What do the different whistles mean when a train passes?

Question

I live next to a track and noticed that sometimes they give short whistles and sometimes they have long whistles. They almost always whistle 5 times.

And how can I find out when the trains are scheduled(freight only I think)?

Answer 1

Both Jeff & Hoghead are on the right track. (ha ha) I must add one more though. Three short blasts of the horn, on many RRs means, starting to back up. The whistle codes vary a little bit from one RR to the next. Way back in the day, when there were four guys or more on a train, still had cabooses, and before radios, there were up to 15 various whistle codes as communication to the crew.

Answer 2

The standard train whistle is four "toots". Two long ones, one short and another long. This is the one used when a train is crossing a road where cars or people might be present. There are many other combinations of whistles that the engineer uses to tell the conductor or brakeman various conditions. There are too many to mention here.

Answer 3

It is very regimented in the rule books.  The standard signal for crossing and other warnings is two long, one short and another long til the engine is occupying the crossing. Timing should between 15 and 20 seconds.  and just fyi, the engineers are NOT making all that noise just to wake you up at night, it is mandatory, sorry.

Answer 4

There's one that Hoghead missed, which is a long-short

(--- o). We use this one as a general warning when we're passing standing cars, approaching bridges, etc.

Answer 5

norac is the ruling agency for the railroad.

check out the rule book

each beep has a different meaning.

want you to check so you know what it means.

ex railroader

mc

Answer 6

Jeff is on the right track.  (Hey, do we lose points for poor puns?)

--- --- o ---  Two longs, a short and a long is the most frequently used whistle signal, but it is used not only where grade crossings are concerned.  "Whistle boards", commonly an "X" on a small plate on a post, indicate where the engineer is to begin to sound this signal.  But, it is used often for protection when approaching tunnels, bridges or other instances where there are impaired side clearances of any sort.  Engineers must sound this signal where required, even if the whistle board is missing.

The law (rule) is that this signal is to be commenced a quarter mile in advance, or 20 seconds in advance of occupying the crossing or other structure.

Here are some others:

ooooooo    A succession of short sounds = Use when an emergency exists or persons or livestock are on the track.  Other trains hearing this signal must stop until it is known to be safe to proceed.

---  One long = When stopped, air brakes applied and pressure equalized.

--- ---  Two longs = Release brakes, proceed.

o o   Two short = Acknowledgment of any signal not other wise provided for.

o o o  Three short = When stopped, back up, answer to signal to back up.

o o o o  Four short = Request for signal to be given or repeated if not understood.

--- o o o  Flagman protect rear of train.

o o o  ---  Flagman protect front of train.

--- --- --- ---  Flagman may return from west or south.

--- --- --- --- ---  Flagman may return from east or north.

o ---  Inspect brake system for leaks or sticking brakes.

So, "toot toot."  You're on your way...........