RAILforum: TRAIN SOUNDS

This is topic TRAIN SOUNDS in forum Model Railroading at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/3/500.html

Posted by ENGINEERBOB (Member # 1835) on :

AIR BREAKS = When do they release them? [When reversing]
AIR HORN = When do the blow the horn?
ALLABORD = I know they do this when the train is leaving, but do they
also do it when it is just the crew coming from the yard?

########################################################

I am trying to model mine as real as I can.

Thanks!

ENGINEERBOB (http://groups.msn.com/SUNNYVALEPLASTICVALE/homepage)
cstrebor@aol.com
God loves you & so do I!

------------------
KEEP TRAINING & GOD LOVES YOU & SO DO I!

Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :

I do not know about the "All Aboard" or the air brakes, but I can give you information on the horns. I use one of those little wooden toy whistles with my model railroad and try to blow it correctly when I am running trains.

Here are some whistle signals. Unfortunately, I did not write down my source like I usually do, but I think they are accurate:
(. = Short , - = Long)

. Apply Brakes
-- Release brakes, Proceed
... When standing, backup. When running, stop at next passenger station
--.- Approaching highway grade crossing
--. Approaching meeting or waiting point of trains
- Approaching station, junction, or railroad crossing
-... Flagman, protect rear of train
...- Flagman, protect front of train
---- Flagman, return from west or south
----- Flagman, return from east or north
.. Answer to any signal not provided for
.... Call for signals
Several short toots=Alarm for persons or livestock on track.

I would guess that radios have replaced the signals used for flagmen now in modern times.

There is a small amusement park near where I live with a train ride. I took my family there, and noticed that the engineers were just blowing random signals. I sent an email to the amusement park suggesting that they follow some official signals, and sent them the same list from above. The amusement park wrote back and thanked me for the signals. They said that they did not know any official signals existed and in the future they would use my signals.

Happy Railroading

------------------
Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale)
www.geocities.com/evrr

Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :

It's interesting (I think) that the parking lot trams at DisneyWorld use similar signals. Two toots for 'proceed' and three for 'reversing'.

Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :

I found a set of signals at www.northwestrailfan.com/Horn.htm. The Union Pacific's site also has a list at http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/signals.shtml

I also wanted to note that the signal for approaching a grade crossing, long-long-short-long, is the Morse Code for "W" and you will see little "W" signs next to the tracks about a quarter mile from such crossings informing the engineer that the train is approaching a crossing and a "W"histle is needed.

Posted by ENGINEERBOB (Member # 1835) on :

Thanks, let me know the next time you go if they do or not.

quote:
Originally posted by Konstantin:
I do not know about the "All Aboard" or the air brakes, but I can give you information on the horns. I use one of those little wooden toy whistles with my model railroad and try to blow it correctly when I am running trains.
Here are some whistle signals. Unfortunately, I did not write down my source like I usually do, but I think they are accurate:
(. = Short , - = Long)
. Apply Brakes
-- Release brakes, Proceed
... When standing, backup. When running, stop at next passenger station
--.- Approaching highway grade crossing
--. Approaching meeting or waiting point of trains
- Approaching station, junction, or railroad crossing
-... Flagman, protect rear of train
...- Flagman, protect front of train
---- Flagman, return from west or south
----- Flagman, return from east or north
.. Answer to any signal not provided for
.... Call for signals
Several short toots=Alarm for persons or livestock on track.
I would guess that radios have replaced the signals used for flagmen now in modern times.
There is a small amusement park near where I live with a train ride. I took my family there, and noticed that the engineers were just blowing random signals. I sent an email to the amusement park suggesting that they follow some official signals, and sent them the same list from above. The amusement park wrote back and thanked me for the signals. They said that they did not know any official signals existed and in the future they would use my signals.
Happy Railroading

------------------
KEEP TRAINING & GOD LOVES YOU & SO DO I!

Posted by ENGINEERBOB (Member # 1835) on :

THANKS!!!!! BTW the first site gave me a 404 file not found,

quote:
Originally posted by Kairho:
I found a set of signals at www.northwestrailfan.com/Horn.htm. The Union Pacific's site also has a list at http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/signals.shtml
I also wanted to note that the signal for approaching a grade crossing, long-long-short-long, is the Morse Code for "W" and you will see little "W" signs next to the tracks about a quarter mile from such crossings informing the engineer that the train is approaching a crossing and a "W"histle is needed.

------------------
KEEP TRAINING & GOD LOVES YOU & SO DO I!

Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :

The board software put a period into the link. Correct:
http://www.northwestrailfan.com/Horn.htm

...or maybe I did. Sorry...

[This message has been edited by Kairho (edited 08-05-2002).]

Posted by ENGINEERBOB (Member # 1835) on :

We all do things like that

quote:
Originally posted by Kairho:
The board software put a period into the link. Correct:
http://www.northwestrailfan.com/Horn.htm
...or maybe I did. Sorry...

[This message has been edited by Kairho (edited 08-05-2002).]

------------------
KEEP TRAINING & GOD LOVES YOU & SO DO I!