Train Horn Truths
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by: YvesB.Geller
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Word Count: 441
We cannot underestimate the importance of train horns in the railroad industry. People and other components of traffic are alerted by the sound of the horn announcing a train's approach. It is difficult to bring a large, powerful train to a complete stop, so engineers must have an effective way to alert others when they spot something on the tracks. The unwieldy size and high speed of a train prevent quick stops, resulting in a high potential for danger. For these reasons the use of the train horn is mandatory.
Just as with other safety equipment, the horn needs to be checked often to make sure that it is in proper working order. Before the train sets out, the engineer or other qualified personnel should test the train's horn to make sure that there are no problems with it.
Legal aspects also come into play when it comes to why we need train horns. When heading towards an intersection, a train has to sound the horn in a certain repetition to warn any drivers or pedestrians. This rule also applies to before a train comes to a bridge. Even though people are well aware of the dangers of crossing a train bridge, it is still done. Because of that reason, the horn on the train needs to be sounded ahead of time to give anyone who has tried to cross the bridge a chance to make it back off. Unfortunately, there are still incidents in which people are hurt or even killed due to lack of common sense.
Yet another purpose of the train horn is a way to communicate with personnel on duty at the train station. At times when radio or other communications may not be working, the engineer can activate the train horn so that station personnel know the train is nearing the station. At many stations which lack up-to-date communications systems, this is especially important.
While it is true that train horns serve an important safety function, they are also known to evoke nostalgia among enthusiasts. Over the years many people have waxed emotional at the sound of a train horn. The horn has been memorialized in inspiring artwork ranging from paintings to historical literature. Writers have immortalized the romance of the train horn.
The train horn with its dual purpose as both safety device and historical artifact serves us invaluably. These horns are vital to safety in residential areas proximal to train tracks. Business zones carry a lesser danger because trains are not so unexpected. But the potential for danger still exists if the train horn does not provide that crucial sound of alert.
About the Author
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 an air horn should be used responsibly.
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