What developments do you see in regards to the train whistle?

Question

I haven't seen that many quiet crossings.

Answer 1

Well flags and whistles have only a symbolic use now.Trains are stopped and started by lights.Soon it'll all be computerised.

Answer 2

Rango raises a good point.

Carriers do fear lawsuits. That is why they are more than happy to help institute 'quiet zones' in any community that wants one. They could care less if anyone gets greased, as long as they are off the hook.

However, I do care, which is why I am fighting tooth and nail to prevent one from being adopted in my little town.

The proposed ordinance would create a quiet zone some 3 1/5 miles in length. The problem is, there is limited sight line, people ride their dirt bikes in the summer and snow mobiles in the winter along the right of way, many use a portion of the right of way as a short cut, children must cross the tracks on the way to one of the elementary schools and, being a resort town, there is a large amount of pedestrian traffic all around and in the proposed area.

It is grade territory and trains descending are in dynamic brake making far less noise than when in power. The town is also at 4,000 feet elevation, and when there is snow on the ground, 5 months out of the year, you can't hear them at all and tonnage ascending is quited as well in these wintry conditions.

Thus far, all concern has been surrounding 'four quadrant' crossing gates for protection of motorists. This is fine, except for practically useless. Except for pleasant weather, eveyone drives with windows up and heating or AC on, usually with the damned music pounding away, so quad gates will change nothing.

In the area, there has been one fatality, a near miss with a high centered fuel truck, and many near misses with the aforementioned pedestrian and recreational activities.

It is TIME that the locomotive whistle buys, and where life is concerned, even miliseconds can count, if it means one can get out of the way or wind up as a greasy spot on the ground.

I have been running only a couple years longer than Rango, I have never killed anyone and I never will because of a 'quiet zone,' which is why I have always disregarded them and sound my whistle.

If someone's sleep gets disturbed one night, that's just too damned bad. The train crew that sees the horror on someone's face the moment they realize their date with eternity is only a heartbeat away has many, many nights of disturbed sleep, as the scenario plays over and over again in their mind's eye.

Deal with the horn or move............ I will NEVER fail to use a readily available piece of safety equipment, which is exactly what the whistle is.

Answer 3

I have been an engineer since 1975, we are required to blow the whistle more and more as time goes on. It is federal law and penalties for not blowing can be pretty severe. I think a lot of it is lawsuit driven. As for quiet crossings, I hope there are more in the future but I dont see any huge push. Again, the fear of lawsuits would deter most attempts.

Answer 4

Did you know that from April this year drivers of UK trains do not use the whistle at crossings 11pm-7am.
They are also required to use only the quiet setting for horns in built-up areas and only if absolutely necessary.