Rules on the use of Engine Bell

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I live just a few feet from the NS line out of Manassas, VA. I get to hear every train pass in realtime stereo. Not all the time , but occasionally, an engine will have its bell ringing as it passes. What are the rules for he use of the bell vs. the horn? Just curiouos>>>

2

Bells are used –

-when an engine is about to move
-when passing a train or engine standing on an adjacent track
-approaching, passing, or moving about station facilities or shop track areas
-one-quater mile from every public crossing at grade (unless said not to do so) until the crossing if fully occupied.

And if the engine horn fails the bell must be rung when
-moving through curves
-approaching and passing station facilities, yards and public corssings at grade.

That’s from the CROR, don’t think it’s to different in the states.

3

On newer locomotives the bell comes on automatically with the horn,
after a crossing is passed the engineer has to turn the bell off manually,
sometimes we forget because we cant hear it ourselves, if the cab is
closed up with the a/c going, or another crossing is comming up real soon
the engineer might just let keep ringing or there may have been MOW workers
in the area. jackflash

4

macguy

Your answer is real close. the only part that i dont agree with is the horn. if the horn fails you swap out the engine. and the bell rule is one we dont go by on a regular basis. but you was so fast at answering the question. continue on with the rest of the bell rule . what if the bell is inoperative? ( dont work) what do you do then?

5

Hey - Jackflash - welcome back - long time no hear!

Mookie

6

Engine Bell Failure
-Should the engine bell fail on the lead unit, repairs must be made as quickly as possible. If the train cannot be repaired, the train may proceed to the first point where repairs can be made. The engine bell, if available on another unit in the engine consist, will be run continuously while moving to the repair point.

Again, that’s right out of CROR (Canadian Rail Operating Rules). Rule 13.1

Also keep in mind that some companies may have special instructions or GOI that differ from the CROR. I am not sure about any particular differences, but companies are allowed to make rules more strict in their own operating intructions, they cannot however make them more lax.

Hope that helps.

7

Here in germany only the steam engines had bells. They used them when there were many crossings in a row, for example in towns, and when the track was on the street. Todays engines have no bell.

Micha