What kind of trouble could an engineer get in for not giving the proper whistle..

[88gta350]

At the crossing near my house we seem to have 2 different, regular engineers make the local run. One always gives the long-long-short-long with the last long going until he's occupying the crossing. The other just gives several quick toots on the whistle as he's approaching, and the last one is usually done while he's still an engine length or two away from the crossing. What type of discipline, if any, could he suffer if caught at this practice, and why wouldn't he just give the correct arrangement, since he's blowing it anyway, why not just do it right?

And why exactly is the arrangement 2 long, short, long. Who came up with that and why?

[kschmidt]

Not sure about that. But a couple of years ago I was out in Iowa at the Kate Shelley High Bridge when the UP was reinforcing the bridge. All of the trains crossing the bridge were told to ring the bell and whistle freely as they crossed the bridge. One of the trains I saw cross the bride did neither of the two. Just as the locomotives crossed the bridge I heard on the scanner that once the crew was relieved from the train Boone, IA the crew was to report to superintendent's office for failing to whistle and bell on the bridge. Don't know what happened.

Keith

[csxengineer98]

2 things can happen....1...a boss hears you..and rigths you up on a rules violation....
2.... you hit someone at the crossing...and the lawers will use it as eveidance..and your toast!!!!!....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

And why exactly is the arrangement 2 long, short, long. Who came up with that and why?

There are many engine whistle signals that were used before handheld radios came into use. They are still listed in rule books, although they (the signals) have fallen into disuse. I do not know of any one person that came up with that signal or any of the others.

GCOR 5.8.2.7 lists "- - o -" for "approaching public crossings at grade".
GCOR 5.8.2.1, a "succession of short sounds", indicates an emergency. Should you hear it, hightail it out of the area quickly.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

And why exactly is the arrangement 2 long, short, long. Who came up with that and why?

Somebody, somewhere started using it, it became popular, and was evenutally codified (made a rule). Undoubtedly the same is true of all of the other signals.

"Hey Mike, when I want you to come back in off of flagging, I'll hit you with x toots." Then there were two trains that needed flagging at the same time, and both flagmen came in when only one should have and it was made into this many toots east and that many west, etc, etc.

More than likely the first use of the crossing signal was by an unknown engineer on the Podunk Hollow and Nowhere RR - in other words, we'll never know.

[Junctionfan]

I have heard CN whistle 1 long then 1 short and 1 long at crossing and then whatever rhythem they feel like. They don't always use the bells unless they don't use the whistle.

CN uses bells when going through most crossings without whistle, station limits, yard limits, junctions and the odd stretch of mainline where I guess they fear animals or children are close by.

CN uses the whistle at certain crossings and from certain directions I have noticed; there are a few crossings where that is so. Also, CN whistles upon leaving yards sometimes and entering yards. Sometimes I hear CN whistle for some dumb school kid walking on the tracks or they whistle at the lift bridge when it's up too long and they get fed up. They also whistle for children's amusement and hot woman for theirs.

[Sterling1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

They also whistle for children's amusement and hot woman for theirs.

If they had women engineers they'd probably whistle for hot men too . . . [:D][8D]

[csxchris]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

2 things can happen....1...a boss hears you..and rigths you up on a rules violation....
2.... you hit someone at the crossing...and the lawers will use it as eveidance..and your toast!!!!!....
csx engineer

In the past train crews have been held personally liable for damages relating to incidents involving the public and not complying with the rules. A good example is the crew from that S.C. wreck and the chlorine, those guys are SCREWED! In addition with a certain railroads recent problems involving grade crossings -management has stepped up operational testing of train crews and crossing protection - subsequently men have already been taken out of service. So these professionals aren't taking any more chances.

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

They also whistle for children's amusement and hot woman for theirs.

If they had women engineers they'd probably whistle for hot men too . . . [:D][8D]

Not necessarily......[:-^]

[BR60103]

I read once ( source now lost) that the original crossing signal was two long and two short. For years, railroads disciplined engineers who dragged out the last blast, until someone in charge said "Why don't we find out why they're all willing to risk discipline on this?". Railroads used to be run by ex-military men, with the same ideas about obedience.

[Anonymous]

On the LIRR you can get written up for a rules violation and God forbid if you hit someone at the crossing and did not blow as per rule 14L the Lawyers will eat you up!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Hello the engineer getting into trouble part i am quite certain but there would heck to pay!
As far as the- long or (dash)long (dash)short(dot)long(dash) is concerned-yes that is morice code for the letter Q which is commemerating the queen--the exact year of implementation is still a mystery. tenappolee

[larsend]

At least some UP engineers take whistling a crossing very seriously.

I live on a rural road, several miles South of Idaho Falls and this road crosses the UP Montana Division, protected by flashing lights and bells. Immediately adjacent to the crossing is a permissive signal.

One early morning (2:00 AM) as I approached the crossing, I noticed a train Southbound about a mile and a half North of the crossing. I pulled over to the side of the road and turned my headlights off and proceeded to train watch.

The permissive signal was red, probably due to local switching activities a few miles to the south.

At the train approached the crossing, the engineer sounded the long – long – short – long warning before he stopped about 100 yards short of the crossing and signal. When he came to a full stop, he again sounded the crossing whistles. When he completed that he started moving and again sounded the signal, this time sounding the last long whistle until he was in the crossing.

Either the engineer was a stickler for following the rules, or he spotted my car, and assumed I was a UP supervisor sitting in the weeds.

[NellsChoo]

In the area I live in, they would get in trouble if they DID blow a horn! I've been fuming for years about how towns in eastern MA have "whistle" (they are horns now...) bans at crossings. "Oh, they make too much noise!".

I won't ramble, but if the oldtimers decided there had to be a certain whistle... I mean horn, pattern blown at a crossing for safety, who are these yuppies who are home all day to say "they are too loud"? I've had a few letters published in local papers on this topic, but nothing will change....

If they don't like the whistles... horns... then DON'T MOVE NEAR A RAIL LINE!!

Jonelle

[spbed]

How would one know if they are waiting at a grade crossing what is the "right" amount of toots to blow. Is their a rule somewhere that somebody could cite?[:o)][:p][:)]

Originally posted by 88gta350

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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