So, you want to become a railroad engineer and drive a steam train, right? Assuming this is your first time behind a regulator and boiler, allow me to congratulate you on your decision to embark on this journey of joy and wonder across the age of steam!

While not as common as what they once were, if you were to ask anybody if they have seen a steam locomotive, they would probably say yes, they have in some form of media. The thought of an old timey locomotive is usually the first association with almost any western style of film. Until the invention of the automobile (and eventually the semi truck), Railroads were the primary way of moving a large amount of goods from one place to the other. They were what helped drive the industrial revolution that built America into the industrial powerhouse it is today.

Even though most of today's trains are powered by diesel locomotives, the allure to "Old Steam" is still very much alive and well. When you hear or watch a steam locomotive in operation, it is truely a sight to behold. It's as if you were witnessing a giant horse made of iron galloping across the plains on hooves made of steel, breathing smoke and fire as it wails out it's call, carrying it's burden to it's next destination.

So, without further adieu, let's dive in to this guide, shall we?

Before we get to the meat and potatoes of this guide, I feel somewhat compelled to lay down a few rules of etiquette if you find yourself joining an open lobby of another player. Please, do keep these in mind if you find yourself in somebody's open server.

1. Do not build, edit, or destroy any pieces of track without permission from the server owner. This is extremely disrespectful under any circumstance. Remember, you are a guest, not a host.
   
2. No "fouling" the Mainline. "Fouling" a mainline means parking a locomotive, car consist, or even a Gandy Dancer (handcart) in a high traffic area.
   
3. Always change your switches back to mainline if you pull out of a yard or siding. This goes strongly with Rule No.2. Never foul a mainline.
   
4. When moving a locomotive or rolling stock, alert all who are nearby with a whistle signal and/or bell. The signal(s) in question will be covered in the next section.
   
5. Teamwork results in clean work. Try to help other players. That in turn will also help you as well.
   
   Alrighty then. Now, on to the main reason you clicked on this guide.

Train whistles are fun to hear and use, but they do more than just give engineers something to do to pass the time between station stops. The were created as a means to communicate with signalmen, conductors, and even other trains. This was done in a series of patterns with long and short blasts of the whistles or horns on the locomotive. One could say it was like Morse Code, but with loud whistles and bells. If you ever wondered why trains are so noisy, it's just the engineer "talking" with the other crew. The advent of radio technology has largely made most of these whistle and horn signals unneeded anymore. The only signal you may still hear today would be the "Crossing Signal" that is sounded at every road crossing.

Regardless, these are still useful if you are playing with people who do not have mics, or with random players who join your game. Or if you want to have a bit more realistic operations and roleplay. The whistle blasts in this guide will denote "-" for a long blast and "0" for a short toot.

- - 0 - : Road Crossing
This is the most common whistle in use today, and one most would commonly associate with trains. Please note that the last long blast should be sounded before the crossing and held until the locomotive passes completely through.

- : Train is stopped, brakes are pressurized
This is to signal "tie down", the train is stopped and parked.

- - : Brakes off, Locomotive is moving forward
This is usually sounded off accompanied by the bell to alert others that the engine is moving forward or leaving the station.

0 0 0 : Brakes off, Locomotive is backing up/ Stopping at next station
This whistle has a dual meaning depending on circumstance. When stopped in a yard, it indicates that the locomotive is backing up. When sounded during travels, it signifies that the next station is a scheduled stop.

0 0 0 0 : Request for a signal to be given or repeated by signalman

- 0 : Inspect brakes system for leaks, faults or sticking brakes
Very useful if you are needing to hook up to a large consist of freight and want to make sure all hand brakes on the cars are off.


Now that you know the basics of railroad whistle code, be sure to use and apply them to let everybody know what you are about to do, even if you or they don't have a mic. Happy railroading, and have fun!

Please note that if hand signals are added to the game sometime soon for yardmen or conductors, I may add them to this guide as well.