Better Gas Mileage

Train horns have been in use as long as have locomotives. They are used by engineers to alert motorists and pedestrians that the train is nearing a crossing, to inform passengers that the train will be departing the station and of course, to clear animals off of the tracks before a train comes through. Train horns are used by rail company workers during switching operations and when performing track work to let approaching trains know of their presence.

Locomotives used air horns, much like those used by trucks back when trains were coal or steam powered. With the advent of diesel engines in locomotives, these horns were not powerful enough to be heard above the noise of the engines. Truck horns were improved upon by engineers; oscillation was implemented to push air through a power chamber and against a nozzle to create the familiar sound of a train horn. Where the diaphragm is placed affects how much air can be pushed through the horn, making the sound of the horn more or less loud. Until around 1990, a technique known as “feathering” was used employing the manual pull cord to modulate the sound of the horns. Since the early 1990’s push buttons and pedals mounted in the floor of the cab have become the norm to control the horns.

In recent times, train horns have been growing in popularity with the customized car and truck set as an addition to their vehicles. These horns are not typically made for use in cars and trucks, since they are likely to cause accidents when used in traffic. In many locales, their use in vehicles is illegal (check your local laws!). In many municipalities, quiet zones have been established where train horns may not be used except in the event of emergencies. These bans have had the unforeseen and tragic effect of causing many accidents where pedestrians and motorists have not heard a train coming.

The sounds of train horns differ in meaning from rail company to rail company, as well as from country to country.

In the United States, the pattern for train horn signals at a crossing is two long, one short and one long, which will be repeated until the train has crossed the railway crossing. Florida had put a ban on locomotive horn use because of quiet zones that had been established, and after a few years had to lift the ban due to the enormous rate of accidents that had accrued during the ban.

Although many find train horns irritating, they have a very important purpose and hopefully quiet zones will fall into disuse as people come to understand the importance of train horns.

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