It’s called a wayside horn. It centralizes the sound of a “train horn” right at both sides of the crossing where vehicles stop, rather than having trains blow their horns for the whole town to hear.
Hmm, so an entire town's worth of children are deprived, potentially on a daily basis, of the joy of hearing a train's horn. Only getting to hear it if they are lucky enough to be in a car at that crossing when a train comes by. Such a sad state of affairs. However, that sentiment aside, thank you for telling us what this device is called and how it functions.
@@pauld6967 The town I live in is built on a grid pattern. There are 13 crossing within 2 miles and the trains blow at every single crossing. I'd much rather have wayside horns. The track that goes through town is the main line between the Houston Ship Channel and the southern coastal region of Texas. It's super busy, the trains run all day and night.
@@kansascityshuffle8526 to satisfy some politician,or "wellto do" who cried about the noise if you look there is one direction the horns do not blow toward but a regular horn would
Looks like maybe the horns are highly directional, to aim the sound where it needs to be instead of waking the folks in that subdivision. They would get reflections, but far less invasive than the direct blast from the engine at second-story level.
That is what I was thinking, that way it takes it out of the engineers hands to know of it’s ok to blow the horn or not, just let the signals decide. And also they do look directional. 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂
@@thomasmleahy6218 True enough, and most railway warning systems are "fail-safe," meaning most equipment failures in the sensing systems will cause a signal to operate.
I run Bellevue to Conway. We have those X's on our quiet crossings, but no horns on the poles. They let us know the system is working as intended. No flashing X means blow the horn.
Yeah, these get installed nowadays where the crossing is too dangerous to be completely "no horn" zoned but the actual train horn triggers the residents. They sound like an amplified model train horn sound effect though, lol. The little horns are focused right where the cars are before the crossing so it puts the noise only where it's needed.
@@daar1113 It amuses me to no end how people knowingly move into a house or apartment next to a railroad, then have the audacity to complain about the noise! Are they really that ignorant??
I was there years ago when I was a truck driver. I do not see the appeal of these things. They often sound more times than the train would have. If you ask me, the train horn is better.
They sound more times, but they are quieter and cover a smaller distance. It's like only waxing your floor instead of the walls, roof, and appliances like a normal train horn would.
Brother, that was a first for me on the horns. I noticed the train still rang its bell. Great dedication on your part. That's why your show is the best and so unique--thanks!
At 4:12 there's an old Southern boxcar. You don't see them much any more. If you see one with green inside the O in Southern, that's even rarer. Greg in TN
Springfield Illinois is horn restricted (28 crossings) - They went to a different approach - They double-gated both sides of the track - You can't go around without breaking a gate -
In Rocklin CA some of the silent crossings were built with concrete islands dividing the street, to make it nearly impossible to drive around the gates. There are other special requirements that make the silent crossings more expensive, and I understand the local municipality/county has to fund it.
This particular crossing is the only one where another street makes a T. Main and Walter. It would be very inconvenient for traffic on Walter that wished to go East if it was double gated, as they aren't affected by a train. If you notice, the horns are pointed at oncoming traffic.
I asked on the Kearney chat why they took them down. Because the residents were weary of the things blowing incessantly when the signal got stuck no train in sight. ... I think they're still present at the other crossing in Kearney (too far from the cam to see). That's what the flashing red 'X's are about. Signal to the train crew that they don't have to blow because the horns at the crossing are active.
Hey I'm originally from Springfield! I remember all the Conrail trains going through there. Plus there was a lot more traffic on the old DT&I as well. I don't know if they still go out to the NS main to the west of Springfield any more.
That was so cool you were in my hometown I grew up. I now live about 10 minutes out of Springfield wish I known you were there I came in and said hi. I cannot remember how many years ago but the people of Springfield specially along the railroad tracks we're complaining about the horns being so loud so these are automatic horns now and it's been like that for a while and actually the road in the background i had a family member die there from getting hit by the train coming in town that's why they go so slow coming in town now because there's been so many people hit over the years stay safe and have a good day 👍👍
Interestingly, in the U.K., this is the norm. Trains very rarely use their horns (or bells) at crossings. Instead, the crossing will have barriers, lights and a sort of siren sound.
i have watched a lot of cab cams from eastern European countries. If they blow their horn at all its a full half kilometer before the grade crossings and only one blast.
That was really nice, the horn exactly sounds like a train horn, but it was a little different, train crews must be happy they don't need to get the horn done! I also went to Franklin yesterday to meet up with a friend, crew saw me filming cause I was lucky to catch one, didn't get yelled at, strange
You shouldn't get any static, if you're not on their property. You'd be surprised how many mouthbreathers don't understand that the laws of physics don't give a flip about silly humans' photography intentions. 🥴 🤟🏽🐻
Hey Springfield is my town!! So cool to see you here, very proud of this town!!! That's so awesome! Yesterday I just caught an eastbound going thru downtown with a DPU on the rear! So cool, never seen NS do that before! Maybe I could've seen you out filming that day if I knew you were here:) great video
I think that they have placed microphones down track to pick up the train horn. The units on the poles are actually speakers that are high volume projectors. Note the timing as to where the engine is per the rule of hornblow at crossings.
@Dan C. No, it's not a recording. It is an electronically-generated sound which approximately imitates the sound of a train horn. It is then amplified and sent to the loudspeakers.
@Dan C. It is NOT a recording . Subject a real train horn and this horn to an oscilloscope. You will see clearly the difference in waveforms. Also listen to the crossing horns in Kearney, NE. They are not recordings, either, but electronically generated.
Wayside horn. A stationary horn located at a highway rail grade crossing, designed to provide, upon the approach of a locomotive or train, audible warning to oncoming motorists of the approach of a train. The flashing X lets the engineer know the horn is working. First time I saw one, was in Kearney NE. The theory is to direct the sound right at the traffic, so it isn't as loud for the neighborhood.
A Wayside horn. I’ve seen them in Lubbock, TX, and Southern California. One of them at San Clemente Pier plays a steam whistle instead of a horn. Awesome video!
I have reconize these Wayside horns in Springfield, OH! I have never heard thoese type of Wayside horns before since the ones in Washington State don't sound like that
Oh wow!! I've never seen anything like these crossing horns. Never knew how those 'rail trucks' got themselves on and off the rails, until now! I prefer the good ol' fashioned train engine horns myself, but this was pretty unique. Thank you!! Love that pup too 💓.
you do know there are trains outside of the US, right? As in every country outside of the US has trains. Our trains are unique of course and I'm here watching trains with you, but ours kinda suck. Slow antiques. Our country is beautiful and enormous. We deserve better trains.
First time to learn a railroad crossing uses a horn on pole instead of the locomotive honking it's horn. Thanks for bringing this method to light. Awesome JT.
Awesome Jawtooth! I thought I'd seen it all, this horn system is a new one on me! Love the old signal's still being used! Great video! Thanks for sharing!
They had this set up in Kearny Nebraska on virtual rail fan. They removed it but there’s still an automatic horn at the next crossing east of the one on VR.
Great video - thanks for waiting for a train for us! I have never seen anything like that horn. Pretty redundant to the gate, lights, bell and actual train horn, so I imagine that there is a backstory here for why the horn was needed. Maybe the mayor's son-in-law owned the horn company. Loved Chessie with that cup!
Trains sound their horns even when approaching crossings with the bells and lights, so (just guessing here) it seems like this would be a way to contain the noise at the intersection instead of allowing it to disturb the nearby neighborhood. They'll still hear it, of course, but from far away, even if the train is close.
Around here, there's about a dozen crossing in a spot called Brompton--private drives. The horn would blow most of the way into Leeds. A subdivision went up, now there's no horn until the street crossings in Leeds. So I can still hear the 5 am is the wind is blowing right.
A crossing in Kearney, NE had that setup for some time. Just recently, Union Pacific deactivated the horns. I believe the crossing is still “no horn” area for trains.
@@tehpw7574 they’ve been around for a decade but they are commonly used in big city’s or big towns. Really anywhere that’s heavily populated to reduce noise
UP does this a lot when the crossing is not a divided crossing. (where there is a physical divide between vehicle traffic lanes). Several in DeKalb, Illinois. The e-Horns have a more targeted noise pattern (down the street) rather than waking the whole town with the train horn.
I've seen them for years at various UP and BNSF crossings in various areas. They're really useful on busy multi-track crossings and in areas with noise ordinances. They even signal for each train when multiple trains pass each other at a multi-track crossing. Edit: I first saw them in Kearney, Nebraska, along one of UP's major East-West lines, back in 2002. All the main crossings had them. There's also a park in Steilacoom, Washington, that has a pedestrian crossing with these on it.
JT's getting up into my part of the state. A good place to train watch would be the parking lots around the Kuss Auditorium downtown. The main line runs right next to them. It's a good bet that High-Rail came from the MOW facility in Fairborn between Dayton and Springfield.
I think they have a specific pattern and blow for a certain amount of time. Some of the engineers overe hear get excessive on the horn, and blow it well past the grade crossing (and not just eziting rhe crossing, but a 1/4 mile past), upsetting residents. With this type of set up, the horn is automated and blows as needed.
We have those in Ames, IA where there are multiple tracks and multiple trains passing. They use them in areas where there are high traffic and residential. If you had to listen to trains blasting their horns all day, you’d definitely appreciate the signals blasting the horns. They are directed towards the traffic and you can barely hear them indoors. They are very nice
@@Its_just_Dave. Surprisingly, you can get used to the horns. Think about the people who live in cities next to an ell train. Though excessive horn blasting of some engineers does make sense, also if the crossing's are close/frequent enough. Could solve the excessive horn problem by having button on the console that automates the crossing signal, though this would take away the engineer showing his/her personality. Btw: the crossing signal is the letter _Q_ in International Morse Code.
@@JV-pu8kx I personally don’t mind the train horns. Think of other instances that contestant train horns would be a problem such as daycares with napping children, schools or business where you need to hear what people are saying, elderly napping or crocheting in their rockers, restaurants where people gather to talk, just to name a few.
This definitely a unique railroad crossing. As you were talking about using the horns attached to the poles at the crossing rather than the horn on the train to warn of the approaching train, I was thinking that this was probably done because the neighbors were complaining about the load train horns. There was still a need for a warning that the train was coming so they compromised and installed these horns which are less noisy than the blasts of the train horn. Thank you for taking the time to document the historical sign and the National Road milepost. I had heard of the National Road in the past. The information on the plaque and seeing the mile post was wonderful to see from a historical aspect. Thank you for documenting this unique railroad crossing and for showing us the historical plaque on the National Road and the National Road Mile Post.
@@emjeebutterz4405 Exactly. Nothing better than a classy K5HL horn tumbling down the line at night waking everybody up just for the safety of their own people.
There are signs posted along the trackway, aprox. 1/8 Mi. before intersections that require horns. The signs are reflective green squares, with a reflective white "W" for whistle here in Ms. 🤟🏽🐻
Its called physical characteristics. Kinda like knowing the route you drive everyday to and from work. Plus there are signs I'm sure for the horn exemption
In Escalon CA there are four crossings in a row with the “quiet zone horn” on the BNSF. They put them in about 10 years ago. Ironically the old Tidewater Southern line adjacent still blows its horn whenever it comes through.
I've seen this before! In use too! Torrington, Wyoming, the horn seemed close and quieter than the norm, come to notice the big mega phones on the crossing. In Fact, I have a clip of it with the horn going off, speaker in frame, train going by. Snapped a clip of it for the intro of the abandoned Shopko Hometown that is in Torrington, Wy!
This is the first crossing I have seen or heard of in operation. Probably about 25 to 30 years ago there was talk of putting horns on the crossings at the UP in New Orleans. But none have been installed that I know of.
Never seen a horn on a post before. It just takes away the excitement of the situation. We've got a quiet zone near me in Four Oaks NC. Funny to watch a train fly through town with no horns. Great video. 😎👍👌
I am pretty surprised that the sheriff at the beginning didn't stop and yell at you for shooting video of him going by! Hey copper, I am on the sidewalk!!!!!!
That sound the speaker made was not what I was expecting :) not sure what I was expecting :) thank you for the information on the road! Love that kind of stuff.
Train horns ON the crossing...welp, that’s a new one. It definitely pegged the needle on my Weird-Stuff-O-Meter for the day...maybe even the week! Great catch, and stay safe out there!
When I saw the speeding cop car at the beginning I thought they were coming for you. 😂 The idea of having the train horn on a pole at the crossing is another bad one. Talk about gilding the lily. It also makes everything dependent on the crossing. What if there’s a malfunction and the horn and gates don’t work? What then? We’ve seen it before when crossing gates malfunction. Just tune into your channel. You have a few videos covering it. I do have to doff my engineer’s hat to you for finding this. Only you seem to find anomalies like this and it’s another reason I subscribe. Thanks again for another entertaining video.
This is why I like your videos - you show the most unusual and interesting stuff. Thanks for showing this. You aren't anywhere near Brea, OH are you? I'd love to see some action down by the old train station (which was converted to a really good retaurant - hope they survived the COOF lockdowns)
Its great to see they have a alternative set in place because most of the time buses and cars and even people can’t hear the real train horn so it’s nice they put one at the crossing so it’s easier to hear
It’s called a wayside horn. It centralizes the sound of a “train horn” right at both sides of the crossing where vehicles stop, rather than having trains blow their horns for the whole town to hear.
Hmm, so an entire town's worth of children are deprived, potentially on a daily basis, of the joy of hearing a train's horn. Only getting to hear it if they are lucky enough to be in a car at that crossing when a train comes by.
Such a sad state of affairs.
However, that sentiment aside, thank you for telling us what this device is called and how it functions.
Types of wayside horns that i know:
K3H
steam whistle
1st gen K5HL
I still heard it from home and I live in Canada that's loud..
Oh. I forgot it on you tube Silly me lol
@@pauld6967 The town I live in is built on a grid pattern. There are 13 crossing within 2 miles and the trains blow at every single crossing. I'd much rather have wayside horns. The track that goes through town is the main line between the Houston Ship Channel and the southern coastal region of Texas. It's super busy, the trains run all day and night.
There used to be one at the 5th Ave crossing in Kearney, Nebraska but it was removed in 2020
I’d MUCH rather hear a real train horn, but interesting to know this is a thing.
ช
For noise control.
Lame if you ask me
@@richharris9489 if...
@@kansascityshuffle8526 to satisfy some politician,or "wellto do" who cried about the noise if you look there is one direction the horns do not blow toward but a regular horn would
Ha! I thought the cop car siren was the horn for a minute. That was unique and interesting,
I thought the same thing, until I saw the Police Car.
We have cop cars with similar sirens here, otherwise I’d have thought the same thing and gone WTF about it too!
Yeah, that would definitely get people to stop ahead of the tracks. :)
In Springfield they dont want the train horns to out blast the police sirens that are always going on.
The 1st time I watched this I also thought that cop siren was the horn
That's an interesting way of complying with a no horns ordinance.
Looks like maybe the horns are highly directional, to aim the sound where it needs to be instead of waking the folks in that subdivision. They would get reflections, but far less invasive than the direct blast from the engine at second-story level.
That is what I was thinking, that way it takes it out of the engineers hands to know of it’s ok to blow the horn or not, just let the signals decide. And also they do look directional. 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂
@@paulcrumley9756 Could be very annoying if the xing became active and stayed on (malfunction).
@@thomasmleahy6218 True enough, and most railway warning systems are "fail-safe," meaning most equipment failures in the sensing systems will cause a signal to operate.
In my opinion it sounds horrible 😅
I guess the red X is to tell the engineers "Don't blow your horn. We horns on the pole got this"
Yes, basically it tells the engineers know if the Wayside Horn is activated.
I run Bellevue to Conway. We have those X's on our quiet crossings, but no horns on the poles. They let us know the system is working as intended. No flashing X means blow the horn.
The X is ORANGE btw
Yes. And if not flashing the locomotive takes over with his horn.
That not TRUE if the stupid orange X is flashing the trains can still blow their horns if they want
I was a signalman for 38 years . That is the first time i have ever seen that.
Watch VRF, Kearney NE.!
Local citizens complained about the actual train horns being too loud, according to a commenter.
Yeah, these get installed nowadays where the crossing is too dangerous to be completely "no horn" zoned but the actual train horn triggers the residents. They sound like an amplified model train horn sound effect though, lol. The little horns are focused right where the cars are before the crossing so it puts the noise only where it's needed.
@@daar1113 It amuses me to no end how people knowingly move into a house or apartment next to a railroad, then have the audacity to complain about the noise! Are they really that ignorant??
@@erzahler1930 Haha, yeah. Same for those who buy a house under the flight path of an existing airport and then complain about the planes taking off.
I was there years ago when I was a truck driver. I do not see the appeal of these things. They often sound more times than the train would have. If you ask me, the train horn is better.
The electric horns are directional and just cover the roadway, where the train horn is loud citywide and for miles
I think its more to do with the distance the sound travels and its volume, rather than the number of times the train horn is sounded
It sounds like they stuck the train into a plastic bin.
They sound more times, but they are quieter and cover a smaller distance.
It's like only waxing your floor instead of the walls, roof, and appliances like a normal train horn would.
You never cease in finding the rare and interesting. Hats off to you for this one.
Brother, that was a first for me on the horns. I noticed the train still rang its bell. Great dedication on your part. That's why your show is the best and so unique--thanks!
weird. and neat! 📢📢
Love your railroad
Your a youtuber😄
Cool
That’s a wayside horn
not that weird
At 4:12 there's an old Southern boxcar. You don't see them much any more. If you see one with green inside the O in Southern, that's even rarer. Greg in TN
Saw it !
Good catch! Rare now, indeed...
I don't think I've ever seen a crossing with a horn. Great video!
I have crossed that crossing 100's of times and never knew that. Thanks, Jaw Tooth.
🚂🚂You can always count on Jawtooth to bring us something interesting everyday. Thanks Jawtooth.🚂🚂🚂
Maybe the area has some sort of loud noise ordinance in place. The simulated train horn helps with compliance.
Springfield Illinois is horn restricted (28 crossings) - They went to a different approach - They double-gated both sides of the track - You can't go around without breaking a gate -
Now they need to put cameras at the crossing to catch violators and send them a fat ticket.
In Rocklin CA some of the silent crossings were built with concrete islands dividing the street, to make it nearly impossible to drive around the gates. There are other special requirements that make the silent crossings more expensive, and I understand the local municipality/county has to fund it.
This particular crossing is the only one where another street makes a T. Main and Walter. It would be very inconvenient for traffic on Walter that wished to go East if it was double gated, as they aren't affected by a train. If you notice, the horns are pointed at oncoming traffic.
That is known as "Four Quadrant Protection."
Interesting & unique..thank you for the video & for your dedication!!
We have them here in the Woodbridge New Jersey area on the old Port Reading line now used by Norfolk Southern
Great catch those are Wayside Horns
Similar to Kearney, Nebraska on Virtual Railfan. Good action mate, always sticking around for more live action.
They recently took down the horns. VR had a video of taking down the flashing X. I think they put in the lane separations.
I asked on the Kearney chat why they took them down. Because the residents were weary of the things blowing incessantly when the signal got stuck no train in sight. ... I think they're still present at the other crossing in Kearney (too far from the cam to see). That's what the flashing red 'X's are about. Signal to the train crew that they don't have to blow because the horns at the crossing are active.
Hey I'm originally from Springfield! I remember all the Conrail trains going through there. Plus there was a lot more traffic on the old DT&I as well. I don't know if they still go out to the NS main to the west of Springfield any more.
That was so cool you were in my hometown I grew up. I now live about 10 minutes out of Springfield wish I known you were there I came in and said hi. I cannot remember how many years ago but the people of Springfield specially along the railroad tracks we're complaining about the horns being so loud so these are automatic horns now and it's been like that for a while and actually the road in the background i had a family member die there from getting hit by the train coming in town that's why they go so slow coming in town now because there's been so many people hit over the years stay safe and have a good day 👍👍
Interestingly, in the U.K., this is the norm. Trains very rarely use their horns (or bells) at crossings. Instead, the crossing will have barriers, lights and a sort of siren sound.
i have watched a lot of cab cams from eastern European countries. If they blow their horn at all its a full half kilometer before the grade crossings and only one blast.
Wait does UK elecs have bells?(I live in UK but I dunno do we have bells on locos)
@@trainman3984 we don’t have bells on locos
Alarm
That was really nice, the horn exactly sounds like a train horn, but it was a little different, train crews must be happy they don't need to get the horn done! I also went to Franklin yesterday to meet up with a friend, crew saw me filming cause I was lucky to catch one, didn't get yelled at, strange
You shouldn't get any static,
if you're not on their property.
You'd be surprised how many mouthbreathers don't understand that the laws of physics don't give a flip about silly humans' photography intentions. 🥴 🤟🏽🐻
Hey Springfield is my town!! So cool to see you here, very proud of this town!!! That's so awesome! Yesterday I just caught an eastbound going thru downtown with a DPU on the rear! So cool, never seen NS do that before! Maybe I could've seen you out filming that day if I knew you were here:) great video
I was thinking that the horns wouldn’t imitate a train horn, but instead have it be like an e-bell.
I think that they have placed microphones down track to pick up the train horn. The units on the poles are actually speakers that are high volume projectors. Note the timing as to where the engine is per the rule of hornblow at crossings.
@@thomasgrace1268 Yeah, that's way too complicated. I'm sure, as others have said, it's just a recording.
@Dan C. No, it's not a recording. It is an electronically-generated sound which approximately imitates the sound of a train horn. It is then amplified and sent to the loudspeakers.
@Dan C. It is NOT a recording . Subject a real train horn and this horn to an oscilloscope. You will see clearly the difference in waveforms. Also listen to the crossing horns in Kearney, NE. They are not recordings, either, but electronically generated.
@@PaulCashman Thanks, Paul, I didn't know that. It's been a while since I checked in to Kearney.
Wayside horn. A stationary horn located at a highway rail grade
crossing, designed to provide, upon the
approach of a locomotive or train, audible
warning to oncoming motorists of the approach
of a train. The flashing X lets the engineer know the horn is working. First time I saw one, was in Kearney NE. The theory is to direct the sound right at the traffic, so it isn't as loud for the neighborhood.
Six hour wait?!? You sure are a true dedicated railfan legend. Lawn chair and a case of Yuengling may be necessary required equipment going forward.
Yuenglings Chesterfield Ale works for me!
@@danewald2388 Hershey Chocolate Porter. Still delicious even after it warms up a bit. Stobe would not complain about the beer being warm as often.
A Wayside horn. I’ve seen them in Lubbock, TX, and Southern California. One of them at San Clemente Pier plays a steam whistle instead of a horn. Awesome video!
I have reconize these Wayside horns in Springfield, OH! I have never heard thoese type of Wayside horns before since the ones in Washington State don't sound like that
Nice! This is called a wayside horn, it so trains don't have to blow their horns, and the crossing does it for them. Great video!
This is the Best video ever Brian . I have never seen a Railroad Crossing With Horns . They Sound Amazing. We have those signals in Los Angeles.
They have the same thing at a crossing in Wallingford, CT! Weirdest thing I’ve ever heard!
Great videos Jaw Tooth!
Oh wow!! I've never seen anything like these crossing horns. Never knew how those 'rail trucks' got themselves on and off the rails, until now! I prefer the good ol' fashioned train engine horns myself, but this was pretty unique. Thank you!! Love that pup too 💓.
😮 a very comfy device for the engineer! Great video! Thank you very much Mr. Jaw Tooth!
I've never even heard of it.
Thanks, JT! I see she's an Arby's dog. lol
Fascinating. Will be on the lookout for similar signal horns in other "No Train Horn" towns.
There’s nothing more beautiful than watching a train passing an intersection with an American flag blowing in the wind I love it Jaw tooth 😎🪄✨🇺🇸🚂⚡️❤️
Its the small town America feeling that i love
you do know there are trains outside of the US, right? As in every country outside of the US has trains. Our trains are unique of course and I'm here watching trains with you, but ours kinda suck. Slow antiques. Our country is beautiful and enormous. We deserve better trains.
Thanks for sharing, thumbs up 🖒
First time to learn a railroad crossing uses a horn on pole instead of the locomotive honking it's horn. Thanks for bringing this method to light. Awesome JT.
This is very very very cool I have never seen anything like this I like when the actual train honks its horn .
Awesome Jawtooth! I thought I'd seen it all, this horn system is a new one on me! Love the old signal's still being used! Great video! Thanks for sharing!
I have never seen anything like this until now. Strange, but cool. Thank you, Jaw Tooth 😊
You have outdone yourself again JT, thanks for sharing this video!
Horns on the pole at the crossing - nope, that's new to me!
New one for me, always great videos🤗
They had this set up in Kearny Nebraska on virtual rail fan. They removed it but there’s still an automatic horn at the next crossing east of the one on VR.
Great video - thanks for waiting for a train for us! I have never seen anything like that horn. Pretty redundant to the gate, lights, bell and actual train horn, so I imagine that there is a backstory here for why the horn was needed. Maybe the mayor's son-in-law owned the horn company. Loved Chessie with that cup!
Trains sound their horns even when approaching crossings with the bells and lights, so (just guessing here) it seems like this would be a way to contain the noise at the intersection instead of allowing it to disturb the nearby neighborhood. They'll still hear it, of course, but from far away, even if the train is close.
That's kool!! Love the ol'skool signals
THEY ARE NOT OLD!!!
@@gamingvoid09 what are U shouting g about
They are not old
Cheers mate again I love this a granny from UK I did go to Tennessee I love them railroad trains but they give me the craps so big and loud
Horn sounds exactly like my Lionel. Wish mine was that loud though.
Just need an amp... lol
Around here, there's about a dozen crossing in a spot called Brompton--private drives. The horn would blow most of the way into Leeds. A subdivision went up, now there's no horn until the street crossings in Leeds. So I can still hear the 5 am is the wind is blowing right.
Here in Colorado, there are two known crossings with the wayside horn. One of which is a light rail crossing that I've filmed.
There’s actually three confirmed; one in Commerce City, one on the Joint Line, and one at the light rail crossing you mentioned.
@@PlyingKibbles89 I think you're right on that. Is the 3rd crossing you're thinking of that one along US-85 in Castle Rock?
A crossing in Kearney, NE had that setup for some time. Just recently, Union Pacific deactivated the horns. I believe the crossing is still “no horn” area for trains.
Thank you for taking the time to get those horns blasting.
That was a new one to me.
Nope, never seen that before. Very clever. 🚂
Where I railfan, those wayside horns are at every crossing but they sound a little different.
Is that a new thing the various rail lines use now? or plan to?
@@tehpw7574 they’ve been around for a decade but they are commonly used in big city’s or big towns. Really anywhere that’s heavily populated to reduce noise
very cool! never seen that before!
Are you sponsored by attorney Michael Wright? His billboards are conveniently popping up a lot 😂
Wayside horns,like at Kearney NE. Sweet searchlight signals!!
Now there is something I've never seen - or heard - before. And I'm old so one does not expect that.
UP does this a lot when the crossing is not a divided crossing. (where there is a physical divide between vehicle traffic lanes). Several in DeKalb, Illinois. The e-Horns have a more targeted noise pattern (down the street) rather than waking the whole town with the train horn.
I've seen them for years at various UP and BNSF crossings in various areas. They're really useful on busy multi-track crossings and in areas with noise ordinances. They even signal for each train when multiple trains pass each other at a multi-track crossing.
Edit: I first saw them in Kearney, Nebraska, along one of UP's major East-West lines, back in 2002. All the main crossings had them. There's also a park in Steilacoom, Washington, that has a pedestrian crossing with these on it.
JT's getting up into my part of the state. A good place to train watch would be the parking lots around the Kuss Auditorium downtown. The main line runs right next to them. It's a good bet that High-Rail came from the MOW facility in Fairborn between Dayton and Springfield.
That’s a new one on me for sure
Gee that makes a lot of sense, having a "no train horn zone" and replacing it with a train horn!! Pure Genius!!!
I know, and so cost-effective to!
Very interesting! I wonder why they didn't just use the horns on the train.
I think they have a specific pattern and blow for a certain amount of time. Some of the engineers overe hear get excessive on the horn, and blow it well past the grade crossing (and not just eziting rhe crossing, but a 1/4 mile past), upsetting residents. With this type of set up, the horn is automated and blows as needed.
We have those in Ames, IA where there are multiple tracks and multiple trains passing. They use them in areas where there are high traffic and residential. If you had to listen to trains blasting their horns all day, you’d definitely appreciate the signals blasting the horns. They are directed towards the traffic and you can barely hear them indoors. They are very nice
@@Its_just_Dave. Surprisingly, you can get used to the horns. Think about the people who live in cities next to an ell train. Though excessive horn blasting of some engineers does make sense, also if the crossing's are close/frequent enough. Could solve the excessive horn problem by having button on the console that automates the crossing signal, though this would take away the engineer showing his/her personality. Btw: the crossing signal is the letter _Q_ in International Morse Code.
@@JV-pu8kx I personally don’t mind the train horns. Think of other instances that contestant train horns would be a problem such as daycares with napping children, schools or business where you need to hear what people are saying, elderly napping or crocheting in their rockers, restaurants where people gather to talk, just to name a few.
Never seen that before. Cheers. Chris from England.
*3.401 Like* - Nice video dear friend. I appreciate your interest. Best regards from Vietnam.
This definitely a unique railroad crossing. As you were talking about using the horns attached to the poles at the crossing rather than the horn on the train to warn of the approaching train, I was thinking that this was probably done because the neighbors were complaining about the load train horns. There was still a need for a warning that the train was coming so they compromised and installed these horns which are less noisy than the blasts of the train horn. Thank you for taking the time to document the historical sign and the National Road milepost. I had heard of the National Road in the past. The information on the plaque and seeing the mile post was wonderful to see from a historical aspect. Thank you for documenting this unique railroad crossing and for showing us the historical plaque on the National Road and the National Road Mile Post.
Weird indeed Son , weird indeed ... Good video ... Thought Chessie Systems was drinking a beer for a second .. Lol 😂😂
That was pretty cool. Definitely a first for me! Excellent catch.
great video 🚄🚄👍
That's pretty cool! I love the sound of rolling steel on steel 😎
My ex worked for the BN Lawyers & used to settle crossing accidents. THIS is what every crossing needs.
*I have some objections*
No thank you, I'd like to keep my train horns.
@@emjeebutterz4405 Exactly. Nothing better than a classy K5HL horn tumbling down the line at night waking everybody up just for the safety of their own people.
That’s funny because I saw that same horn on a pole near my high school 10 years ago. Had no idea what it did. Thank you for sharing.
I wonder how the Engineer remembers he’s not supposed to touch horn at this crossing only ? 🤪
There are signs posted along the trackway, aprox. 1/8 Mi. before intersections that require horns.
The signs are reflective green squares, with a reflective white "W" for whistle here in Ms. 🤟🏽🐻
Its called physical characteristics. Kinda like knowing the route you drive everyday to and from work. Plus there are signs I'm sure for the horn exemption
What engineer? Everything's remote control now!
That's one reason for the yellow flashing Xs. That and to tell the engineer that the system is actually working.
In Escalon CA there are four crossings in a row with the “quiet zone horn” on the BNSF. They put them in about 10 years ago. Ironically the old Tidewater Southern line adjacent still blows its horn whenever it comes through.
After yesterdays video I thought that police car was coming for you LOL
I've heard of these but this is the first time I've seen or heard one in action. Very cool JT. The Hi-Rail truck was a cool catch too.
Allso my first time to see the horn at crossing. 🇨🇦☕
Very interesting, that is the first time I have seen that set up
The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep, one last time !
That’s something else! I just can’t see that being good in the future😉excellent work sir!
I've never seen that before. Looks like sirenhead
Oh wow! Now that you mention it, it does!!!!!! Sirenhead is working for the railroad now lol
@@kingchris8255 nah it’s sirenhead’s little brother
I've seen this before! In use too! Torrington, Wyoming, the horn seemed close and quieter than the norm, come to notice the big mega phones on the crossing. In Fact, I have a clip of it with the horn going off, speaker in frame, train going by. Snapped a clip of it for the intro of the abandoned Shopko Hometown that is in Torrington, Wy!
I just Subscribed, your going to be my train channel.
This is the first crossing I have seen or heard of in operation. Probably about 25 to 30 years ago there was talk of putting horns on the crossings at the UP in New Orleans. But none have been installed that I know of.
Kind of defeats the purpose of a no horn zone
they can only be heard if you are with in a block or two of the crossing unlike a Tran horn that you can hear forever
This was definitely a unique one, you have a way of finding the unusual and interesting. Keep up the great shows, 6 hours, wow.
An odd grade crossing to say the least. I've never seen one with its own horns.
Never seen a horn on a post before. It just takes away the excitement of the situation.
We've got a quiet zone near me in Four Oaks NC. Funny to watch a train fly through town with no horns.
Great video. 😎👍👌
I am pretty surprised that the sheriff at the beginning didn't stop and yell at you for shooting video of him going by! Hey copper, I am on the sidewalk!!!!!!
That sound the speaker made was not what I was expecting :) not sure what I was expecting :) thank you for the information on the road! Love that kind of stuff.
Did the police come to talk with you the other day when the conductor came to talk to you, and asked you to stop videoing him?
Rude guy got wrong car so no he didn't
Bro there's a video where he mentions that the police did pull up but drove right by the Conductor got the plates of the wrong car if I'm not mistaken
Thanks guys.
@@juankintana6177 u got that right wrong car lol
I wish they would go arrest the lying conductor. The only thing worse than a snitch is a lying snitch
Train horns ON the crossing...welp, that’s a new one. It definitely pegged the needle on my Weird-Stuff-O-Meter for the day...maybe even the week! Great catch, and stay safe out there!
When I saw the speeding cop car at the beginning I thought they were coming for you. 😂 The idea of having the train horn on a pole at the crossing is another bad one. Talk about gilding the lily. It also makes everything dependent on the crossing. What if there’s a malfunction and the horn and gates don’t work? What then? We’ve seen it before when crossing gates malfunction. Just tune into your channel. You have a few videos covering it. I do have to doff my engineer’s hat to you for finding this. Only you seem to find anomalies like this and it’s another reason I subscribe. Thanks again for another entertaining video.
This is why I like your videos - you show the most unusual and interesting stuff. Thanks for showing this. You aren't anywhere near Brea, OH are you? I'd love to see some action down by the old train station (which was converted to a really good retaurant - hope they survived the COOF lockdowns)
JT, seems to me like the rail crossing near Trader’s World near Monroe, Ohio could use something like this. Thanks for the video!
Its great to see they have a alternative set in place because most of the time buses and cars and even people can’t hear the real train horn so it’s nice they put one at the crossing so it’s easier to hear