Bells

[NW Mailing List]

I am starting to wonder what is driving this question. Rules regarding use of the bell were pretty standard across railroads and did not differentiate as to type of locomotive. 

From my 1981 N&W rule book:
Rule 30. The engine bell must be rung:
  When an engine is abut to move except after momentary stops in continual switch movements;
  While approaching and passing public crossings at grade;
  When passing through tunnels;
  When passing trains standing on adjacent tracks; and
  At a point where required by special instructions or by law.
The unnecessary use of the engine bell is prohibited.

From a 1956 New Haven rule book:
Rule 30. Except where the momentary stop and start forward or backward, is a continuous switching movement, the engine bell must be run when an engine is about to move; while approaching and passing public crossings at grade; while approaching and passing a train standing on an adjacent track and while approaching and passing passenger station platforms adjacent to the track upon which the train is running.

From a 1937 New York Central rule book:
Rule 30. The engine bell must be rung when an engine is about to move and while approaching and passing public crossings at grade or in an emergency.

From a 1956 Pennsylvania Railroad rule book:
Rule 30. The engine bell must be rung when an engine is about to move, when running through tunnels, while approaching and passing public crossings at grade and when passing a train standing on an adjacent track.

All very similar, none say anything about steam, diesel, or electric locomotives, and all Rule 30 as the railroads had worked back then to develop very similar rule books.

-- 
Larry Stone
lstone19 at stonejongleux.com





> On Sep 25, 2023, at 2:32 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> So the OP specifically asked about rules regarding steam locomotives.  Many of the detailed replies are covering time after 1959. 
> 
> Mr. Miller, should we conclude the "modern era" rules are just a complete carry over from earlier times?
> 
> Just trying to clarify. 
> 
> Jim Stapleton
> Northernmost NoVA
> 
> On Sep 25, 2023, at 17:20, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Here 1981 operating  Rules PDF search the web thinks there a few more N&W ones out there in PDF  Larry Evans
>  From: NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2023 1:50 PM
> To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Cc: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Re: Bells
>  Thanks to all who replied to my question about when and how N&W used bells on steam locomotives.  Ken, I look forward to seeing the rule book when you get it scanned, and jimmy, thanks for the quote you posted from the rule book.  I now have a much better idea of bell use. 
> Jack Fletcher 
>   From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2023 2:58 PM
> To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Bells
>  CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>  Jack,
>     The following is from the N&W Operating Rule book in effect as of Nov.18, 1951: "Rule #30 - The engine bell must be rung when an engine is about to move, while approaching and passing public crossings at grade from each crossing whistle post tothe crossing, when passing through tunnels and yards, through or over streets, and when passing trains on two or more tracks"
>  Jimmy Lisle
> On 9/23/2023 10:05 AM, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List wrote:
> I have often wondered, were there any rules as to when and how bells were used on N&W steam engines?
>  Thanks,
>  Jack Fletcher
>   
> 
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