Why do trains blow a "Q" in Morse code when making a crossing?

Question

Why do trains blow a "Q" in Morse code when making a crossing?

Answer 1

Its not a supposed to be a "Q" per se -- railroad signals have their own meanings -- its two longs, one short, and one long which is the Federally required signal when approaching a crossing.

(b) -- -- o --

1.  Approaching public crossing at grade and at a whistle posting indicating “W” or “W/MX”.  This signal is to be prolonged or repeated until engine or train in on the crossing, or, where multiple crossings are involved, until the last crossing is occupied.  The whistle or horn must not be sounded at a whistle or horn must not be sounded at a whistle post indicating “W/R”, except in case of emergency.

2.  Approaching locations where Roadway Workers may be at work on track, bridges and other points.

3.  Approaching and passing standing trains.

Addition: Jetdoc, that is the Federal requirement, and its in the rule book. I don't know any engineers that make their own signals up -- since you admitted multiple crossings I'd be willing to bet they're marked "W M/X" which means the engineer must begin signalling and continue until he passes all of them because of their proximity.

ADDITION: Sorry to disappoint, you Keegan L, and HOGHEAD will back me up on this, it is LONG LONG SHORT LONG...

In addition to the NORAC rule book I quoted originally, which you failed to review, here is the GCOR...

http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/rulebook/signal...

Answer 2

Two longs, a short and a long (Rule 14L) became the US standard for grade crossing warnings long ago in the age of steam locomotives. Long before two-way radios were invented, the locomotive engineers needed a way to communicate with crew members who were out of sight. Lantern signals worked fine if the crew member was in sight, but if he was around a curve, the engineer needed a way to let him know what was going on. Whistle signals eventually became fairly standardized (just like track gauge, couplers, brakes, Standard Time, etc) so "boomers" (guys who moved from RR to RR frequently) didn't have to relearn signals and be a potential safety hazard to other crew members. Many whistle signals became universal like one short for being stopped or stopping, two long for releasing brakes and getting ready to move forward or two shorts as a general acknowledgement of "I understand."  RR whistles really don't have anything to do with morse code, that was the bailiwick of dispatchers, tower and block operators and station agents which is another topic :)

Answer 3

They are required to whistle before every crossing.They generally blow longer at known active crossings. and if they see activity. It is not always the same,

Answer 4

Not all of them do...  Some engineers use their own signals.  I used to live near a train track with multiple crossings... You could hear them at all hours of the day and night.  I used to think that a few idiots were trying to compose a new rock song while passing through our little town at 3AM.

Answer 5

"ACE" has said it all.  Well done!

Keep in mind, it is a warning signal and not intended to be aggravation.  Also keep in mind, in snowy conditions, the chimes of the horn can fill with snow, and when they do the horns' volume is considerably impaired, often to the point of non-operation.

Even with automatic crossing protection, use all of your senses to determine it is safe to cross.  Look, Listen and Live.  That's all there is to it.

Addendum:   What have you done?  Keegan L tucked and ran before I got to see his answer.

JetDoc, it is easy to see why you have drawn an erroneous conclusion.  Since the law and rule require that the signal  " - - o -", or two longs, a short and a long, that is what the engineers are blowing.  Where there are multiple crossings less than 1/4 mile apart some repeat the signal at long intervals, because that is what the rule requires, or some blow the required signal in short succession as each crossing is passed, or a combination of the two, which is what the rule requires.  For that reason the whistle signals may sound "customized", but they are not.  

The last thing any engineer wants to do is kill someone.  But if it happens and it can be proven that the engineer was not blowing the required whistle signal, or not ringing the bell, or not having headlights and ditch lights (if so equipped) on, then that jackass is subect to indictment on charges of manslaughter, at the worst, or criminal negligence at best, or with the myriad of choices in between.  In short, it is CYA - ville !

You are correct however, in as much as most of us are "rockers",  It kinda comes with the territory.

If it weren't for other idiots, we idiots wouldn't have to blow at 03:00 now, would we?

Engineers don't get to make up signals any more than you get to do aerobatics at less than 600'.  Or have the FARs changed on that point?  I've been out of aviation for a long time, speaking for myself.

Ifnatu, you should have a good answer to your question through this exchange.  Am I right?  

When "ACE" weighs in on matters of railroading, he pretty much knows what he's talking about.  My only complaint is he usually beats me to the punch.  When does this guy sleep????  Is it true garlic scares you?

Day two and another addendum:  Wikipedia, I have found, is not always the final word on a subject.  The tip off in this instance is reference to rule "14L".  A history lesson there, as it is no longer called such and has been that way for many years.

Rule governing use of whistle is now 5.8.2, and the signals are as follows:

(1)   Succession of short sounds.  "Use when an emergency exists, or persons or livestock are on the track.  When crews on other trains hear the signal, they must stop until it is safe to proceed.

(2)   "-" (one long),  When stopped: air brakes applied, pressure equalized.

(3)   "- -"  (two longs):  Release brakes.  Proceed.

(4)   "o o"  (two shorts):  Acknowledgment of any signal not otherwise provided for.

(5)   "o o o"  (three shorts):  When stopped, back up.  Acknowledgment of hand signal to back up.

(6)   "o o o o"  (four shorts):  Request for signal to be given or repeated if not understood.

(7)   "- o o o"  (one long, three shorts):  Flagman protect rear of train.

(8)   "o o o -"  (three shorts, one long):  Flagman protect front of train.

(9)   "- - - -"  (four longs):  Flagman may return from west or south.

(10)   "- - - - -"  (five longs):  Flagman may return from the east or north.

(11)   "- - o -"  (two longs, a short and a long):  [morse code 'Q']  Approaching public crossings at grade with engine in front, start signal not less than 1/4 mile before reaching crossing, if distance permits. If distance does not permit, start signal soon enough before the crossing to provide warning.  Prolong or repeat signal until engine occupies the crossing.  **Note:  This is how the rule reads in the GCOR - Fourth Edition - April 2, 2000.  Since that time a 'twenty second' clause has been added.**  Use this signal to warn employes when;  Approaching men or equipment on or near the track, regardless of any whistle prohibitions, or, view is obstructed.

(12)   "o -"  (one short, one long):  Inspect brake system for leaks or stiching brakes.

Ifnatu:  How many words can we spell in morse code with these signals?