I have an MRC sound system in HO scale, I know that the horn is to warn when backing, starting, road crossings, etc… What I do not know is when is the bell to be used? What is it used for? Thanks. Mike
The bell is to warn people, primarily crew members on the ground, that the locomotive is about to move. On modern diesels, the bell usually turns on automatically when the horn is sounded at a grade crossing and the engineer turns the bell off after the locomotive(s) have cleared the crossing. In a yard, the bell is rang when an engine is backing up or performing switching operations that involve frequent changes in direction. Other uses would depend on the individual railroad’s rule book.
Bells also need to be on when you enter and exit a passenger station.