Did all railroads follow a standardized whistle system? Or did they all have their own? Does anyone know what all the different whistles mean, and if so where I could get a list of them?
Quick Answer – whistle signals were standardized throughout the country for all railroads, except for perhaps small industrial yards.
The primary ones still in use:
Short, long, short, long – Grade crossing warning
One short – I have stopped.
Three short – backing up
Two short – proceeding forward
Five, six, or more short blasts – emergency
There were many others. If you type “whistle signals” (without the quotes) into Google it will take you to several Web sites where you can find them listed.
Click on the following link. It should answer all your questions.
http://srmduluth.org/Features/railcomm.htm
Enjoy
AW
Isn’t the grade crossing long-- long-- short – long or have they changed?
Last I heard of a grade crossing warning it was long,long,short,long.Or as some engineers would do long,long,short,long,long,longer.
When I worked on the PRR and the C&O under the Chessie and CSX banner I can not recall a single engineer that would use his horns other then grade crossings interlocking tower or before leaving after we finish switching a industry or a coal loader(C&O).
We had one old engineer that could get a HA HA of the horns…I was told that when he was running steam locomotive he would laugh with the whistle while passing interlocking towers or yard offices…
I thought the crossing signal was LONG-LONG-SHORT-LOOOOONG. Of course, most of the trains I see just let out one short blast before coming to a crossing.
Harking back to the days of CPR steam and recalling a ride in the cab of a 4-6-4 Royal Hudson heading west out of Moose Jaw in 1947, the Engineer allowed me to sound the whistle, while at the same time telling me that each blast cost 25 cents for steam (he didn’t say whether long or short).
Guys,Many of you may recall I come from a railroading family…I ask my Grandfathers about whistle calls.Both agreed they did not use the whistle no more then absolutely necessary.The reason being if all the yard engines was whistling their moves the brakemen would become confused on who is doing what. So every yard crew,local crew depended on hand signals to make their moves.There will be no need to whistle you are backing up since the brakemen or conductor has already signal you to back up .My dad and all of my uncles agreed with those thoughts.It was also pointed out that whistling was hard on your hearing as well…
Thanks for all the help. The reason I asked is because I’m getting ready to add sound to my railroad, and I want to operate as prototypically as possible.
Gradecrossing whistles are long-long-short-long as said above.
Here are the most common whistle signals, per Rule 15 of the 1967 Edition of the Consolidated Code of Operating Rules:
One long. When standing, air brakes applied.
Two long. Release brakes. Proceed.
One long, three short. Protect rear of train.
Four long. Flagman may return from west or south.
Five long. Flagman may return from east or north.
Three short, one long. Protect front of train.
Two short. Answer to signal calling attention to lights or flags displayed for a following section, and answer to signals not otherwise provided for.
Three short. When standing, back. When running, answer to conductor’s signal to stop at next passenger station.
Four short. Call for signals.
One long, two short. Call attention to signals displayed for a following section.
Two long, one short, one long. Approaching public crossing at grade. (To be prolonged or repeated until crossing is occupied.) Also to be used to warn trackmen or other employees, and when approaching tunnels and snowsheds, also as alarm for persons or livestock on the track.
One very long. Approaching stations, junctions, railroad crossings at grade and drawbridges.
Two long, one short. Approaching meeting or waiting points.
One short, one long. Inspect train for air leak or brakes sticking.
Succession of short sounds. When an emergency exists and it is necessary to use engine whistle to call for brakes to be applied on moving train or cars, or when necessary to use engine whistle to signal some other movement to stop.
–John
Here are the most common whistle signals, per Rule 15 of the 1967 Edition of the Consolidated Code of Operating Rules:
One long. When standing, air brakes applied.
Two long. Release brakes. Proceed.
One long, three short. Protect rear of train.
Four long. Flagman may return from west or south.
Five long. Flagman may return from east or north.
Three short, one long. Protect front of train.
Two short. Answer to signal calling attention to lights or flags displayed for a following section, and answer to signals not otherwise provided for.
Three short. When standing, back. When running, answer to conductor’s signal to stop at next passenger station.
Four short. Call for signals.
One long, two short. Call attention to signals displayed for a following section.
Two long, one short, one long. Approaching public crossing at grade. (To be prolonged or repeated until crossing is occupied.) Also to be used to warn trackmen or other employees, and when approaching tunnels and snowsheds, also as alarm for persons or livestock on the track.
One very long. Approaching stations, junctions, railroad crossings at grade and drawbridges.
Two long, one short. Approaching meeting or waiting points.
One short, one long. Inspect train for air leak or brakes sticking.
Succession of short sounds. When an emergency exists and it is necessary to use engine whistle to call for brakes to be applied on moving train or cars, or when necessary to use engine whistle to signal some other movement to stop.
–John