Chronicle of MY TRAIN and Train HORN signals

A Parade Train for Special Functions

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Santa Fe Super Chief parade train is a custom, handcrafted vehicle created by the railroad for the "Chicago Railroad Fair", the summers of 1948, 1949 and 1950. The Fair was to celebrate the first 100 years of railroads.
This 33 foot long, one of a kind vehicle was assembled on a 1948 Dodge 1½ ton cab-over, truck chassis, powered by a 6 cylinder engine with 4 speed transmission, stiff truck suspension, manual brakes, manual steering and a 15 gallon gas tank. The top speed was 42 MPH. It was moved long distances by rail. It thrilled parade watchers all over America from 1950 to the 1980's.

MyTrain is now outfitted with a new Ford 460 V8 engine, C6 automatic transmission, soft motor home suspension, power 4 wheel disk brakes, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control and an 83 gallon gas tank. It is a pleasure to drive on the Interstate highway and sensational in parades. The interior is fitted with two front seats and twelve in back. The Super Chief is parade ready with a real crossing bell and locomotive horns.

Lead Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade in
2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05 and will again in December 2006.
On the front cover of Thunder Press Feb-2006, Harley Davidson news.
"A train on wheels." says Dave McClelland on Hot Rod TV Sept. 2005
Illinois Route 66 Magazine (picture on pg.22, Fall 2003 issue).
Northern Rodder Magazine (picture on pg.36, July 2002 issue).
Hot Rod Magazine POWER TOUR 2001(picture on pg.96, Sept.).
First Place trophy World of Wheels 2000, McCormick Place, Chicago.

Train horn signals
Wonder why locomotives approaching grade crossinge sound their horns four times?
Wonder what the other combinations of whistle/horn blasts mean?
Railroads are required by a variety of state laws to sound horns in advance of all crossings. Basically, horns are sounded for safety reasons--to warn of approaching trains. This table will illustrate the combination of short and long horn blast and the meaning.
The letter "O" is used to indicate short blast, and 3 consecutive dashes "---" indicate long blast.
--- When train is stopped. The air brakes are applied and pressure is equalized.
--- --- Train releases brakes and proceeds.
O O Acknowledgment of any signal not otherwise provided for.
O O O When train is stopped: means backing up.
O O O O A request for a signal to be given or repeated if not understood.
O --- Inspect the brake system for leaks or sticking brakes.
--- O O O Instruction for flagman to protect rear of train.
--- --- --- --- The flagman may return from west or south.
--- --- --- --- --- The flagman may return from east or north.
--- --- O --- Train is approaching public crossings at grade with engine in front. Signal starts not less than one quarter mile before reaching the crossing, if distance permits. If distance does not permit, signal starts soon enough before the crossing to provide warning. Signal is prolonged or repeated until the engine occupies the crossing. This signal is used to warn employees when the view is restricted. Note: Sometimes a succession of short sounds is used when an emergency exists, such as when people or livestock are on the track. When crews on other trains hear this signal, they must stop until it is safe to proceed. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which enforces rail safety regulations, has studied the possibility of banning locomotive horns where crossings can be equipped with full quadrant gates so motorists can't drive around them, but there's been no ruling on this yet. A ban on locomotive horns in Florida was ordered removed by the FRA after it was shown that the accident rate doubled during the ban.