[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR222.21]



[Page 268]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 222_USE OF LOCOMOTIVE HORNS AT PUBLIC HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS

--Table of Contents

 

                    Subpart B_Use of Locomotive Horns

 

Sec. 222.21  When must a locomotive horn be used?





    (a) Except as provided in this part, the locomotive horn on the lead 

locomotive of a train, lite locomotive consist, individual locomotive, 

or lead cab car shall be sounded when such locomotive or lead cab car is 

approaching a public highway-rail grade crossing. Sounding of the 

locomotive horn with two long, one short, and one long blast shall be 

initiated at a location so as to be in accordance with paragraph (b) of 

this section and shall be repeated or prolonged until the locomotive or 

train occupies the crossing. This pattern may be varied as necessary 

where crossings are spaced closely together.

    (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the 

locomotive horn shall begin to be sounded at least 15 seconds, but no 

more than 20 seconds, before the locomotive enters the crossing.

    (2) Trains, locomotive consists, and individual locomotives 

traveling at speeds in excess of 45 mph shall not begin sounding the 

horn more than one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) in advance of the nearest 

public highway-rail grade crossing, even if the advance warning provided 

by the locomotive horn will be less than 15 seconds in duration.

    (c) As stated in Sec. 222.3(c) of this part, this section does not 

apply to any Chicago Region highway-rail grade crossing at which 

railroads were excused from sounding the locomotive horn by the Illinois 

Commerce Commission, and where railroads did not sound the horn, as of 

December 18, 2003.