Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-01-05

Is enjOined TO sound his whistle as a
reminder to the signalman that the
train is waiting to go ahead.
1.-The engine whistle is also en-
ployed in an emergency as a means of
communication between the driver and
guard, or as a message OF recall when
a guard-owing to breakdown-has
left his train to protect It, in which
case the driver, like Goldsmith's
tickle friend
Can cast off his guard like huntsman
his pack,
For he knows when he likes he can
whistle him back.
again, when, in consequence of an
accident, an engine (under special
regulations Is permitted to travel in
tae wrong direction the whistle has to
be frequently sounded. Permanent
way men travelling in trucks are ad-
vised by the engine when to hold on
preparatory to the train being
brought TO a stand, and there are other
internal arrangements which are
familiar to the fraternity of the foot
plate. But the chief interest in the
science Of engine whistling centers in
the special codes drawn up by each
company for the guidance OF its SER
wants in starting from or passing
through stations and functions. On
approaching junction whence a num-
Der OF lines converge the general prn-
ciple applied to the whistling of en-
gines Is that one distinct sound shall
be used when a driver requires TO
pass with his engine or train on to
or off a main line, and after this the
number OF sounds, their duration of
length and other peculiarities depend
upon the nature and extent of the
junction. Taking as an instance a
small station, serving in addition to
the main or through lines two branch
lines, one on each side of the trunk
system, 1t is found that, after the one
sounds are arranged for the right
hand branch and three for the left
hand branch, while four sounds are
given for an engine turntable road and
five for a siding at the Back of one OF
the platforms. AT more complicated
functions these signals are still fur
Their varied. Having multiplied the
simple or distinct sounds sufficiently,
the code provides for such variations
as one long, three long and four short
and the like. For carriage and other
sidip~s what are called crows are ar
rang ID. These, in common with the
distinct sounds differ according TO
the disposition of the sidings into or
out of which an engine or train re-
quires to pass. In one case four var
iations on the crow may be provided;
in larger yards many more may be
required to indicate to the shunter
pointsman or signaman the charac-
ter and destination of the train. These
crows are Familiarity known among
the staff as cock a-doodle-doos, and
so cleverly do the drivers manipulate
their engine whistles in imitation of
the vocal peculiarities of the denizens
of the poultry yard that, on one oc-
casion last winter. the sounds emitted
by locomotive were taken, or mis-
taken, by a member of the writer's
family for an indication of the dawn
of day"
This superintendent seemingly
makes out a strong case in favor of
the whistle In America the codes
are even more intricate and the hidden
| meaning of short or prolonged
whistle Is of the utmost Importance to
those on the train as well as those
on it, The code most in use Is the
! international--so-ca because used
in the United States, Mexico and
Canada-w which is employed daily by
every engineer in all these lands. 1t
is common to all roads, the object be-
ing to insure uniformity in public
signals so that interchanges of en-
ployes and machines will prevent any
trouble because of improperly sounded
signals.
Every schoolboy almost knows the
| meaning of the signals to stop, go
ahead and back up. Many OF them
can tell what is meant when the
whistle sounds merrily TWO long ana
TWO SUOIt UidSlS. lty Cuil tNt
tell the difference between the brake
signal in the switch yards and the
slow down signal as the rain APP
proaches station on the main line.
! But there are many signals by bell
and whistle which are known only to
railroad men. Some codes are known
only to engineers and firemen.
For instance, If the engineer gets
| the conductors hand or light signal
/ to proceed, he cuts loose with two
/ sharp, short toots. II he for any rea-
son wants to stop he emits long
/ drawn out wall in one note. II he
| sees danger and wants the brakes in
I a hurry on freight train he sounds
| a fierce, short signal blast which
/ fairly lifts the brakemen to the decks
o. the cars. He repeats this once or
twice, according to the imminence OF
| the peril. In the yards the short-stop-
| ping signal Is used as distinguished
| frNr,, tho ono mead hafarp reaching a