When using my computer to watch trains go by at the Rochelle diamond, sometimes the locomotive is ringing its bell, and sometimes, the locomotive doesn't ring its bell.
What determines when or why a locomotive rings its bell?
Since the trains are all passing through the same area, there doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason explaining the use of a locomotive bell.
writesongWhen using my computer to watch trains go by at the Rochelle diamond, sometimes the locomotive is ringing its bell, and sometimes, the locomotive doesn't ring its bell. What determines when or why a locomotive rings its bell? Since the trains are all passing through the same area, there doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason explaining the use of a locomotive bell.
If the engineer sees personel on the ground the bell is required to be rung. Rochelle has become a 'Quiet Zone' and trains will not routinely sound thier horn for road crossings. If trains are in possession of an order that specifies a Work Zone at or around the diamonds, trains will sound the horn as they pass through the limits of the work zone.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Regardless of quiet zones, the bell should be rung for grade crossings. I suspect that some engineers on eastbound trains start ringing their bell for Ninth Street sooner than others. Yes, the bell is to be rung when there are workers near the tracks. And at Rochelle, that's a lot of the time.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
CShaveRRRegardless of quiet zones, the bell should be rung for grade crossings.
I've been known to forget to shut the bell off after a crossing...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I think it's policy for the bell to be rung when the locomotive is running through a station or traversing a yard.
tree68I've been known to forget to shut the bell off after a crossing... Embarrassed
"Shut off that bell! You have kids running after us thinking that we're selling ice cream!"
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Quote from a friend - "the first thing that moves on the locomotive is the bell..."
Most rules sets call for the bell to be sounded as an indication that the locomotive is about to move.
CShaveRR Regardless of quiet zones, the bell should be rung for grade crossings.
Regardless of quiet zones, the bell should be rung for grade crossings.
Most quiet zones with which I'm familiar, such as the CSX Blue Island Sub, allow (require?) the bell to be rung at grade crossings.
writesongWhat determines when or why a locomotive rings its bell?
Was it Mississippi Central that had the arrangement rigged up that would ring the bell continuously whenever the engine was in motion?
If I remember the story correctly, they were found 'liable' for a crossing accident where the person claimed the bell wasn't being sounded. The road's response was to make sure that the bell would be ringing ALL the time the engine was running ... perhaps much of the time during the day in the community whose court had found the railroad liable...
I think the bell ringing is an "informal Rule" that should be followed but sometimes isn't. I go to a spot where much switching occurs. I notice that some of the older engineers will do horn signals (two blasts when they go forward, 3 blasts when they back up) where as some of the younger guys don't seem to want to be bothered. Same with the use of the bell.
pajrrI think the bell ringing is an "informal Rule" that should be followed but sometimes isn't. I go to a spot where much switching occurs. I notice that some of the older engineers will do horn signals (two blasts when they go forward, 3 blasts when they back up) where as some of the younger guys don't seem to want to be bothered. Same with the use of the bell.
There are 'actual rules' about these activities. If the 'weed weasels' are in residence and the rules aren't followed, you have a E-test failure.
That won't result in a investigation and time off, however, E-test failures do get applied to a individual's record.
I would guess that a lot of the bell-ringing is done at the engineer's discretion. For example last night I was watching a "cab ride" video, specifically on New Jersey Transit's Pascack Valley Line. During the last half-hour of the video as the train was passing through the suburbs the engineer was ringing the bell almost continuously. The line had quite a bit of foliage along it and quite a few blind spots, so I'd assume the engineer was playing it safe and ringing the bell as a warning to anyone who might have been near the tracks.
For grade crossings he sounded the horn in the usual manner.
Of course everyone is assuming the bell is in working order. One reason I like the electronic bells, less likely to give problems.
When switching in yards, the use of the bell and whistle/horn requirements are different then when operating on the main. Constant stopping and starting don't require ringing the bell or whistling off, unless it's to answer a hand signal. As I recall, the remote control engines will automatically ring the bell a few seconds every time it receives a command to move.
Jeff
Firelock76I would guess that a lot of the bell-ringing is done at the engineer's discretion.
Beyond what is required in the rules, that's not a bad guess.
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