RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.

WHISTLES and HORNS

Whistles and horns played an important part in railroad history as much as any other railroad related device. 

They provide protection for trains that people can hear, as opposed to most of the other forms of signaling which require someone to SEE the warning or information. 

Whistles came along first.  Most, if not all were made of brass to resist the moisture in steam - iron or steel would rust - brass was cheap and easy to cast and machine.  They could be simple single tone whistles, or have as many as three or four chambers, such as the first one shown below.

Horns pretty much came along when they came out with diesel engines.  One place where they continued using whistles was on the rear platform of cabooses when trains were backing up, and the conductor was given the responsibility for clearing the crossings.

If you're looking to buy these items, be prepared to shell out some substantial cash.  Typical 3 chime horns run around $400-$800, and 5 chimers run anywhere from $500 on up depending on condition.  Whistles are anybody's guess, but the cheapest I have seen them at trains shows is around $400.

This section will get updated with info, pictures, and links as I come across 'em.

Whistles

A whistle I found on EBay, it's listing price was around $400, don't know what it sold for.

Standard PRR Whistle Signal Rules
These pages are from a PRR rulebook dated April 26, 1925.  The scans are pages 18 through 22.
For the train signals from this rulebook, click HERE.
Thanks to Michael Watnoski for loaning me his PRR rulebook.

Horns

Leslie Locomotive Air Horn

  A three chime at the Gaithersburg MD train show  11/5/2006

New: 11/9/2006
Last Modified: 19-Feb-2011