Train Horns History
Railroad engineers use train horns to scare wild animals away from the track to prevent a possible accident. They also use the train horn to notify motorists that the train is approaching a crossing. Sometimes the train horn is used to signal other railroad workers when work is needed on the tracks.
In the beginning, the train horns were simply air horns from trucks. They suffered from one major flaw though: the engine was louder than the horn. For this reason a new horn was created, and it used what is known as oscillation. From that point on, oscillating train horns have been in use. From the nineties onward, trains stopped using a cord for the train horn, and now they use a pedal, making it much easier for the engineer to sound the horn.
While train horns were not created for the individual, there was a time when train horns were quite popular among motorists. It was quite common to hear a train horn sound as one went down the road, but when they looked they could see no train. The accident began to mount up, and finally laws were passed which made it illegal for automobile users to sound train horns.
Every European country have their own meaning for the sounds that a train horn makes, this is left up to the railroad company in the country. Whereas, in France it may be one set of sounds, and in Italy it may be a completely different set of signals. If a railway company has systems in more than one country the signals may be the same in both countries, however this also is designated by the rules of each country as well as by the railroad company. The train horn signals in the United States have their own meanings.
In the 1800’s after all the train robberies by Jessie James and other not so famous outlaws, the railroad company asked the courts for a no stop law. This meant that the train always had the right of way, and they did not have to stop or slow down for any reason.
Suddenly it became commonplace for people to complain about the train noise. It wasn’t the engine, and it wasn’t the shaking of the ground as the train went by. Rather people were upset about the train horn. In Florida people petitioned for a ‘quiet zone’ in communities where trains would not be able to sound off. It worked, and for a while trains were not allowed to sound their horns in such areas. This eventually led to accidents in disturbingly increasing numbers. In light of this situation, the ban had to be lifted, and new laws were put into place. Instead of restricting the train, they began to restrict the way automobiles would at around a train. In fact, flashing arms were added to many railroad crossings, and laws had to be tightened because drivers would simply drive around the arms. Now one thing needs to be abundantly clear. These laws are not in place to inconvenience us in any way. They are here to protect us, and if we decide to go head to head with a train, we take a serious risk.
Yves B. Geller wrote this article. He is primarily a car enthusiast but he carries out his passion for cars through vehicle customization. He offers train horns to car, truck and boat owners but he is a firm believer that a train horn should be used responsibly.
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