The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-02
LANGUAGE OF THE WHISTLES! FISH SWARM IN olO MINES
What the Engineer Tells the Conductor
by Means of Little Steam
Clarion.

Since the recent siege to which sew
eral hundred passengers were sub
jected to on the 0. r. & N. by reason
of snowslides. the continued whistling
participated in by locomotives en-
gagged in handling snowplows has been
responsible for numerous inquiries as
to what the different signals meant.
AS there are IA in the "buk a rules,
each ''tOot'' for the edification of in
quisitive patrons of the Hartman
system. While some travellers are as
familiar with the whistle signals as are
of their time on trains cannot distin-
guish one from another, beyond that
sounded when approaching a station.
When a train is moving one short
blast is for an immediate stop and to
apply brakes Two long whistles
mean to release brakes. If the train is
to stand for a time one long blast
and three short ones are given, which
'DiiAO
distance and protect the rear of The
train with a flag or light. Four lons
whistles recall the 3agman to the train
from the west and five of the same
length bring him in from the east.
Two Shorts-"Yes, Sir"
Three long whistles sounded when the
train is in motion signify that the train
has parted. Two short blasts are used
for many purposes and stand for an
answer to any signal not otherwise
provided for When a train is at a
standstill and it is desired to back it,
three short blasts are given. In enter
ing the yard limits of station the en-
gineer sounds four long whistles,
which, in the parlance of the line, IS
for the board" or semaphore to show
whether the track is clear. If clear
stopped at the station unless the track
there is occupied.
One long and two short whistles IN
passing a train On a siding calls atten-
ton of the crew of train of the same
Or an inferior class to signals displayed
for a following section. One long blast
is used by trains approaching stations
functions, railroad crossings at grade
tunnels or snowsheds where the view Is
INSTRUCTED. Two long and two snort
whistles denote the train is approach
ing a public crossing at grade.
Six short blasts is "air brake is Stick
ing and succession of the same du-
ration is an alarm for persons or cat
tie on the track and calls attention OF
trainmen to danger ahead.
Torpedo signals are also confusing
to the travelling public, but trainmen
interpret them as though orders were
painted on a white sign. One torpedo
brings train to an instant stop, but
two. placed two rail lengths apart
mean to reduce speed and be on the
lookout for stop signals, usually lndl-
eating that train is ahead.
Gossip With Shrieks.
With whistle and bell signals orders
are received in the cab and acknowl-
edged almost as easily as through
| conversation Men on passing trali's
say Hello Bill" with the whistle cora.
Or a signal denoting another train Is
following is interpreted by the waiting
crew to mean, Brown is coming WIN
No. 2423 and a private car, FOR tney
know, after leaving the last station
how the dispatches put them IN d
hole" at the passing point.
With the perfection OF train teie-
phones the understanding between en-