The Importance Of Train Horns To Safety
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by: YvesB.Geller
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Word Count: 464
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.
Air horns were originally used in locomotives; similar to those used on trucks. However, as trains moved to internal combustion engines over steam or coal power, these horns were not loud enough to be heard over the new diesel engines. Truck horns were retooled by engineers at rail companies, with oscillation being used to push air through a power chamber and vibrate against a nozzle to create the sound we all know. The placement of the diaphragm lets more or less air to be pushed through, making for a horn which is louder or softer. Trains built before 1990 still employed the manual pull cord horns (the technique is called feathering). The pull cord allows the engineer to have some control over the volume of the horn. Since this time, trains began using pushbuttons and pedals to control the horn instead.
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.
Each country has its own meaning of the train horn signals. The standard meaning of the train horn signal vary from current state railway networks, while the train horn signals in the United States will vary from different railway companies.
In the U.S., the standard signal given by train horns at a crossing is two long horn sounds, followed by one short and one long. This pattern is repeated until the train has passed the crossing. In Florida, there was a ban on the use of train horns in many locales; however, this ban was lifted in only a few years because of the greatly increased rate of train accidents.
Even though train horns are very annoying there is a definite purpose for them and people should not abuse them; or try to make quite zones where a train horn should be sounded.
About the Author
Yves B. Geller wrote this article. He is primarily a car enthusiast but he carries out his love for cars through vehicle customization. He offers train horns to car, truck and boat owners but he is a firm believer that an air horn should be used responsibly.
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