Just curious on when US locos use their bells. I usually play Boston Sprinter and am getting MBTA Commuter shortly. Curious on when the bell is used in real life. Same with the ditch lights. When are they used flashing/still. If anyone has some IRL info that'd be great
When approaching stations or approaching crossings. Most locomotives and cab cars have the bell automatically kick in if the horn is applied.
Rules vary railroad to railroad, but it's pretty much a general warning for when horns shouldn't/can't be used. Trains Magazine has a pretty good Q&A on it... https://www.trains.com/trn/train-ba...e-rules-on-when-locomotive-bells-should-ring/ Ditch lights are basically in the same wheel house, but are more common when traversing grade crossings or approaching stations, worksites, etc. (like the bell, they're usually triggered by the horn).
Ditchlights flash usually when the horn is activated by default, I believe all US passenger locos have them equipped by default (I cant think of one company that doesn't have them) While the freight locos is a case by case basis, as some companies (Like BNSF and UP) don't have them equipped while NS and CSX do have them equipped (Due note though, that some UP and BNSF locos have flashing ditchlights as they were installed from one of their predecessor railroads)
Bells are also used when entering or exiting yards or around industries. Lights must be dimmed when approaching an oncoming train or if an engineer has his train stopped on a passing siding.
FWIW, ditch lights should be turned off within yard boundaries, to avoid hitting workers with blinding light at eye level.
No worries. We're one of the few countries on the planet that uses the damn things, so I can see their usage being a little confusing.
I'll add a little extra to this thread... Do you fine folks prefer the sound of mechanical bells or digital ones? Personally, for me, it depends on the equipment. Usually I like that distinct "DING, CLICK, DING, CLICK" of a good mechanical bell, but sometimes the E-bells just sound cool.
I find the bell extremely irritating on North American traction units. Seems a hangover from the days of Casey Jones that should have been consigned to the archives years ago. Used to wind me up watching Pentrex videos back in the day, lovely melodious GM, GE or Alco thrash ruined by the driver activating the bell as he passed the cameraman. In this day of high intensity headlights and loud chime horns, if someone can’t see a train is moving or approaching then they need a reappraisal of their life skills!
Also you are supposed to ring the bell before making any movements from stationary. And I read it's a requirement when traveling through populated areas where there is no boundary or fences protecting the track from pedestrians.
These days you will be surprised. Especially where the zombies with their heads buried in there phones are concerned.
Yes it's a necessary additional safety measure. Some people need an aural warning in addition to ditch lights and horns at grade crossings and stations. And there are lots of people who are sight-impaired who welcome the extra warning. Americans are so used to bells that it's not in the least bothersome and I rather like the sound of mechanical ones. Bells are a distinctive feature of the American Railroad.
Bells are also the only audio device used on crossings labeled as "Quiet Zones" as well, no horns except in emergency situations.
