Location of Caltrain Horns Changed

By

July 29, 2009

During a recent routine safety inspection it was discovered that Caltrain’s horns were not producing the distinct, separate, sequential blasts (tweet and toot) required by federal regulations.

Previously, the horns had been moved to the underside of the locomotives and cab cars in response to community concerns about noise. To comply with federal regulations the agency has returned the horns to their original location on top of the trains – at least for the interim.

Moving the horns to the top of the locomotives and cab cars has increased the volume and the range of the sound. Caltrain is working to reduce the volume, while making sure that the horns remain within the range established by the Federal Railroad Administration.

“We have to balance neighborhood concerns against the need for safety,” said Caltrain Deputy CEO Chuck Harvey. “It is important for people to remember that the engineers do not sound the horn gratuitously. They sound the horn to save lives and to comply with FRA requirements. We ask for the public’s patience while we attempt to adjust the horns.”

Caltrain engineers are required to sound the horn one-quarter mile before every grade crossing, where a street crosses the tracks. There are 44 crossings between San Francisco and San Jose. Engineers also sound the horn whenever they see a trespasser near the tracks.

Grade-separated crossings, as proposed by high-speed rail, would eliminate the need for engineers to sound the horn. Caltrain has entered into an agreement with the California High-Speed Rail Authority to bring the service along the Caltrain corridor.