Out of Compliance With General Operating Rules
May 24, 2023 2:30:06 GMT
Country Joe, harborbelt70, and 4 more like this
Post by atsda on May 24, 2023 2:30:06 GMT
From the Pennsylvania RR Rule Book, Rev. 10/27/57: "30. The engine bell or warning signal must be sounded when an engine is about to move, when running through tunnels, while approaching and passing public crossings at grade and when passing train standing on an adjacent track."Brass Plate on Rafter Bell Sound Recording 25.m4a (338.22 KB)
Therefore, my post war Lionel steam locomotives operating on my 1950’s layout are out of compliance. For some time, I have been thinking of how to resolve this. Furthermore, after listening to the bell sounds on OGF member’s modern equipment, I decided to take action.
Fortuitously, while I was scrounging for some rubber washers in my father’s tool box (which I ‘inherited’ when he passed away), I struck a metal object that gave a nice ring. It was a shallow brass ‘bowl-shaped’ fitting. (For a ceiling lamp?) My idea for it was to mount it on a nail tip in a wooden block and next to it, mount a small AC motor on whose shaft I would mount a ‘striker’. I would put the motor on accessory voltage using an on/off toggle switch. Then, When I moved a train, I would engage it.
I am not at this stage yet. I have done a test run by suspending the plate on a wire from a rafter in my attic near my KW transformer. I have made a recording of the sound. I actually stood there with a screwdriver, striking the plate while trying to operate the whistle control. (I had a tender on the track.) The recording is not perfect, I had to juggle all the motions, including operating the recorder on my speech-enabled phone. At some point, I will tackle the permanent solution – this will help prevent my arm from getting tired. Alfred
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Therefore, my post war Lionel steam locomotives operating on my 1950’s layout are out of compliance. For some time, I have been thinking of how to resolve this. Furthermore, after listening to the bell sounds on OGF member’s modern equipment, I decided to take action.
Fortuitously, while I was scrounging for some rubber washers in my father’s tool box (which I ‘inherited’ when he passed away), I struck a metal object that gave a nice ring. It was a shallow brass ‘bowl-shaped’ fitting. (For a ceiling lamp?) My idea for it was to mount it on a nail tip in a wooden block and next to it, mount a small AC motor on whose shaft I would mount a ‘striker’. I would put the motor on accessory voltage using an on/off toggle switch. Then, When I moved a train, I would engage it.
I am not at this stage yet. I have done a test run by suspending the plate on a wire from a rafter in my attic near my KW transformer. I have made a recording of the sound. I actually stood there with a screwdriver, striking the plate while trying to operate the whistle control. (I had a tender on the track.) The recording is not perfect, I had to juggle all the motions, including operating the recorder on my speech-enabled phone. At some point, I will tackle the permanent solution – this will help prevent my arm from getting tired. Alfred
(
