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Cynthia
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« on: January 28, 2014, 23:53:50 » |
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Now, here's a trivial enquiry if ever there was one. Where I live, to the south of Melksham I regularly hear trains passing. Sometimes they beep their horns (?) and sometimes I just hear that nice trundling train-on-the-tracks sound. Now, when we used to have proper trains, you'd hear a delightful whistle to accompany the myriad other wonderful noises that steam engines issued forth. So, how is that ghastly two-tone flatulent utterance described, that diesel engines sound?! There used to be lots of track-side signs one could see from the train reading "Whistle" (there probably still are?) but somehow I can't imagine the train drivers of today being instructed to sound the train's 'whistle'. Talking of flatulence, it would give credence to the line in the song that goes 'The runaway train ran down the track and she BLEW'  Oh dear, trust me to lower the tone of the site..... |
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2014, 00:10:13 » |
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Information on ' Noise from the railway' is available on the Network Rail website.  Whistle boards
These are used at footpath crossings where it is not possible for pedestrians to see approaching trains. When the train passes a board, the driver must sound the horn so that pedestrians know a train is coming.
Because people use our crossings at all times of day and night, drivers have to sound the horn regardless of the time of day.
We're trying to reduce the number of whistle boards but we can^t remove them where there^s no other option as they^re essential to pedestrians^ safety.
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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thetrout
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« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2014, 14:43:48 » |
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I think the horn sound is known as 'two tone'
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JayMac
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« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2014, 15:25:51 » |
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And this is what the modern lineside whistle board looks like:  |
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« Last Edit: January 29, 2014, 23:06:25 by bignosemac »
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Cynthia
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« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2014, 22:23:41 » |
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And this is what the modern lineside whistle board looks like:  Clicked on the little symbol here and nothing happened....... I'm sure I shall come across a modern whistle board in my anticipated travels, but thanks anyway, BNM. |
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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Electric train
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« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2014, 22:31:44 » |
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The old "sound Whistle" now means "sound Warning"
The reason for the 2 tone is all to do with Doppler shift us humans have difficulty in determining direction and distance of a single tone the 2 tone a high and low note allows us to determine direction and distance, its the same reason fire, police and ambulance use 2 and even multi tone warnings
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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Cynthia
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« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2014, 22:45:56 » |
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The reason for the 2 tone is all to do with Doppler shift us humans have difficulty in determining direction and distance of a single tone the 2 tone a high and low note allows us to determine direction and distance, its the same reason fire, police and ambulance use 2 and even multi tone warnings
[/quote]
A steam train thundering down the track would make more noise than one of the modern-day little diesels, so I suppose a simple whistle was quite adequate in its day.
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2014, 22:56:40 » |
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You may also be interested to read an article on this subject on the 'deathbyhealthandsafety' website.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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bobm
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« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2014, 23:04:43 » |
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Rather disappointed by the photo in that article. Whether it is photoshopped or not it appears to show someone not only standing in the four foot but also having their boot on a piece of railway equipment.  |
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JayMac
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« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2014, 23:07:44 » |
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Clicked on the little symbol here and nothing happened.......
Sorry about that. Original link was somewhat temperamental. Have now re-uploaded the image. |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2014, 23:12:50 » |
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Rather disappointed by the photo in that article. Whether it is photoshopped or not it appears to show someone not only standing in the four foot but also having their boot on a piece of railway equipment. Hmm. That particular website is run by a couple of people who are both very experienced / qualified in railway safety. Their style of posting is fairly provocative - and thus thought-provoking. I commend them - while taking their input with the necessary 'pinch of salt'.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Cynthia
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« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2014, 23:20:24 » |
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I did try the link, thanks, but not sure I was reading the right article! Didn't seem much like bedtime reading to me so I'm afraid I'll give that a miss! BNM: Thanks for piccie of trackside sign; it still says W for whistle! |
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2014, 23:27:27 » |
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'W' for 'Warning', as Electric train has pointed out. |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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