Whistles in Virginia

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Do I listen for a train whistle at 300 yds away, 600 yds away, 1/4 mile away, or depending on what town I’m in are there even whistles blown? Then at a sight obstructed “private” crossing I listen for the bb bouncing around in Kevs cranial cavity I guess because the railroads are too cheap to put in whistle posts.

56-414. Bell and whistle or horn; when sounded.

Every railroad company shall provide each locomotive passing upon its road with a bell of ordinary size and steam whistle or horn, and such whistle or horn shall be sharply sounded outside cities and towns at least twice at a distance of not less than 300 yards nor more than 600 yards from the place where the railroad crosses upon the same level any public highway or crossing, and such bell shall be rung or whistle or horn sounded continuously or alternately until the locomotive has reached such highway crossing, and shall give such signals in cities and towns as their local governing bodies may require.

The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance require locomotives to sound their whistle upon approaching designated railroad trestles or bridges having lengths of 100 feet or more. Notice of any such requirement shall be given by registered mail to the registered agent of the railroad operating in the affected county, city, or town. Affected railroads shall comply with any such ordinance within thirty days of receiving the notice.

(Code 1919, § 3958; 1950, p. 944; 1956, c. 164; 1993, c. 483.)

§ 56-16. Wagonways to be constructed across roads, railroads, canals,
and other works; enforcement.

For the purpose of this section, “wagonway” means a vehicular
crossing adequate to permit the passage of machinery and vehicles used
for agricultural or forestal purposes, including but not limited to the
transportation of agricultural and forestal products to markets. Every
public service corporation whose road, railroad, canal, or work

2

WOW! Somebody has a lot of time on their hands.Maybe a new hobby would help,this one seems to not agree with you.Have a nice day and lets be careful out there.

3

After 180 years still nothing consistant for operateing rules. how convenient for the railroads huh?

4

yep very convienant. why should i do all that. those 1800 rules dont apply today. the rules are simpler. but i like the one where it says if horn dont work ring bell. that is a laugh. cause if the horn dont work you dont move, the engine is bad ordered and becomes a “b” unit only. oh well try again. those rules you stated went out in 1890

5

Va. Code Ann. § 56-413 (Michie 1999).
Meaning state law 1999

6

Ready for a big surprise,? State Laws may not superceed federal law, which, in this instance, is found in the current GCOR, april, 2000, rule 5.8, through 5.8.3 for horn, bell and whistle operation, followed by 5.9 through 5.10.2 for head light, ditch light and alternative markers.
Virigina can pass a law requireing us to whistle Dixie for all we care, it dosnt mean a thing, federal law prevails. And the federal law is more restrictive. But then, you would have to have a copy of the current GCOR to know that, your made up nonsense is going to get you killed at a crossing some day. Try using current info, instead of the propaganda you think up, assuming you can think for your self, or is mike letting you off the leash for a while?
Buy the way, you still havent told us who you are, and where you work. Still living at home with momma?
Ed

7

For your info. the railroads are not a governing body and there rules mean NOTHING to the state which there are NO Federal laws on whistles so the State is the determineing factor.

So take your GCOR and read it while your rideing your stick horse engine.

8

Ed, this guy (or girl) cant work anywhere, how
long do you think he or she would last in a
real work-a-day environment. jackflash

9

Never stated the railroads wrote the GCOR, but then I expected to much from you, I though you had acctually read the stuff you rant aagainst. For your information, the operating rules are federal laws, carrying severe penalties if violated. The rules about handling hazzardous materials arnt just rules, their laws. The rule about whistles, bells and lights are federal laws, the engineer who does not follow these rules can be fined, and have his license pulled.
But then, you dont know squat about railroading and I forgot you havent been listening to anything anyone else says, except your momma.
Why is she letting you stay up so late? Or are you on a sleep over at mikes?
At least that buttweasel has the cajones to sign part of his name, so he only half the coward your are.
Ed

10

I would love to try him or her out on the switching lead. Bet he or she couldnt make it a hour, without fainting. Or maybe just use him/her as a bumping post or wheel chock?
Stay Frosty,
The Unihead Ed

11

So show us the CFR that makes the GCORs a Federal Law. Kinda like the remote controls ain’t it? The FRA says “ah do it however the heck you want to and let us know how it works out”.

12

for your info the state has nothing to do with me i am lic by the foverment to run locomotives. the laws i obey are from the goverment. if a town says they ban all whistle from 9pm til 7am or i get ticketed guess what they haft to catch me first. cops cant even sit on a crossing exspecting me to stop even if there lights are on flashing. they better move couse i will hit them/ the only time i stop is stop signals dispatcher or other officials orders. or accedents at grade crossings. and at a grade crossing accident i dont haft to let a cop on the engine. he has no rights on the locomotive and reporters for tv and newspapers are banned from the site if we dont want them ( the crew or officials) they will be arrested and escorted off property for tresspassing So i will do as the goverment says when you change the minds of those people then ill do what you want. until then no dice