Locomotives Ringing Bell While Traveling Though a Grade Crossing

[Greg@mnrr]

While at a grade crossing several times I have heard the locomotive's bell ring as it passes by at speed. Is this something new or did the engineer just forget to turn off the bells?

Thanks.

Greg

 

[sauced07]

I used to always ring the bell at all crossings. I would pull the knob to activate the bell just as I crossed by the whistle post. I think it has always been required at a crossing.

 

[logandsawman]

Up in Cloquet they always rang the bell and sounded the horn both at crossings. It was only audible when it was the switcher moving slowly, though.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Maybe I never heard the bells over the engine noise and crossing signals.



Thanks.

Greg

 

[bnsf971]

Yes.
I forget the specific requirement, but the bell must be rung for grade crossings, as well as other instances where people can be expected to be in close proximity to the tracks.

 

[JazzDad]

In my computer simulator, the rule was for the bell to ring under 25 MPH (or such. Who really obeys the rules, eh?)

 

[dave1905]

From the 2015 General Code of Operating Rules:

5.8.1 Ringing Engine Bell
Ring the engine bell under any of the following conditions:
• Before moving, except when making momentary stop and start switching movements.
• As a warning signal anytime it is necessary.
• When approaching men or equipment on or near the track.
• Approaching public crossings at grade with the engine in front start signal at the crossing sign.
If no sign, or if movement begins between sign and crossing, start signal soon enough before
crossing to provide warning. Continue ringing bell until the crossing is occupied.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Thanks everyone...guess I need to inform my HO scale engineers when to ring the locomotive's bell.

Greg

 

[Frank]

Thanks everyone...guess I need to inform my HO scale engineers when to ring the locomotive's bell.

Greg

Just add that to the paperwork during the drug screenings after derailments.[emoji14]

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

 

[Iron Horseman]

• When approaching men or equipment on or near the track.

On the OC&E this is interpreted to also mean when passing another locomotive that is stopped on a siding as it may have men in, or around it that might be (de)boarding.

 

[JazzDad]

Just add that to the paperwork during the drug screenings after derailments.[emoji14]

Model railroading is supposed to be fun.

 

[NYC_George]

On the New York Central Harlem line we only rang the bell when approaching a station or going by MW working crews. Never remember ringing it at a grade crossing.

George

 

[tootnkumin]

US rail is a noisy place.

 

[bnsf971]

US rail is a noisy place.

Mainly because of the litigious country in which we live. Somebody spills a cup of hot coffee on their own lap, and there is a lawsuit and a warning label. Somebody gets run over by a 250 ton locomotive "because they couldn't hear it" and we get bells ringing at crossings.

 

[tootnkumin]

Mainly because of the litigious country in which we live. Somebody spills a cup of hot coffee on their own lap, and there is a lawsuit and a warning label. Somebody gets run over by a 250 ton locomotive "because they couldn't hear it" and we get bells ringing at crossings.

Unfortunately that is infectious. Having both bells on crossing bucks and locos ringing both together does seem to be overkill. An argument for the return of steam perhaps. I know all the hissing and blowing of steam across the station platform as the suburban train thundered in was enough to make me clear the platform, as a kid.

 

[Frank]

Unfortunately that is infectious. Having both bells on crossing bucks and locos ringing both together does seem to be overkill. An argument for the return of steam perhaps. I know all the hissing and blowing of steam across the station platform as the suburban train thundered in was enough to make me clear the platform, as a kid.

And yet people get run over rather frequently. Never mind that some of them were tresspassing at the time, trains aren't generally known for veering off course and in urban areas there are usually gates or warning lights to tell you that a train is coming and that's independent of what the train is required to do to make itself know.

You can't fix stupid.

 

[JWhite]

In Illinois it's state law covered in the vehicle code:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...pterID=49&SeqStart=187600000&SeqEnd=190100000

(a) Bell and Whistle-Crossings. Every rail carrier

shall cause a bell, and a whistle or horn to be placed and kept on each locomotive, and shall cause the same to be rung or sounded by the engineer or fireman, at the distance of a least 1,320 feet, from the place where the railroad crosses or intersects any public highway, and shall be kept ringing or sounding until the highway is reached; provided that at crossings where the Commission shall by order direct, only after a hearing has been held to determine the public is reasonably and sufficiently protected, the rail carrier may be excused from giving warning provided by this paragraph.
(a-5) The requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) regarding ringing a bell and sounding a whistle or horn do not apply at a railroad crossing that has a permanently installed automated audible warning device authorized by the Commission under Section 18c-7402.1 that sounds automatically when an approaching train is at least 1,320 feet from the crossing and that keeps sounding until the lead locomotive has crossed the highway. The engineer or fireman may ring the bell or sound the whistle or horn at a railroad crossing that has a permanently installed audible warning device.