Criteria for warning at crossings

[Anonymous]

I live near the NS mainline in Hixson, Tennessee. I am within an earshot of 4 public crossings, one private. The public crossings are all protected by gates and lights, but near each one is a sign that shows two black bars, one black dot, then one black bar. I thought this indicated two long horn blasts, one short, then one long before entering the crossing. I live close enough that I often hear the diesels throttle down, the cars rumble past, but no horns! I am wondering if there has been a change in procedure, or if it is up to the engineer's discretion, as I still occasionally hear some horns, and rarely hear what I thought was protocol. Any time, day or night. The fifth crossing, I might mention is a few miles away, and the last before crossing the Tennesse River, and entering DeButts Yard.

Please help me understand if there has been a change. 15 years ago I lived near this line, and visited it often to watch, and always remember the regulation amount of horn blasts.

While I'm at it, I also remember years ago ONLY seeing NS power, with an occasional CR unit, but now I see lots of BNSF, and UP power mixed in. Any reason?

Thanks!

Michael

[TomDiehl]

Under normal circumstances, you'd be correct, they should be blowing the horn in that pattern for each crossing. However, some areas have introduced noise abatement rules which prohibit the horns between certain times or all the time, depending on the legislation. Unfortunately, in most cases, these "noise abatement" rules have increased grade crossing accidents.

As far as the foreign power, two possibilities: 1. Run through power, the same locomotives are used on the train from one end of the run (for example, on the BNSF) to the other end of the run (on NS) or 2. Leased power, an old program that goes WAY back. It allows railroads in peak times to lease locos from another railroad that's experiencing a slow traffic period. Each lease agreement will have its own provisions, so the rest of the explanation will be different in every case.

[Anonymous]

I'm quite familiar with both run-through power as well as leases. I was surprised to see that the UP and BNSF power I see is generally of the latest variety, so that caused me to rule out leasing. Also, if it is run-through, then why am I suddenly noticing a pretty colorful assortment, where as I said above, years ago, pre-merger, I only saw an occasional Conrail diesel in the mix.

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by michaeldh30

I'm quite familiar with both run-through power as well as leases. I was surprised to see that the UP and BNSF power I see is generally of the latest variety, so that caused me to rule out leasing. Also, if it is run-through, then why am I suddenly noticing a pretty colorful assortment, where as I said above, years ago, pre-merger, I only saw an occasional Conrail diesel in the mix.

Without knowing the exact circumstances, I'd have to guess that it's a traffic pattern change or new business arrangements.