Locomotive bell

[nawalins]

I've read numerous articles and forum questions and answers concerning the use of the locomotive's horns and what they mean.

My question is: "What about the bell?" When and where is it used?

Michael E. Risher
CEO Bayou Self Railway
"Don't Worry Bout' Nuttin'"

[edblysard]

You sound the bell, along with the horn at grade crossings, or whenever you are going to move the locomotive from a standstill. In yard service, we ring the bell whenever the motor is going to move, say backing up. Because the engineer cant see all aroung the motor, the bell acts likes todays back up beepers. It alerts those on the ground that the motor is about to move, forwards or backwards, and to be alert for that.
It can also be used when the engineer wants to acknowledge a hand signal from the ground crew, its easier on their ears than a horn blast.
Stay Frosty, Ed

[Anonymous]

sometimes they use the bell at grade crossings, espically the rural ones with no gates, also when i walk the tracks, almost every train that passes me has their bell and flashing ditch lights going. Amtrack ALWAYS does this. also if i understand correctly, on the DASH-9, every time you sound the horn, since it is computer controlled, automatically starts the bell ringing, and does not stop untill you manually turn it off.
May The Force Be With You, Always
Chris

[Jackflash]

You are correct about the bell comming on when the horn is blown on some locomotives, but I'm not sure that the on board computer plays a big role in this, I been on GP 38s and SD 40s that had this feature, probably works similar to the
way the crankcase overpressure and hot engine water safety trip buttons on the diesel engine
works,, two pressures working equally against
each other, with a plunger or diaphragm in between
let the pressure drop on one side and the plunger
moves in that direction (turning on the bell)
automatic train air brakes follow a similar principal,,, jackflash

[oltmannd]

The horn and bell coming on together is generally a RR preference not relate to any model or manufacturer. Whether electically or pneumatically activated, it's a simple system and the propulsion/cab computer isn't involved (except to record the input)

[wabash1]

The bell (doesnt matter if automatic or manual) will be sounded when you start to move, after a stop in switching moves at all road crossings , when appoarching a bridge or tunnel, when going by all passenger stations ,when passing a stopped train or cut of cars on a adjacent track, when going by any mantainace of way personell and on any engine service track. all are continous except for the switching moves you just need to do this to get the crews attention that you are starting to move. also all but the moving a engine on any service track also has a whistle signal to accompany it. in engine service area its just a continous bell ring as long as the engine is moving. if you stop you turn bell off, when moving again you turn it on.

[CShaveRR]

On some Chessie units I've visited, the horn lever in the cab had an extension that mechanically--not electrically or pneumatically-- engaged the bell button. It was then turned off in the normal fashion.

[nawalins]

I'd like to extend my thanks to all who replied to my question. The answers were all quite interesting. Most reponded that the bell comes on automatically when the horn is sounded. I'd like to toss a monkey wrench into ya'lls answers (I'm just perverted like that).

What about in the days when steam locomotives were kings of the road?