Hmm, why does only the lead engine horn makes sound?

Question

Wouldn't it be safer to to have all the horns sounds when a train is coming by, or would it be a noise concern?

Answer 1

I seriously dont think it would add to the safety factor.

Sound radiates forward at a roughly 45 degree wide cone and the trailing engines would not add to the forward safety margin and would only serve to be an added irritant to the surrounding nighborhoods.

Years ago a railroad I worked on tried electronic bells, they werent mechanical, just a speaker saying ding ding ding.

It was ittirating and what was worse they were operated thru the MU cables so the entire consist was saying dingdingding so it was like church bells gone wild.

Answer 2

One whistle is plenty loud enough if people are paying attention.

Answer 3

One whistle is sufficient.  The problem is, people will ignore four or five of them as easily as the one on the leading locomotive in direction of travel that the engineer uses.

There would be much more noise as well.

Answer 4

The FRA sets a specific minimal noise decibel that locomotive horns must reach, and also a maximum level. But the main reason is that the engineer controls a locomotive horn by either a button or lever in that locomotive. You would have to have a crewman in each locomotive in order to sound each horn. Way too much labor cost for that, unnecessary also. The lead engine's horn should be sufficient enough. A million horns won't make some people any smarter or more observant of their surroundings..