                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BELL AND WHISTLE OR HORN; WHEN SOUNDED (§ 56-414)

Every railroad company shall provide each locomotive passing upon its road with
a bell of ordinary size and steam whistle or horn, and such whistle or horn
shall be sharply sounded outside cities and towns at least twice at a distance
of not less than 300 yards nor more than 600 yards from the place where the
railroad crosses upon the same level any public highway or crossing, and such
bell shall be rung or whistle or horn sounded continuously or alternately until
the locomotive has reached such highway crossing, and shall give such signals in
cities and towns as their local governing bodies may require.
		The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance require
locomotives to sound their whistle upon approaching designated railroad trestles
or bridges having lengths of 100 feet or more. Notice of any such requirement
shall be given by registered mail to the registered agent of the railroad
operating in the affected county, city, or town. Affected railroads shall comply
with any such ordinance within 30 days of receiving the notice.
		The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance adopted
following a public hearing, petition the State Corporation Commission to enter
an order, pursuant to the Commission&#8217;s Rules of Practice and Procedure,
requiring locomotives to sound their whistle or horn at specifically identified
private crossings in the same manner as required for public crossings. If the
Commission should deem the blowing of the locomotive whistle at such private
crossings to be necessary in the interest of safety under all relevant
circumstances, then it shall enter an order. The affected railroad shall comply
with the order within 90 days of receipt by its registered agent of notice sent
by registered mail and the locality must first install stop signs on both sides
of such private crossing, to be paid for by the locality or the landowner. The
Commission may establish and collect a fee, not to exceed its actual costs, from
applicants for an order to sound locomotive whistles pursuant to this section.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 3958; 1950, p. 944; 1956, c. 164; 1993, c. 483; 2003, c.
287.