All you engineers out there…I was wondering what whistle/horn signals you use out on the rails today. I know the most common ones (forward, backward, railroad crossing), but wondered if there are any others you use, say like from steam locomotive days. What are they, and what are the sequences?
Well, since I am GCOR certified, some of the ones today are:
“o” represents a short toot
“~” represents a long toot
~ ~
Release brakes. Start or proceed.
o
Apply brakes. Stop.
~ ~ ~
When stopped, back up. When running, stop at next station.
~ Approaching station or junctions.
~ ~ o ~ Approaching public road crossings at grade.
~ o Warning whistle, when approaching points where view is obscured.
o o o o Call for signals.
o o Answer for any signal not otherwise provided for.
~ o o o Flagman protect the rear of the train.
o o o ~ Flagman protect front of train.
~ ~ ~ ~ Flagman return from the west (north) on main track.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Flagman return from east (south) on main track.
o o ~Engineman on second locomotive assume control of air brakes.
~ ~ o Approaching point to meet or wait for other trains. Engineman will give signal at least one mile before reaching the point.
o ~ Inspect train for air line leak or sticking brakes.
~ ~ ~ o o o Call for section men.
~ o o To call attention of switch engines, extra trains or other trains to train markers indicating a following section.
o o o o o o o o A number of short toots closely spaced is an alarm for persons on the track.
Most of the time crews just use radio’s most of the time.
2 longs a short and a long when approaching public grade crossings, 2 shorts when iniatiaing movement forward, 3 shorts when going back wards, a long and a short when ever railway workers are alon the right of way and that lasts all the way through when ever a form b is in effect.
Rodney
a long and a short is also used (at least here) when your passing a stopped train when your going aginst the current of traffic…
csx engineer