How do YOU know when a train is coming?

[JoeKoh]

We watch the signals for the trains.csx has alot of crossovers over here so the signals are absolute.
stay safe
Joe

[Mikeygaw]

I don't need any fancy equipment, i can feel it in my bones when a train is coming.

[passengerfan]

I take my dog with me when i go train watching and the hair on the back of her neck stands up when a train is coming. First noticed this in territory where the signals don't even come on until a train is getting near. I don't know why she does this but she has never let me down yet . Best train watching partner I have ever found. She never complains like the old lady about sitting around waiting for trains and she even saved me from a rattlesnake once. I always make sure to bring plenty of water and doggie treats.

[Anonymous]

since I don't have a scanner I use signals

[M636C]

The timetable tells you what the train is when it comes (not when it is going to come), along the lines of "Oh, a southbound steel train, it must be NY3 because that's the only one running today!". The timetable for this state can be downloaded from the official website, at least when I last looked.

If I'm in the mountains, you can generally hear trains coming, either in power or dynamic brake. The automatic signals only tell you if you've just missed a train.

At Goulburn, (the major station in the area) you can tell by the signals, which are set manually on the approach of a train, and often you can hear crossing signals from the north end of the yard.

Peter

[Anonymous]

ALL OF THE ABOVE! OH ONE THING:
UNION PACIFIC'S DPU'S TRANSMITS ON:
452.925MHZ.
452.950MHZ.&
457.9375MHZ. EOT&DPU.

[Mookie]

Whistles.

[tree68]

Gotta love those defect detectors, as long as they are "up track" from you (awfully frustrating to hear it just before you get to the appropriate watching spot and discover they were headed south...). This being dark territory, and being near a yard where most through trains do some work, listening for Form Ds comes in very handy.

The train horn is great, if you're close enough to a crossing. Again, this section of CSX was thoughtfully built with as few crossings as possible, except in some of the built-up areas. And, yes, those eyes...

One method I've heard of (and have used once or twice) is to put the frequency for the EOT device in your scanner. As long as there is reason for the EOT to transmit from time to time, you'll get the noise of the data being sent when a train is in the area. I wouldn't depend on it, though, especially if you assume that if you don't hear an EOT device, there is no train. It's possible that if there is no change in brake status, the EOT won't transmit. The tech experts will have to address that.

[Anonymous]

Scanner and signals.

[wabash1]

what does a time table haft to do with it?

[Anonymous]

What if I am at the spot where the signal is too far away to see or even to find, does a train transmitting any radio frequency to talk or telling anyone about its coming?

Karn

[Puckdropper]

If I'm going somewhere, I always check railroad signals. Green is a very good color. :-) I also look down the tracks when crossing them. (Stopped and watched a train go by after safely crossing not too long ago.)

I use my ears most often. Train horns are unmistakable.

[Anonymous]

When train watching/photo taking how do you know when a train is coming?

Watch a near by signal?
Listen on a scanner?
Have a timetable (for you rail workers)?
Listen for the rails to 'hiss'?
Or your trusty ears?
Or a different way?

Whats your way?[:)]