As with other rail systems, here in south-east Queensland, trains approaching grade crossings (what we call level crossings) must sound their horns.
The quaint bit [:I] is that the signs posted trackside (as a reminder I guess) are still a black capital w on white background - harking back to the days of steam for whistle. What I am bemused about is the fact that they have never been replaced with a capital H ! [:0] The W signs are just repainted…anyone up over see similar remnants of by-gone days still in operational use? At least it’s a reminder of what went before…
Whistle signs are on just about every railroad in the US.
Its been around so long that changing the signs would screw us all up!
But, as a side note, our local light rail, Metro Transit, uses rectangle yellow reflective signs, with the word HORN in black capitals to alert their drivers of where to start honking for street crossings.
Yes, I said drivers, because the folks running the light rail/mass transit trains are former bus drivers, hired out of Metro’s bus driver ranks, and the whistle sign, a black W on a white square, means nothing to them!
well! Thanks Jay and Ed! I was starting to think we here in Queensland were the only ones with these older style signs…heh heh…I wonder what others will “throw in the pot”…
When I rode the Southern Crescent,in 1978, I saw signs approaching grade crossings that showed _ _ . _ for “long long short long” in black on a white background. Did any other railroad.do this?
Assuming that Mudchicken was describing a sign, the Victorian Railways used an “X”, each arm about one foot long on a post about four feet high, as a “whistle for crossing” sign.
Recently in New South Wales, I’ve seen “rail crossing” road warning signs (about 3 feet across diamond in yellow with a black “lights and crossbucks” symbol) used as crossing indications on the rail line. They must be cheaper than purpose made signs!
I better damn well know how to spell it AND pronounce it. Since my wife taught Spanish for 35 years… Well, as far as I know, there is no law that keeps her from giving me a crack on the back of my head with a ruler.
Best use? I’ll have to go back to school for that one. Or was it those hamburgers??
[:0] Jalapenos are way too hot for me…[:0][:0] ugh!..maybe an acquired taste?
Jay and Ed, the pronouncing is just as tricky hey? Starts with an ‘h’ sound?