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RailwayTiming the horn before the crossing
Your train is closing on a public grade crossing and the horn has to start at the right moment: at least 15 and no more than 20 seconds before the locomotive enters it. You judge the moment from your speed, respect the distance cap of a fast train and know the one case where a train stopped near the crossing may sound it for less. It is the federal timing rule for the locomotive horn.
Free to startScenarios
- A train at 60 mph or less approaching a public crossing.
- A train running faster than 60 mph.
- A train stopped close to a crossing with flashing lights and gates fully lowered.
- The engineer cannot estimate precisely when the train will reach the crossing.
The steps
- Begin sounding the horn at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, before the locomotive enters the crossing.
- If you cannot estimate the arrival time precisely, starting in good faith no more than 25 seconds before is not a violation.
- Above 60 mph, do not begin more than one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) before the nearest public crossing, even if the warning lasts less than 15 seconds.
- Stopped close to a crossing: first determine that the crossing is not obstructed.
- Then you may sound the horn for less than 15 seconds and vary the pattern if, in your sole judgment, the crossing has flashing lights and gates and the gates are fully lowered, or no conflicting motorist or pedestrian traffic is approaching.
- Keep the horn going until the locomotive occupies the crossing.
Safety rules that stop the station
- The short warning from a stop is allowed only after you have determined that the crossing is not obstructed.
To pass
- Horn started 15 to 20 seconds before the crossing (up to 25 in good faith), and never more than a quarter mile early above 60 mph.
- The same timing applies when State law requires another audible warning device instead of the horn.
- A locomotive with a defective horn, moved for repair under 49 CFR 229.9, is outside this timing rule.
Official source
Federal · FRA, 49 CFR 222.21(b) and (d)
49 CFR Part 222: Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
The eCFR publishes 49 CFR Part 222 free: 222.21(b) sets when the horn starts and 222.21(d) the case of a train stopped near the crossing.
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