I was told by my Dad (who is not a railroader) that a computer onboard will yell at an engineer if they honk at a time other than a grade crossing, i.e. at a railfan or wavign child. Is this true?
The Beaverton, Fanno Creek & Bull Mountain Railroad
"Ruby Line Service"
No.
Jeff
But the onboard computer will dump the air if he waves. God help us all if that happens.
selector But the onboard computer will dump the air if he waves. God help us all if that happens.
In a QZ.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I'm ceretainly no kid, but I've had many UP crews toot the horn to say 'hello' when I've been out railfanning.
cacole I'm ceretainly no kid, but I've had many UP crews toot the horn to say 'hello' when I've been out railfanning.
The wife and I drove up the Fraser Canyon last fall to see inlaws, and on the way past Spences Bridge I saw a CN freight headed by an SD70M-2, but on the opposite side of the Thompson River. From where I watched it, it was perhaps 400 yards away, and I followed it with my camera, making a video. The driver noticed me and gave a couple of toots obviously intended for my benefit.
Would the pending rules for inward/outward camera put an end to friendly toots? At this point, this would bring it into micro-management as someone reviews and ask why a toot?
Horn signals are required for many reasons other than grade crossings, and most are not geographically limited.
seppburgh2Would the pending rules for inward/outward camera put an end to friendly toots? At this point, this would bring it into micro-management as someone reviews and ask why a toot?
One 'official' reason would be to ensure, for safety, that the person being 'tooted at' had seen the train; another would be to establish that the engineer was keeping a safe lookout and acknowledging the same.
I'd expect that if any particular municipality demonstrated too aggressive or strict a response to horn use in a QZ, there might be railroad instructions -- formal or informal -- not to give 'friendly toots' ... or to be prepared to give a boilerplate response if a citation or notice regarding one is received.
I'd like to think this wouldn't be done in a micromanaging, bullying fashion. But those in the industry know better than I how particular carriers would do this sort of thing...
a crew gave me "a shave and a haircut two bits" blast with their horns yesterday.
stay safe
Joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
seppburgh2 Would the pending rules for inward/outward camera put an end to friendly toots? At this point, this would bring it into micro-management as someone reviews and ask why a toot?
When the horn is sounded, it is recorded by the event recorder. Reviewing the tapes will show where, when and the sequence sounded. I've never been asked why the horn was used.
The only time I would refrain from "tooting" at kids (or adults too for that matter) is when in multiple-track territory, and that there was another train in the vicinity. Without my "tooting", the other trains' "toots" would hopefully change the focus of the person's attention from my train towards the other train.
When our railfan goes out to watch trains, we carry a W sign and they usually toot at us as they pass. And I've waved at trains and sometimes get a toot, but not always. I'm sure it's up to the individual engineer what he wants to do.
jeffhergert When the horn is sounded, it is recorded by the event recorder. Reviewing the tapes will show where, when and the sequence sounded.
When the horn is sounded, it is recorded by the event recorder. Reviewing the tapes will show where, when and the sequence sounded.
This is so your road's lawyers can say, in court, "See. Our engineer did sound the appropriate grade crossing signal before the deceased tried to beat the train to the crossing."
ChuckAllen, TX
The Hub City Railroad Musuem, where I volunteer is becoming something of a well-known railfan haunt here in Spartanburg. Be always get the 2 long 1 short 1 long for the Magnolia Street Crossing on Northbounds. But a ot of times the southbounds will give us some horn honks and the enginieers almost always wave if there's kids.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
when a lawyer falls in a forest, does anybody hear?
Ulrich when a lawyer falls in a forest, does anybody hear?
Not until he files the notice of claim...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
..and does anyone really care?
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
cefinkjr jeffhergert When the horn is sounded, it is recorded by the event recorder. Reviewing the tapes will show where, when and the sequence sounded. This is so your road's lawyers can say, in court, "See. Our engineer did sound the appropriate grade crossing signal before the deceased tried to beat the train to the crossing."
That's what the outward facing video camera (and outside audio recorder) is for. Then they can play it for the court without needing anyone to decypher the event recorder printout.
Geared Steam Ulrich when a lawyer falls in a forest, does anybody hear? ..and does anyone really care?
Another lawyer for filing a wrongful death suit.
Not if that other lawyer also falls in the forest.
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