Why do train horns [have to] whistle as they come up to a city?

Question

Why do train horns [have to] whistle as they come up to a city?

Answer 1

They are required to signal at EVERY crossing where cars cross the tracks: two long blasts, one short blast, and another long.

P.S. The city of Placentia, Ca., was recently trying to outlaw blowing train whistles between the hours of something like midnight and 5AM. I'm not sure if they were successful.

Answer 2

Probably they're hoping that someone is trying to sleep so they can wake them up.  I think they teach the drivers that in engineering school.  Woo woooooo!  Here comes the train now!

Answer 3

usually to alert that they are at a railroad crossing , where they have to blow their whistles to alert drivers that may not see them or hear them coming down the tracks!

Answer 4

Check this link for Uncle Pete's train horn codes.

I am pretty sure that the signals are universal across the US.

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/funfacts/sig...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_whist...

Answer 5

DTT and Budgie are right on.  But here is the kicker.

If, as an engineer, you hit a car or pedestrian at ANY grade crossing (we're talking California, here), and it can be proved that the whistle was not sounded or was improperly sounded, the headlights and ditch lights were not illuminated, the engine bell was not ringing, and it results in a fatality, that engineer can and will be indicted on charges of manslaughter.

By the way, it is against the rules to unnecessarily sound the whistle or blow other than accepted signals.  This not for the public, but rather that they may be misunderstood or affect another train's movements.

Now do you see better why we're so damned noisy?  Remember, we don't like 'em either, we are sittin' right under them, most times.

Answer 6

so that stupid people won't die. And so that smart people won't die either.

Answer 7

They have to blow their horn at every railroad crossing.

It might be a little bit of an annoyance... but it's a good saftey precaution.

We don't want any crashes now!!

Answer 8

Well, it has nothing to do with a city or if its farm land. Trains are required to sound two longs, one short, and one long blast on the horn approaching all road-rail crossings. In the city, there are just more crossings, and more people to hear it. They have to sound the same signal anywhere there is a crossing.

Answer 9

They have to. It's required by law that they have the lights on and the horn sounded when they are coming to a crossing or any area where there may be people or cars crossing.

Answer 10

The main reason is to alert the public that a train is coming through and to not be on the tracks.  It is done also if there are people working near the tracks.

Answer 11

They have to because of people.It's a warning

Answer 12

Trains crews are required to blow the whistle (horn) at almost every public crossing at grade.  We're also required to blow the horn at the entrance to some tunnels, sometimes on the approach to a bridge, and often as a courtesy to trackside workers.

On a side note, train crews do not have to blow the horn at every crossing.  There are some that have whistle exceptions; crossings such as these must meet certain criteria before the crews no longer have to blow the horn.