Whistle code, flag and light code

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I found the following information on a ‘live steam’ website. It might prove useful to those of you who are running onboard sound, or who are out railfanning and want to know what all the ‘whistle’ talk means during switching moves. I posted this as a reply to a ‘help wanted’ over on the “Prototype Information” board, but thought that it might be of general interest so I am also postng it here. Of course, these are North America standards, I have NO CLUE if the same is used elsewhere on the globe.

(Signals are illustrated by “o” for short sound, and “=” for longer sound.)
ENGINE SIGNALS
Sound Indication
Succession of shorts
Used when an emergency exists, or persons are on the track. When other train crews hear this signal, they must stop and ascertain that it is safe to proceed.
====[one long] Train is stopped. Brakes are applied.
= = Train releases brakes and proceeds.
o o Acknowledgement of any signal not otherwise provided for.
o o o When train is stopped, means backing up.
o o o o Call for signals.
= o o o Brakeman/conductor to protect (flag) rear of train.
= = = = Brakeman/conductor to return to train.
== == o == Train is approaching public crossing at grade and to warn personnel when their view is restricted.
00000000000 Warning to people or animals on track; general alarm.

Communicating signals to be used by the brakeman/conductor.
Sound Indication
o o When the train is stopped: proceed.
o o When running: Stop.
o o o When the train is stopped: Back up.
o o o When running: Stop at next station.

Flag or Colored Light Signals:
Red Stop.
Yellow Proceed with caution, prepared to stop at next signal.
Green Proceed

2

Old post… can anyone elaborate on this please?

3

This is a good list for model railroading and general railfanning, although the prototype had more elaborate rules, especially for wayside color-light signals.

One correction: The whistle signal of 4 long (= = = =) was used to recall a flagman from the south or west. Five long (= = = = =) was used to recall a flagman from the north or east.

The communicating signals became obsolete once engine crews and train crews could reliably communicate with each other by radio. (In some cases, this didn’t happen until the early Amtrak era.) These signals were used only on passenger trains equipped with an air-operated system, which, when activated by a train crewman, caused an air whistle to sound in the engine cab. This system accounts for the “second” air hoses and connections on passenger cars.

It would take a book to cover wayside signaling. One of the best was written by the late John Armstrong. Although it was probably directed toward modelers and railfans, it was widely used by prototype railroads for instruction of their employees.

4

Thanks, Jennifer!

I found your topic quicker than I probably would have in whatever other forum you were mentioning. It’d be nice if they allowed you to do an alphabetical listing of the topic titles. [sigh]

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau