Sounds quite quaint I know but........

[Kozzie]

As with other rail systems, here in south-east Queensland, trains approaching grade crossings (what we call level crossings) must sound their horns.

The quaint bit [:I] is that the signs posted trackside (as a reminder I guess) are still a black capital w on white background - harking back to the days of steam for whistle. What I am bemused about is the fact that they have never been replaced with a capital H ! [:0] The W signs are just repainted....anyone up over see similar remnants of by-gone days still in operational use? At least it's a reminder of what went before.....

Dave

[jeaton]

Dave

Guess what? Same here!

Jay

[edblysard]

Whistle signs are on just about every railroad in the US.
Its been around so long that changing the signs would screw us all up!

But, as a side note, our local light rail, Metro Transit, uses rectangle yellow reflective signs, with the word HORN in black capitals to alert their drivers of where to start honking for street crossings.

Yes, I said drivers, because the folks running the light rail/mass transit trains are former bus drivers, hired out of Metro's bus driver ranks, and the whistle sign, a black W on a white square, means nothing to them!

Ed

[Kozzie]

well! Thanks Jay and Ed! I was starting to think we here in Queensland were the only ones with these older style signs....heh heh...I wonder what others will "throw in the pot"...

Dave

[Anonymous]

In CROR anyway, there is no mention of Horns, it is always refered to as a whistle.

You blow the whistle at grade crossings, not the horn! [:)]

[espeefoamer]

When I rode the Southern Crescent,in 1978, I saw signs approaching grade crossings that showed _ _ . _ for "long long short long" in black on a white background. Did any other railroad.do this?

[jeaton]

That was before literacy was fashionable along that route.

Jay (Heading for the bomb shelter.)

[Anonymous]

All the signs in the UK still have a "W", even newly installed reflective ones!!

[rrnut282]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

That was before literacy was fashionable along that route.

Jay (Heading for the bomb shelter.)

You just said what we were all thinking[}:)]

[mudchicken]

"X" too

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

That was before literacy was fashionable along that route.

Jay (Heading for the bomb shelter.)

LMAO..

Bravo.....

[jeaton]

I know I shouldn't be a smart-#@! about anyplace south of the M-D. In a few years we want to move a warmer climate. Maybe they won't let me in.

Jay

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

But, as a side note, our local light rail, Metro Transit, uses rectangle yellow reflective signs, with the word HORN in black capitals to alert their drivers of where to start honking for street crossings.

Caltrain on the San Francisco Peninsula uses the same signs as Ed described.

Michael

[M636C]

Assuming that Mudchicken was describing a sign, the Victorian Railways used an "X", each arm about one foot long on a post about four feet high, as a "whistle for crossing" sign.

Recently in New South Wales, I've seen "rail crossing" road warning signs (about 3 feet across diamond in yellow with a black "lights and crossbucks" symbol) used as crossing indications on the rail line. They must be cheaper than purpose made signs!

Peter

[edblysard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

I know I shouldn't be a smart-#@! about anyplace south of the M-D. In a few years we want to move a warmer climate. Maybe they won't let me in.

Jay

Well,

You gotta pass the test. first...

Spell jalapeno, as in the pepper...then tell us what it's best used for...

Ed[:D]

[jeaton]

I better damn well know how to spell it AND pronounce it. Since my wife taught Spanish for 35 years... Well, as far as I know, there is no law that keeps her from giving me a crack on the back of my head with a ruler.

Best use? I'll have to go back to school for that one. Or was it those hamburgers??

Jay

[Anonymous]

jalapeno....

same kind of sound as jalopy, right? [:)]

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

I better damn well know how to spell it AND pronounce it. Since my wife taught Spanish for 35 years... Well, as far as I know, there is no law that keeps her from giving me a crack on the back of my head with a ruler.

Best use? I'll have to go back to school for that one. Or was it those hamburgers??

Jay

[:0] Jalapenos are way too hot for me...[:0][:0] ugh!...maybe an acquired taste?
Jay and Ed, the pronouncing is just as tricky hey? Starts with an 'h' sound?

Dave

[jeaton]

Dave

That's part of it, but I think there is supposed to be a little squigly thing above the n.

Jay[^][(-D]

[railman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrnut282

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

That was before literacy was fashionable along that route.

Jay (Heading for the bomb shelter.)

You just said what we were all thinking[}:)]

but dared not say[:0]

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

Dave

That's part of it, but I think there is supposed to be a little squigly thing above the n.

Jay[^][(-D]

Jay, thanks for the reminder about the "little squiggle" - your wife will know the name for it. I think that indicates a little 'y' sound (as in 'yes') immediately after the 'n'??

Dave

[edblysard]

Dave..
it's pronounced: Hal-O-peen-yo...
One of the milder peppers.
(have no idea what the squiggle over the n is called)

Jay, read the test requirements over again....it will click then.

Ed[:D]

[jeaton]

After extensive research (Linda, what do you call...?), the squiggle is called a tilde. Hit Alt 164 and you get ñ. Now you will be all set for writting to your Hispanic friends.

I am still working on the test. My brain has not clicked in several years, but I will work on it. [8] I have some time. It will be at least two years before we consider moving.

Jay

[Kozzie]

Hey Ed and Jay, this has been a rather intriguing example of going off topic [(-D]

Jay, if I press Alt 164 I just get the following symbols: !@#.....[:I] [:I] It's already Friday down here, so that's my excuse for being dim [(-D]

Dave

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

After extensive research (Linda, what do you call...?), the squiggle is called a tilde. Hit Alt 164 and you get ñ. Now you will be all set for writting to your Hispanic friends.

Jay

The squiggle is indeed a tilde, but combined with the letter "n" it is called "aynyay" (pronounced phonetically: "en-yay"). It is considered a separate letter of the alphabet.

Michael

[jeaton]

Dave-try the number pad.

Michael-The wife gave me that information also, but said it wouldn't be on the quiz. [:D]

She will be pleased that at least one rail fan obviously has some knowledge of the Spanish language. Her husband is sure a big disappointment on the language thing.[D)]

Jay

[edblysard]

Man,
I didn't think it was that hard a test...
my bad.

Ed

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

Michael-The wife gave me that information also, but said it wouldn't be on the quiz. [:D]

She will be pleased that at least one rail fan obviously has some knowledge of the Spanish language. Her husband is sure a big disappointment on the language thing.[D)]

Jay

Jay,

My wife is fluent, and currently speaks only Spani***o our 2 year old. He has yet to start railfanning in Spani***hough!

Cheers,
Michael