# When do trains in US blow their whistles/horns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 15, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328 "2017-07-15T16:38:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/1 "2017-07-15T16:38:38Z")
I know they do it for a road crossing. Are there any other places they do it on a regular basis? A train near me blows their horn and I don’t think they are near a road crossing . There are 2 road bridges over the tracks very close by. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/2 "2017-07-15T16:53:12Z")
2 blasts when starting to move forward, 3 when reversing, repeated short blasts when entering or passing through a work area, or as needed with hazards on the track. 2 long, 1 short, 1 long when approaching a grade crossing, repeated as needed. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/3 "2017-07-15T23:51:01Z")
Excellent to know, there are freights in the city and around it here (Chicago) and they are at least 10 miles away from me, and I still hear them. Now I can visualize what they are doing (I lead a boring life) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/4 "2017-07-16T00:22:31Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > 2 blasts when starting to move forward, 3 when reversing, repeated short blasts when entering or passing through a work area, or as needed with hazards on the track. 2 long, 1 short, 1 long when approaching a grade crossing, repeated as needed. To expand on that, here’s a wiki link with even more. > **[Train horn | United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_horn#United_States)** > > On April 27, 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which enforces rail safety regulations, published the final rule on the use of locomotive horns at highway-rail grade crossings. Effective June 24, 2005, the rule requires that locomotive horns be sounded at all public grade crossings at least 15 seconds, but not more than 20 seconds before entering a crossing. This rule applies when the train speed is below 45 mph (70 km/h). At 45 mph or above, trains are still required to so The patt... ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/5 "2017-07-16T02:02:11Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Excellent to know, there are freights in the city and around it here (Chicago) and they are at least 10 miles away from me, and I still hear them. Now I can visualize what they are doing (I lead a boring life) I just moved to Chicago… we have it lucky here! Where I moved from, the whole town was less than 0.5 miles from end to end and trains – multiple a day – run through the whole night. It’s 3am, BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR HOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK. In Chicago the train noise is diffuse and drowned out… mostly by the shootings 😮 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/6 "2017-07-16T02:25:34Z")
Note that they don’t sound horns at all crossings. “Quiet zones” can be established. Older article : [http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise](http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/7 "2017-07-16T03:55:00Z")
Most of Chicagoland is a Quiet Zone, so you don’t hear as many whistles for grade crossings as might otherwise be required (thank goodness). I live near the South Loop railyards and stations, and most of what I hear seems to be informal warnings (quick short blasts) to workers roaming in the yards. One of the Amtrak guys sounds off across the river around 4 every morning. I think it’s pretty rare nowadays for anyone to know the whistle codes of yesteryear, much less use them. The engineers have a button that automagically sounds — — . — for grade crossings. ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/8 "2017-07-16T15:05:35Z")
I have no citations, only experience. It is my personal belief that engineers will not be reprimanded for acknowledging the classic “kid waving at a train” with a short toot. P.S. Returning a wave is almost mandatory unless the weather is crappy or the cab is buttoned up. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/9 "2017-07-16T15:55:42Z")
One of my hobbies is railroad photography. Usually I go track side far away from civilization. The engineers are almost universally very friendly. At a minimum, when the engine passes we get some horn blasts, bell ringing, and lights flashing. Plus a hand waving out the window. It’s a little thing that I always find sort of thrilling. When my blonde wife is standing nearby, we get double the above attention. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/10 "2017-07-16T21:22:14Z")
> [@campp](#): > > One of my hobbies is railroad photography. Usually I go track side far away from civilization. The engineers are almost universally very friendly. At a minimum, when the engine passes we get some horn blasts, bell ringing, and lights flashing. Plus a hand waving out the window. It’s a little thing that I always find sort of thrilling. > > When my blonde wife is standing nearby, we get double the above attention. Once while railfanning I had a [switch list](http://www.vasonabranch.com/railroad/switchlist-examples.html) tossed out and another time a half-pint container of cool water (we must have looked thirsty). ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/11 "2017-07-16T22:58:49Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Once while railfanning I had a [switch list](http://www.vasonabranch.com/railroad/switchlist-examples.html) tossed out and another time a half-pint container of cool water (we must have looked thirsty). That’s just way too cool. Lucky dog. Once in Flagstaff, two other guys and myself got mooned! :eek: Have the photo to prove it. 😃 BNSF unit. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/12 "2017-07-16T23:28:01Z")
> [@](#): > > When do trains in US blow their whistles/horns? The very instant I get to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/13 "2017-07-16T23:30:35Z")
[Here is an interesting chart I found.](http://www.up.com/aboutup/funstuff/horn_signals/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/14 "2017-07-17T16:03:05Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Note that they don’t sound horns at all crossings. “Quiet zones” can be established. > Older article : > [http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise](http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise) > Brian They have quiet hours here. The horn is muffled somehow. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/15 "2017-07-17T16:05:58Z")
In my area beside the tracks there are concrete pedestals painted white with a black “W” on them, I believe they indicate that the train should blow the horn at that point. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/16 "2017-07-17T16:17:58Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > In my area beside the tracks there are concrete pedestals painted white with a black “W” on them, I believe they indicate that the train should blow the horn at that point. Correct. Those let the engineer know there is a crossing ahead. Some railroads use a W, some use an X. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/17 "2017-07-17T16:29:00Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Note that they don’t sound horns at all crossings. “Quiet zones” can be established. > Older article : > [http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise](http://www.wxow.com/story/17105493/new-quiet-zone-compromise) > > Brian The Argosy Casino in Kansas City (actually Riverside) had a road rebuilt to remove an at-grade crossing just outside a switching yard. Their hotel guests apparently didn’t like the horns blowing all night long less than a mile from their rooms. I don’t know if the casino paid for the whole thing or what. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/18 "2017-08-01T03:39:43Z")
[I found this.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0HZytc1ykM) It’s really complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/19 "2017-08-01T09:57:23Z")
**When do trains in US blow their whistles/horns?** Whenever they’ve done something they are proud of. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328/20 "2017-08-01T12:26:42Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > [Here is an interesting chart I found.](http://www.up.com/aboutup/funstuff/horn_signals/index.htm) Wait a minute - does this mean US trains always give one long horn signal when they have stoppend before an adverse signal, and two long horn signals when the signal has changed and they proceed? The trains I commute with (in SW Germany) stop before a signal (between stations) almost every day at some point (busy lines), and trackside residents would raise hell if trains gave horn signals every time. Are US trackside residents that tolerant? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-trains-in-us-blow-their-whistles-horns/791328.md?page=2)