Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
1/4 mile has been the industry standard distance for a long while, although on low-speed lines it's an excessive distance. The main idea is to give motorists and pedestrians at least a 15- to 20-second warning of the train's approach to the crossing. You can "engineer" this distance on a model railroad by running a loco or train at your usual "track speed" from the crossing toward the location you would like for your whistle post. Mark the location where the engine arrives after a 15-second run, and place your whistle post there. This process occurs naturally to anyone from Wisconsin, where distances customarily are expressed in hours and minutes rather than in feet or miles, e.g., "Milwaukee is an hour-and-a-half north of Chicago."
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!