The absolute loudest train horns you can buy are genuine train horns used on locomotives made by Nathan AirChime, Leslie, and formerly Wabco, Hancock and Prime.
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The maximum legal decibel level for a car horn on a passenger vehicle is 100-110. A train horn has a decibel level of 130-150.
The intensity of sound will vary at night, sometimes louder and sometimes softer. It has to do with the height and strength of a temperature inversion just above the ground. On clear, calm nights, it is cooler at the ground than higher up.
While owning and installing an aftermarket air horn or train horn is not illegal, some states have periodic inspections that your vehicle has to pass. For some of these inspections, having a train horn hooked up to your ride or, in some cases, having it wired up to be your only horn will cause you to fail inspection.
In addition, exposure to impulse noise (abrupt high intensity sounds of short duration [e.g., whistles, horns, cannon blasts, fireworks]) should never exceed a peak sound pressure of 140 dB peak in adults, and 120 dB in children.
Why do trains honk so loud at night? Train horns sound at the same volume whenever they are sounded. They often have minimum volume requirements, to ensure they can be heard far enough away for workers in a working environment to seek safety.
This rule applies 24 hours a day, even if a crossing is equipped with lights, bells and crossing gates. Train crews also may deem it necessary to sound a horn as a warning when there is a vehicle, person or animal near the tracks.
Earplugs: Wearing earplugs can combat the train noise and help you sleep through the night. White noise: A white noise machine or app will provide a constant low-level background noise that can help you sleep through occasional train whistles.
It is worth noting that technically, any non-emergency use of a horn can be considered an offense. But a police officer is very unlikely to ticket a trucker for a traditional horn honk. Just as with all road safety, the golden rule is to pay attention to your surroundings. And only give the signal when it's safe.