Proper bell and whistle use?

[wdcrvr]

New guy here.  I am building a room size HO layout for my four grandsons to enjoy (yeah, right it's not really for me).  And I have found that they are much more into running my DCC Sound steam locomotives when they get to use the bells and whistles.  Me, too!!  So I would like to teach them and myself the proper way to use them instead of just tooting and clanging all over the place.  I am moeling late 1940's to early 50's time frame.  So far, all steam.  So, where do I find some basic guidance on the signaling in use at that time?

As a newbie, I really appreciate the generous outpouring of knowledge that I can find here.

Thanks

wdcrvr

[wjstix]

Some basic ones are the long-long-short-long whistle pattern used when the railroad crossed a road or street at grade. It's normally blown as the train approaches the crossing, with the last long whistle blast held until the engine was thru the crossing.

Two longs indicates a standing engine or train was going to start moving forward, three longs meant the engine or train was going to back up. The bell would normally be rung when backing up, or when approaching or leaving a station.

[NeO6874]

most basic of the signals that I can recall off the top of my head are as follows. Obviously "rules of the road" will vary based on time, railroad, and (sub-)division.

BELL --> whenever you're within yard limits / moving slowly, also a few seconds after blowing the horn at a grade crossing.  

For example, starting up out of a station, you'll have the bell ring til you're moving and away from the platform (say 2 car lengths out).

In a yard, as you're starting up (after reversing, etc) and up til you get a few car-lengths.  If you're going slow (say 5MPH or less), it might just keep ringing.

 

WHISTLE:

"Long" (L) = 1-2 sec blast (or as appropriate to distinguish from "short")

"Short" (S) = 1/3 - 1/2 sec blast (essentially long enough to create a note and that's it)

L = STOPPED (train stopped, and brakepipe has equalized)
S-S = (when stopped) -- heading forward (Acknowledge brakeman's "go forward" signal)
S-S-S = (when stopped) -- backing up (Acknowledge brakeman's "go backward" signal)
S-S-S-S = Repeat last command / command not understood
L-L-S-L = Grade crossing (same signal used today in non-quiet crossings)
L-L-S-L----- = Multiple grade crossings in close proximity, where there's not enough room to sound L-L-S-L between them.
L-S, followed by periodic S-S = Train is passing a stopped train, so watch out.

S-S-S-S-S-S-S-S-S-S = draw attention to approaching train (i.e. "GET OFF THE TRACKS!")

[7j43k]

Here's a copy of the "Consolidated Code of Operating Rules" for 1967:

 

www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GN_Misc/ccor_1967.pdf

 

On page 15, or so, are the whistle codes.  I've got a 1959 copy, and I don't see much difference between the two.

 

It is chock full of real railroad operating information.

 

WELL, GOOD GOSH ALMIGHTY.  YOU CAN'T CLICK ON MY LINK.  BUT YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE.  IF YOU'RE OF A MIND.

 

 

Ed

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tomikawaTT]

For more than you ever wanted to know, find a copy of Rights of Trains, by Peter Josserand.  It's a heavy read, but it goes into ALL of the rules as they applied in the transition era, including all whistle signals, signal aspects and their meanings and how lights and flags are supposed to be displayed.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[gmpullman]

Better late than never! I came across my 9/26/1937 New York Central rule book and some of this information should be helpful to you. I like the Rule 13 horn signals at interlocking towers. Horns or whistles were installed on many interlocking towers. Neat detail for our models.

 

 

The communicating signals were of particular interest to me as I remember hearing the "Peanut" whistle eminating from the cab of passenger engines when the conductor was signaling an OK to depart.

I always thought it would be a neat sound feature for DCC decoders but, alas, so far there are none available that I know of. Cows, sawmills, cheering soccer fans, YES—but NO cab signal whistle.

Enjoy, Ed

[BRAKIE]

Ed,For modern operators the majority of those whistles are no longer used..Can't whistle the flag in,nor to apply brakes.Can't whistle for a signal because there's no tower operators and the DS is hundreds of miles away.

The radio has all but replaced hand signals..

The romance of the rails is gone.

[wdcrvr]

Thanks to everyone for the information provided.

 

wdcrvr