The Frisco Train Whistle

Ozark Outlaw · October 19, 2011, 12:14:10 AM

Okay, I have decided to call upon the train experts on this forum. I am fairly confident that each time the train blows its whistle, there is a reason behind it.

For example, just before the train departs the station the engineer will blow two short blast from the whistle. Throughout the ride, the engineer uses various whistle blows. Each whistle blow has a different number of blast, and different durations.

Does anyone know what each of them represent? I am sure one variation of the whistle blow must signal to the "holdup" actors to get ready, and another one surely warns the crossing guard near the old Waterboggan tower to close the gates.

What do each of them mean?

Check out the ending of my YouTube video for a demonstration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhZ7wg6h2Zk&feature=channel_video_title

Junior · October 19, 2011, 08:20:07 AM

I can give you basics on this topic only. The train whistle sounds when it reaches certain points on the track so the folks at the depot knows where she's at. The toots all mean something. You'll notice when the train stops for the robbery you hear several short toots in a row, which esentially means "Whoa, something weird is going on here! (Meaning the robbery)" When the train goes through Sweet Mary's Tunnel, it's the same blast each time, too. Steamfreak would be the ultimate insider here to tell you what the whistle is saying. Let's hope he chimes in here.

Ozark Outlaw · October 19, 2011, 10:22:14 AM

Thanks Junior!

Hopefully, Steamfreak will be able to stop by, but either way I am going straight to the horses mouth, and ask one of the train engineers. Surely, they will give up their secret train whistle formula.

KBCraig · October 28, 2011, 02:59:45 AM

While there might be certain codes given to alert the Bolin boys, the whistle codes are fairly standard.

rubedugans · October 28, 2011, 12:07:57 PM

My understanding was always that the whistle combinations/ occourances were to tell the position of the train on the loop. Either approaching the robbery to alert the Bolin boys as to when they needed to be ready to go on, or leaving the robbery to alert the station as to the time of arrival

Ozark Outlaw · October 29, 2011, 12:03:22 PM

Quote from: rubedugans on October 28, 2011, 12:07:57 PM
My understanding was always that the whistle combinations/ occourances were to tell the position of the train on the loop. Either approaching the robbery to alert the Bolin boys as to when they needed to be ready to go on, or leaving the robbery to alert the station as to the time of arrival

I completely agree with that. I am curious though, that when I hear a long blast, followed by a short blast, or two short blast together, or two long blast together, or whatever other combination, as to where on the track the train is during each one.

It sounds like I have some listening homework to do on my next train ride.

rubedugans · October 29, 2011, 10:22:21 PM

I think (if no one chimes in with the real meaning) we can jot down on here where the whistles occour, and what each signal at those times are in order to understand the patterns- in turn giving us possible meanings....that or we just ask, but where is the fun in that?

SteamFreak · October 30, 2011, 01:26:33 AM

OK, here we go, a short break down on SDC train whistles (though these are based on historical whistle signals they are not standard to railroading mainly because all you would hear all day would be whistles if they were) Too help explain this I'll you the symbols * and - the *= a short whistle and the - a long one

** = Train is moving forward
*** = Train is moving backwards
- - = Train is going through a crossing
- - - - Train is broken down
- - * - Train is at fire in the hole or sweet Mary's tunnel (this is standard railroad signal for all crossings)
******** = Train is at the show
* = Acknowledgement

All train crew and flooded mine staff know the exact order of these whistle so they will be in the right place at the right time.

Hope that cleared it up!

Junior · October 30, 2011, 04:35:59 AM

Best discription we all could get. Thanks Steamfreak, and I hope the new job is going well! Thanks for clearing that up and we hope you will continue to visit this site periodically as your "former citizen" status makes you an expert for the time period you worked at the park. (I'm in the same category as you!)

rubedugans · October 30, 2011, 11:02:44 AM

Much thanks Steam. I knew there was a method to the madness, but this would have taken a LONG time to figure out without you!

Avalanche04 · October 30, 2011, 11:11:32 AM

thank you very much steam freak!!

MissinTheGreenTrams · October 30, 2011, 11:39:22 AM

yay! now I can run around the house with my train whistle and even further my SDC delirium! My hubby will be thrilled!

rubedugans · October 30, 2011, 12:08:57 PM

Pulling out of driveway this morning...
*honk*honk*honk-
followed by a *honk *honk -when putting it into drive
wife "what was that for?"
me "oh nothing!"

Avalanche04 · October 30, 2011, 12:18:53 PM

lol that's funny rube, i have done that too the wife when we would be driving down the highway and for no reason start blowing the horn. it embarrasses the wife so bad she wants too climb under the seat. lol i will have too try that pulling out of the driveway also lol.

DollarCityBoy · October 30, 2011, 10:05:45 PM

Quote from: rubedugans on October 30, 2011, 12:08:57 PM
Pulling out of driveway this morning...
*honk*honk*honk-
followed by a *honk *honk -when putting it into drive
wife "what was that for?"
me "oh nothing!"

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all, we are a crazy bunch on this website!