Why do trains honk the horn when they go in/out of a tunnel?

Question

What is the point of doing this (other than annoying people!)?

I am asking because I happen to live near a tunnel and they've all been honking but they don't do this everyday.

Answer 1

Going in to let people who working in the tunnel know that the train is coming and on the way out to let people on the line know the same, you can't really see a train coming out of a tunnel till it gets to the end.

Answer 2

Because track workers may be working in the tunnel and the horn is to warn them the train is approaching.

Answer 3

To hear the echo. It sounds soooooo Coooool.

Answer 4

its dark in the tunnel so i assume they are just letting anyone who may be in the tunnel know that they are coming and they better run like ****

Answer 5

It is required safety measures on most railroads for the reasons listed above, although I never worked on a place where it was required to sound the horn coming out of a tunnel.

Back in the "olden days" that was one of the only ways to warn track workers of the approach of a train.

Now we use more sophisicated means of comunication but the laws to protect track workers are still in effect.

Answer 6

Good question.

All know the engineer is required to sound the whistle when approaching crossings at grade.  In most instances, there are "whistle boards" posted where the horn must be sounded.  Most commonly, a simple black "X" on a small, white, square on a short post.

But, these whistle boards are used elsewhere at times.  When seeing the whistle board, the engineer must comply.  The whistle boards are usually placed anywhere where there is impaired side clearance, such as in tunnels, on bridges or in "cuts", where there is little clearance between the side of the train and an embankment.

So, the whistle being both a communications device as well as a safety device, its prescribed use is beyond and in addition to blowing for up coming crossings at grade.

Answer 7

It used to be written in the rule book that a horn should be sounded when approaching a tunnel mouth to ensure that anyone in, around or entering the tunnel knew a train was approaching.  However the rules have changed, unfortunatley habits die hard and many drivers still sound a high low note for safety.

Answer 8

The use of the horn is as a warning and a requirement for train drivers as they enter a tunnel, if it is a long tunnel must be use in frequent intervals.

If there are some workmen are inside,  they are aware of the danger (or anybody else who should not be there!)

The horn should not be use except emergency between the hours of 23.30 and 07.00.

Answer 9

Occasionally there are people working in the tunnel and they need a warning so they can get to a refuge before the train arrives.

Answer 10

a warning................

Answer 11

They might be blowing the horn today because there are people working on/in or around the tunnel, so the drivers will sound there horns as a warning.

Up until 2 years ago the  Train Drivers Rule Book (Like the highway code, but for trains) stated that the horn must be blown on entering and exiting a tunnel and also whilst passing through if the tunnel was sufficiently long, but this rule was removed as it was deemed to be "Noise Polution" and excessive with todays safety guidelines regarding working on/in or around tunnels. Basicly the rule book was updated to reflect more modern practices.

Answer 12

They do this for actually two reasons:

1. Warn people inside the tunnel such as workmen and tourists that they are coming and they better get out quick, if they didnt give this warning there would be more factalities

2. To warn people inside the train that they are entering a dark tunnel.

Hope i helped

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