IINM, electronic bells are standard on the newest freight locomotives from EMD and GE. It's not a brand new technology, there were some RR's back in the Seventies that used "E-bells", Milwaukee Road being one..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
They are actually becoming rather common. The newer NJTransit locomotives have them, they sound all right but when up close its easy to tell its electronic. Newer grade crossings also have them mounted on the gates instead of a regular bell.
Just ran an Amtrak P42 retrofitted with an "E Bell", a strange looking device that replaces the traditional locomotive bell. This thing actually has a nice sound to it, as it actually sounds like a nickel alloy or brass bell with a nice tone and ring. And best of all, the thing works, first time, every time.
I have talked to a few other Amtrak Engineers and they have noted that some of their P42's are equipped with this device. So far, it seems to be a big hit with a lot of Engineers.
Anyone else see or hear these things? How about some opinions?
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