Why do steam locos sound the whistle before departure?

[Dr_Paul]

I understand that whenever a steam loco started off, the driver would always give a short blast on the whistle (I was asked to do this when I drove Baxter up and down the line at Horstead Keynes on a fund-drive trip some years back), but this doesn't seem to apply to DMUs and EMUs. I'm not sure about the procedure with diesel locos. Can anyone explain the reason for this?

 

[godfreycomplex]

I understand that whenever a steam loco started off, the driver would always give a short blast on the whistle (I was asked to do this when I drove Baxter up and down the line at Horstead Keynes on a fund-drive trip some years back), but this doesn't seem to apply to DMUs and EMUs. I'm not sure about the procedure with diesel locos. Can anyone explain the reason for this?

To warn people of the train’s departure. This was removed from the rule book around the time of steam replacement. It’s still in the rule book in some other countries, for example on the network of Metro Trains Melbourne the modern electric trains with ATO and cab signalling wend their way through the suburbs honking like a rutting goose at every station

 

[Tester]

To warn people of the train’s departure. This was removed from the rule book around the time of steam replacement. It’s still in the rule book in some other countries, for example on the network of Metro Trains Melbourne the modern electric trains with ATO and cab signalling wend their way through the suburbs honking like a rutting goose at every station

A slight exaggeration - a single short blast before moving

 

[Steddenm]

Don't Metrolink trams give a short toot on the public roadway sections and at major stops (Victoria, Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield etc) before they set off?

 

[DelW]

I understand that whenever a steam loco started off, the driver would always give a short blast on the whistle (I was asked to do this when I drove Baxter up and down the line at Horstead Keynes on a fund-drive trip some years back), but this doesn't seem to apply to DMUs and EMUs. I'm not sure about the procedure with diesel locos. Can anyone explain the reason for this?

I've always assumed it was a signal to the guard, in response to their green flag, so the need disappeared when trains were fitted with internal bells or buzzers.

Drivers of diesel hauled trains on the West Somerset give a toot on the horn on departing from stations.

 

[45076]

MR-B diesels sound up to acknowledge the green flag from the guard and warn the public the train is about to move.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Don't Metrolink trams give a short toot on the public roadway sections and at major stops (Victoria, Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield etc) before they set off?

I think that's more of a sharing space with pedestrians thing, since not all of them will be paying attention to the tram.

 

[507 001]

Don't Metrolink trams give a short toot on the public roadway sections and at major stops (Victoria, Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield etc) before they set off?

There’s no rulebook requirement to whistle up at major stations. The only reason you’ll hear it at Piccadilly is because there’s a whistle board at the end of the outbound platform. Deansgate you’ll hear it because of the foot crossings. Victoria there’s a whistle board for the foot crossing when departing the centre road inbound, and another when approaching the foot crossing outbound.

 

[pdeaves]

I expect for most modern applications it's "to generate a sense of excitement for the paying punters" and "that's what the passengers expect" [1] rather than anything else.
[1] I mean, 'everyone knows' trains go woo, woo, ch-ch-ch, so give them the woo, woo bit.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I've always assumed it was a signal to the guard, in response to their green flag, so the need disappeared when trains were fitted with internal bells or buzzers.

That was my understanding as well- The Whistle on a Steam Engine or Horn on a Diesel Engine is sounded so the Guard knows the footplate Crew have acknowledged the signal to go, the Guard can re board the train quickly before the train starts moving.

 

[route101]

To warn people of the train’s departure. This was removed from the rule book around the time of steam replacement. It’s still in the rule book in some other countries, for example on the network of Metro Trains Melbourne the modern electric trains with ATO and cab signalling wend their way through the suburbs honking like a rutting goose at every station

I was in Romania and the horn was sounded upon departure and a lot over crossings I think.

 

[Bikeman78]

I've always assumed it was a signal to the guard, in response to their green flag, so the need disappeared when trains were fitted with internal bells or buzzers.

Drivers of diesel hauled trains on the West Somerset give a toot on the horn on departing from stations.

I think that applies on most loco hauled trains without buzzers. The Crosscountry 47s did it and so did the class 37s on the Rhymney line. However, not all drivers tooted the horn when they came back in 2019, but most did.

Video shows class 37 action on the Rhymney line.

 

[AndrewE]

I have always assumed that the whistling not required by the modern rule-book is as an advert for steam services aimed at people who might not have realised they have a steam railway nearby...
I certainly enjoy the distant steam whistles that I hear occasionally.

 

[Narrowgauge725]

The 15" railway I volunteer on requires you to whistle before any movement, so does my model engineering club in addition before entering and exiting the tunnel.

 

[Phil R]

MR-B diesels sound up to acknowledge the green flag from the guard and warn the public the train is about to move.

I think this has now been superceded by platform staff and guards screaming at passers-by to get behind the yellow line.

 

[The exile]

That was my understanding as well- The Whistle on a Steam Engine or Horn on a Diesel Engine is sounded so the Guard knows the footplate Crew have acknowledged the signal to go, the Guard can re board the train quickly before the train starts moving.

On my first trip up the Central Wales line (37 + 3 coaches so the DMU was available for rugby duties in Jan 1990), I seem to remember a lot of flag waving and tooting - there being no other way for driver and guard to communicate at all the stops (request or otherwise)

 

[Krokodil]

I think that applies on most loco hauled trains without buzzers. The Crosscountry 47s did it and so did the class 37s on the Rhymney line. However, not all drivers tooted the horn when they came back in 2019, but most did.

I stopped working loco-hauled trains in 2020 and the drivers had a bit of a mixture of ways of acknowledging the green handsignal. By daylight most would raise their arm, one or two would use the horn instead. At night some would still raise an arm (which was a pain), some would show a white light (I'd prefer this), some a green light, and some used the horn.

 

[Andrew1395]

They are just letting off steam!

 

[Harpo]

In reverse, I find it strange at rallies when traction engines move off without whistling.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I understand that whenever a steam loco started off, the driver would always give a short blast on the whistle (I was asked to do this when I drove Baxter up and down the line at Horstead Keynes on a fund-drive trip some years back)

They didn't in the steam era. I have two dozen audio CDs of 1950s + 1960s recordings. Only a very few drivers sounded the whistle at departure:
1) to acknowledge "Right Away" to a second engine at the head, or at the rear, of the train.
2) to warn track gangers, or people near the lineside, or on the platform edge, of the train's departure.

In this preservation era - heritage and main lines alike - the warning whistles serve as an important reminder to people unfamiliar with hazards of standing too close to hot steam, or standing too close to the train itself.

 

[Harpo]

In this preservation era - heritage and main lines alike - the warning whistles serve as an important reminder to people unfamiliar with hazards of standing too close to hot steam, or standing too close to the train itself.

Plus warnings for foot crossings & vehicle crossings, which preserved branch lines in rural areas can have quite a few of.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Plus warnings for foot crossings & vehicle crossings, which preserved branch lines in rural areas can have quite a few of.

Indeed, although arguably that's slightly different to the OP's "before departure" ask

 

[The exile]

Indeed, although arguably that's slightly different to the OP's "before departure" ask

Not if that crossing is within yards of the platform end - as many are.

 

[Harpo]

Indeed, although arguably that's slightly different to the OP's "before departure" ask

Quite a few locations that have both. (I.e. station and a crossing.)

 

[Sun Chariot]

Not if that crossing is within yards of the platform end - as many are.

Then it fits within my post 20 point 2
2) to warn track gangers, or people near the lineside, or on the platform edge, of the train's departure.