Why are German train horns used. I never see a horn being used in German train videos (that aren't in rural areas) for what reasons and what regulations are there in relation to horn usage in Germany.
It's not very common indeed! There are signs indicating its use. You'll most often find the 'Pfeiftafel' on rural local tracks, typically near crossings without lights or barriers. Its not like the US where they use the horn on nearly every crossing only when its needed when this sign is placed.
In German trains, the horn is meant as a signal of imminent danger (of any kind) only. As jesper2805 already mentioned, mostly on smaller routes there are these P-signs (Pfeiftafel) indicating a dangerous spot coming up, usually level crossings without barriers. There, you as a train driver must sound the horn. If you don't and something happens, you'll get at least part of the blame. Another (sadly quite common) use of the horn is for example when the train is moving through a station without stopping, and people on the platform linger too close to the tracks. Or even people crossing the tracks where they are not supposed to. I also sound the horn in these situations ingame, although it doesn't seem to help much... just as in real life Could the logic of the cows trotting away when sounding the horn on Mittenwaldbahn somehow be transplanted to people on platforms? In earlier days, the horn also was used excessively during shunting operations, to communicate with others. There even were tables with different horn signals meaning different things... just imagine the noise around bigger freight yards
