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General Signals electronic bells were first invented in 1992, although they didn't start showing up on crossings until around 1998 or so. All class I railroads use them, although Union Pacific uses about 70% WCH electronic, and 30% General Signals electronic bells. It's one of the most popular railroad bells you'll find protecting crossings Today.
Electronic bells are becoming very popular amongst railroads Today due to having no moving parts, and weighing only 10 lbs. (4.5 kg). Many signalfans dislike this bell, due to not sounding anything like a real mechanical bell.
The sound this bell outputs has a very wide range of tones from high to low toned, but are primarilly set on 2 tones, dubbed "General Signals Type 1", and General Signals Type 2". There are many models of this bell available from General Signals. The most popular bells are the EB-3-360-5, EB-3-360-5-I, and EB-3-360-5-3W.
The EB-3-360-5 model is a basic electronic bell, and retails for $195.00.
There are 4 other electronic bells mentioned on their price catalog, ranging from $175.00 to $210.00. You can also buy replacement parts for the bell, such as the speaker for $57.74. You can also purchase the PVC pipe, and screen as well, although they won't list the price.
These bells measure 6" diameter, and 18" tall. The bell draws less than 0.15 amps of electricity, which is about 10% the power of a mechanical bell. It rings at a set speed of 250 strokes per minute (4.16 strokes per second), has an operating voltage of 7.5 to 17.5 volts D.C. and can sound between 85 to 95 decibles (EB-3-360-5 Model Only).
The decible output on the EB-3-360-5-I, and EB-3-360-5-3W is unknown, as they are not listed on General Signals website. |
General Signals electronic bell as seen on General Signals website.
A General Signals clone, seen on Union Switch & Signals website between 2003 and 2005. |
General Signals Electronic bell at Rancho Cordova, CA on 12/22/2007. |
General Signals Electronic bell protecting a private crossing between Beaumont and Redlands, CA on 5/13/2005. |
General Signals Electronic bell at Midland, MI on 10/22/2004. |
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General Signals Electronic bell and a WCH Electronic bell provided by rrxingrick@aol.com on 2/2/2006. |
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CLICK THE ICON TO THE LEFT TO HEAR THE BELL IN ACTION.
THE FIRST 10 SECONDS IS THE TYPE 1 TONE, FOLLOWED BY THE TYPE 2 TONE FOR THE NEXT 10 SECONDS. THE LAST 40 SECONDS STARTS FROM THE LOWEST TONE POSSIBLE, THEN SLOWLY ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST PITCH THEN BACK TO THE LOWEST TONE AGAIN. |
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CLICK THE ICON TO THE LEFT TO HEAR THE BELL IN ACTION.
A LONG LOOP OF THE GENERAL SIGNALS TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC BELL TONE. |
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CLICK THE ICON TO THE LEFT TO HEAR THE BELL IN ACTION.
A LONG LOOP OF THE GENERAL SIGNALS TYPE 2 ELECTRONIC BELL TONE. |
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http://www.generalsignals.com/- General Signals Website.
http://www.generalsignals.com/electronic_crossing_bell.htm- General Signals Electronic bell webpage.
http://www.generalsignals.com/PDF/Electronic_Crossing_Bell.pdf- General Signals Electronic bell PDF page. 
http://www.generalsignals.com/PDF/Railroad_Products/H-Price_Sheets_Terms_Restrictions.pdf- General Signals Price Sheet. 
