydney between two stations, it is a busy track; surburban, intercity, country link and freight trains use the track. However, more and more lately nearly every train is sounding its horn as it passes our complex of units. Would there be a valid reason for this or are train drivers just trying to annoy residents with the loud and offensvie noise of their horns?

Answer 1

train drivers are allowed to sound his horn only when they are arriving a station or departuring from it.

Answer 2

Hi aj.

I got to visit Australia in '84 and I have to say, if the Queensland National had been hiring, I may not have come home to the States.

There is no doubt that regulations regarding use of the engine whistle differs between here and there, but I can speculate with an educated guess, or perhaps clear up some confusion about the requirements here.

The engine whistle is a communications device, as well as a warning/safety device. For that reason, engineers here are required NOT to blow the whistle unless necessary and even then only the prescribed succession of 'long' and 'short' sounds, used in various combinations conveying different information. This is to help keep a whistle signal intended for another train from being misunderstood and acted upon by the wrong train. This is especially important in rail yards, where there are numerous trains in close proximity.

It is true a 'whistle board' is usually displayed in advance of a road grossing at grade identified wither by the display of the letter "W" or "X." This is a reminder to the engineer and the prescribed whistle signal, two longs, one short and another long (---- ---- 0 ----) must be sounded according to law. Where there are multiple crossings less than 1/4 mile apart, these letters are followed by a number indicating the number of crossings. In this instance, the whistle signal must be prolonged or repeated until the lead locomotive enters the last crossing. This is the one whistle signal almost everbody is familiar with.

But, there are other whistle signals than can initiate movement, stop movement, indicate conditon of air brakes and much more as a communications device. Almost all railroads operate with radio communication these days, but if it quits, it's back to good ol' hand and whistle signals.

As far as more trains blowing their whistles past your complex now, there may be a new road, men working on the tracks in a prolonged maintenance project or other instances where engineers will be instructed to blow their whistle issued in the form of a 'track bulletin', but these are usually temporary.

But, having spent a little while sitting right below the damned things I can assure you most of us are not fond of the noise either. For that reason alone, I would doubt the engineers operating past your abode are trying to annoy you.

Unless they're masochists, of course.

Think of it as a necessary evil, because, when people pay attention to it, lives are saved. Please do.........

Answer 3

A friend of my father's was a train engineer for Conrail here in the USA for many years. Engineers are required by law (here in America anyway) to sound their horn at any place where a roadway crosses their train tracks. Actually if you walk along some train tracks here, you'll see little signs bearing the letter "W". This stands for "whistlestop" and it indicates where the train driver is required to sound the horn. I know how you feel, I grew up next to a North/South train track that crossed TWO east/west train tracks. Talk about some middle of the night noise.

Answer 4

It is all done with safety and a rule book.
There is a blast for the approach to a station. Also a singal or blast when leaving a station. One for a curve, on to reverse. One when approaching a grade crossing.

You would need to check the NORAD (spelling) rule book for the USA and what ever the rule is for your courtrny if out of the US>

Answer 5

A train driver can sound his/her horn whenever he/she pleases. There are no restrictions on this. You're just jealous.

Answer 6

When the driver of train saw anythingsdate/alive that is laying on the rails / when it about to reach its destrination/whenit came across dark tunnel/when it passed whatever man buile bridge

Answer 7

of course they're not just trying to annoy you. you're not that important. and train drivers can sound thier horn whenever they see fit, just like you.

Answer 8

u should come live where i am sirens, train horns, ship horns, gun shots, helicopters every damn night

Answer 9

it is to warn any one nearby and at the intersection that they are coming by.