Why Trains Blow Their Horns So Much

Have you ever thought why trains blow their horns so often and so loudly? The truth is that they have to. And the main reason for that is safety. Locomotive engineers are required to honk every now and then, which is written down in the regulations called the "Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns."

So, as you can see from the name, all this honking business is pretty strict and obliges trains to make four blasts approximately 20 seconds before they reach a crossing. But that's not all! Trains whistles and horns are an effective method of communication! There is a whole system of locomotive horn signals, where different sound combinations mean totally different things!

Other videos you might like:

TIMESTAMPS:
A number of short whistles 1:10
One long whistle-like sound 1:26
Three short whistles 1:50
The signal you probably hear more often than others 2:20
Where train engineers aren't allowed to honk 3:38
Why trains can't just stop 4:07
Why trains have problems with going uphill 5:24

#trains #railroad #brightside

SUMMARY:
- If you hear a number of short whistles, it means that the engineer is trying to attract attention to the moving train.
- One long whistle-like sound can be heard when the train is coming to a halt, and the engineer applies the air brakes.
- Two long honks mean that the train has released the brakes and is ready to continue its journey.
- Three short whistles made by an unmoving train mean that the locomotive is about to move backward.
- One long whistle followed by a short one means that the train is nearing some equipment or people working on or near the track.
- The signal you probably hear more often than others is two long whistles followed by one short and another long whistle. Trains have to honk this way every time they approach a grade crossing, which is a place where a railroad track and a road or two railroad tracks cross at the same level.
- Florida once tried to ban locomotive horns. However, peace and quiet didn't last long. After the number of accidents at grade crossings had almost doubled, the ban was lifted.
- Any heavy object moving at high speed can actually stop pretty fast.
- The friction between the two is twice lower than the friction between a car's rubber tires and a road covered with asphalt.
- But besides being not very good at braking, trains also have big problems with going uphill!
- We, humans, can deal with super-steep inclines of around 80 degrees! But for high-speed trains, the maximum incline they can climb is only 2.5 to 4 degrees, while freight trains can't make it if the incline is more than 1.5 degrees.
- And still, some trains manage to climb not very steep hills with the help of several locomotives pulling them.
- After helping the struggling train to travel up, helper locomotives return back to the bottom of the hill to wait for the next train that needs assistance.
- On the other hand, any unfavorable conditions, such as rain, snow, or fallen leaves on the track, can prevent a train from going up a steep hill, even with the help of additional engines!

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[BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Would you prefer to go on a trip by car or by train? 🚗 🚂

[cracker]

*Short Answer:*
*To warn people the train is coming so they don't end up hitting a human*

[Jeagles]

In the UK, horns aren’t used for communication, with a couple of exceptions:
we have boards marked by a W near areas such as level crossings, where a horn must be sounded as a warning
When passing engineering works, a two or more tone horn must be sounded, to be different to a car horn
A horn may also be sounded as a warning if somebody is too close to the track

[LearnandGrowKidsTV]

Are we the only ones who actually like the sounds of train horns?
🚂 🚞 🚞 🚞

[tvpigy]

i live about 400 yards from a train crossing, i personal love to hear the horn of a locomotive, especially cause im a railroad enthusiast

[TheTrainGuy]

Bright side: train horns can be annoying sometimes .

Rail fans: excuse me?

[theaveragerailfanner]

I hear trains horns quite a lot, so they've become really nostalgic to me.

[Triplex]

If a train is blowing the horn in short rapid intervals it means "EMERGENCY", train goes into emergency braking meaning that there is some kind of danger or obstruction is on the rails.

[railsimsproductions]

A locomotive in the back is called a “DPU” (Distributed Power Unit)

[cabcar]

Whistle: (plays a horn noise) Horn: (plays a steam train whistle) REE

[BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

TIMESTAMPS:
A number of short whistles 1:10
One long whistle-like sound 1:26
Three short whistles 1:50
The signal you probably hear more often than others 2:20
Where train engineers aren't allowed to honk 3:38
Why trains can't just stop 4:07
Why trains have problems with going uphill 5:24

[railkidproductions]

It's actually pleasantly surprising that this video was so accurate about the fine details of "horn blowing patterns" and other interesting horn related facts. Well done, Bright Side!

[davidfriedrich]

I work as train driver in Germany - there all what he say do not exist.

[ryan.s]

I was gonna do my homework, but I watched this video instead to let out some steam...

I should really get back on track...

I really have derailed...

Ok that’s enough puns, I’m running out of steam...

[chdori]

This is a pretty obvious question: so they can warn people. *I want my cookies!!!*

[RailwayVideography]

Note: This is only in the USA. In the UK there are different protocols

[KnoxvilleRailfanProductions]

LOL i already know this because im a "railfan" They have to at every rr crossing 2 long 1 short 1 long unless its a "Quiet Zone" in which all crossings in that zone have to either have Quad Gates or a Median to prevent Gate runners

[BNSF__Productions]

For the last part of the video... they used to split the train in two and make a double trip up the grade, or have a helper unit go up and down the grade... but now they used what is called a Distributive Power Unit, or DPU, these can be located anywhere in the train from the middle of the train to the rear end... just a little more info for viewers who aren’t as experienced with trains.

[InfinityTW]

*who else likes hearing the train from a distance at night while in there house, laying down?*

[fauzirahman]

I guess it varies from country to country.

I'm in Australia and live near a train line. Trains sound once when approaching a crossing and a second time when reaching that crossing.

In Singapore, trains never sound their horn except in an emergency because there are no at grade crossings.