Crossing signals. Where are the bells located? Do they have external speakers? One signal arm has a “window” at the very tip top. About 6" x 2" - lets light through. Only one one of the two. Why?
Mookie
Bells are located on top of the crossing signal (upright mast)l;usually for a crossing
with two signals,there is only one bell.(eletro-mechanical;clapper/gong)
There are electronic bells,but I don’t think they are wired for stereo.
Your description of “window” doesn’t sound familiar to me as anything we
used,when I was designing crossings over 20+ years ago.
usually the bells have a me***op over them to keep the little birdies from building nests inside.
stay safe
Joe
Dear Feline Quasimodo;
Methinks you were looking at a klaxon replacement for 'da bells. Electronic equivilent of bells, they can have their noise directed right and left. Klaxxons are usually cylinrical and just extend the mast a litte higher. Nebraska Corporation Commission (PUC) determines how many and where the bells go. Bells are pretty noisy and can be heard up until the time the train occupies the crossing.
Click on PRODUCTS…SIGNAL…Bells(electronic)http://www.wch.com/
OK - I looked at the picture - got my ears pierced with the noise - but still not sure…
Joe and MC, they are actually small, elongated port holes, not very big and have a plexi-glass mesh over the openings. They are on opposite sides of the pole, with a cap on top, which is also the top of the mast! (Binoculars are wonderful).
However, this is only on the north side of the crossing. South side has just a plain one like the one in MC’s picture. Two different crossings, same setup. I will assume this is where the bells are located, but why the difference?
Moo?
Different Manufacturer, the one with elongated portholes is made by Safetran…
MC comes through again!
I appreciate the help, but it doesn’t change the relationship!
Quasimodo? I hope you are referring to the bells, or you are in big trouble again!
Moo
I guess one bell is all that’s required for a crossing. Interesting effect when a train passes between you and said bell–especially a stack train, with longer-than-normal gaps between the “obstructions”.
We have a crossing here in Lombard that has two of those klaxon bells–they ring together, but it definitely sounds weird!
As long as we’re talking about crossings…my brother in law and sister in law live in Ames, Iowa. He once told me that the crossings there have a horn that sounds like the locomotives. The horns blow at the same time a train would normally blow its horns, but direct the sound at the streets. Anyone know anything about this?
mike
They’ve been around for 10 years. Supposed to take the place of trains blowing for the crossing and re-direct the noise for those not smart enough to avoid buying houses near the tracks. FRA refers to them in their noise abatement documents as an option.
IMHO their effectiveness is questionable at best and oftentimes they don’t sound right.
When have I ever NOT been in BIG TROUBLE? …Kinda comes with the scenery[:D]