W-2

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Today I noticed something on the rail line running through town that runs parallel to a busy street. Well before a busy crossing is a sign with the letter “W” on it. No brainer- the “W” means (whistle) start blowing horn for the crossing. Underneath the “W”, on the same post is a number “2”. There is only one crossing, but the track is curving at this point. When the trees are leafed out, the engineer would probably have trouble seeing the crossing much before it got to the crossing. Any idea what “W” “2” would stand for in this situation? Thanks

2

My guess is that it is a reminder for the engineer to file his taxes.

3

I was going to say that, but it seemed way too obvious.

4

Numbers on a whistle post denotes the number of crossings…was there another crossing near there at one time?

5

How close together do crossings have to be for them to get a “W-2” sign as opposed to just separate “W” signs?

6

I would guess that there is a minimum distance that a “W” sign has to be placed up the line from a crossing (500 or 1000 feet?), and that that minimum is greater than the distance between the assumed two crossings.

7

Would that distance depend upon the track’s speed limit? I can imagine that one would need more room to blow the pattern when travelling at 60 mph than would be needed for travelling at 25 mph.

8

That is a whistle post with 2 crossings less than 1320 feet between them.

Rodney

9

So are the whistle posts always placed 1/4 mile before the crossing?

10

Short answer yes.

Rodney

11

[(-D]

12

Thanks. Looks like my curiosity will send me back out to see where the next crossing is. Does the “W” mean start blowing the horn exactly here, or is it just a heads-up that there is a crossing soon?

13

At speeds 45 mph and above we start blowing at the whistle post.

Rodney