Silly question about EMD F-units

[wjstix]

So, back when Varney and Globe were first producing their F’s, they pretty much nailed the air horns.

True, but even in recent years some manufacturers have offered F-units in later paint schemes (like Amtrak or BN) that still had the two single-chime horns and other ‘generic’ detailing from when the model shell was first made, even though by the time that paintscheme was used the real engines had multi-chime horns.

[gmpullman]

This guy’s horn wasn’t for signaling back to the locomotive.

Never said it was.

Kevin asked if there were ever horns mounted on cabooses. I provided a photo of a caboose with air horns.

The “peanut” whistles found on the end platforms would not sound loud enough to ever reach the cab of a locomotive but “might” get the attention of an automobile driver at a crossing during a backup move.

Then Kevin asked:

Were cabooses ever equipped with a signalling device to send a signal back to the locomotive?

Then JW mentioned the Santa Fe Wig-Wags.

MY reply to Kevin mentioned using the brake pipe pressure to “signal” the head end, otherwise it was hand signals or if necessary, the conductor had to walk up to the engine.

Regards, Ed

[Tin_Can_II]

A retired Santa Fe conductor told a story online about riding the rear platform of a Santa Fe caboose several miles on a shove move down a branch line; using the “peanut whistle” to signal grade crossings.