Is this a Safetran bell?

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pluey200
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Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by pluey200 » Sat Jun 09, 2018 7:36 am

I was looking at railroad crossings on this state site, and decided to look at S State Road in Medina, Ohio, which I am very familiar with at http://gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov/sit ... d062/1.jpg . In this picture, it looks like there's a Safetran mechanical bell on the crossing. Ever since I can remember, there's been a WCH soft tone mechanical bell on the crossing. I can't be sure if it's a safetran bell since it's so blurry. Can any of you tell?
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freebrickproductions
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Re: Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by freebrickproductions » Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:17 am

pluey200 wrote:I was looking at railroad crossings on this state site, and decided to look at S State Road in Medina, Ohio, which I am very familiar with at http://gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov/sit ... d062/1.jpg . In this picture, it looks like there's a Safetran mechanical bell on the crossing. Ever since I can remember, there's been a WCH soft tone mechanical bell on the crossing. I can't be sure if it's a safetran bell since it's so blurry. Can any of you tell?
I'd say that looks like a Safetran mechanical bell, as Safetans seem to be set "back" a bit on their bases compared to other mechanical bells.
They/Them for me, please.

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ZachL
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Re: Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by ZachL » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:11 pm

It's probably this WCH mechanical bell that's here now:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1382512 ... 312!8i6656
Crossing pictures from Plant City, FL are finally here! viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2538
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Re: Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by freebrickproductions » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:36 pm

ZachL wrote:It's probably this WCH mechanical bell that's here now:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1382512 ... 312!8i6656
Profiles are slightly different, and according to the OP, the WCH bell replaced the bell in the picture he linked to.
They/Them for me, please.

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ZachL
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Re: Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by ZachL » Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:00 pm

freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:It's probably this WCH mechanical bell that's here now:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1382512 ... 312!8i6656
Profiles are slightly different, and according to the OP, the WCH bell replaced the bell in the picture he linked to.
The WCH bell was probably installed used then. There's no way in ten years that a mechanical bell could rust that easily, I don't think.
Crossing pictures from Plant City, FL are finally here! viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2538
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Re: Is this a Safetran bell?

Post by freebrickproductions » Tue Jun 19, 2018 4:01 pm

ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:It's probably this WCH mechanical bell that's here now:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1382512 ... 312!8i6656
Profiles are slightly different, and according to the OP, the WCH bell replaced the bell in the picture he linked to.
The WCH bell was probably installed used then. There's no way in ten years that a mechanical bell could rust that easily, I don't think.
The WCH bell I have is NOS and has several scuff marks on the gong. Given how WCH has been cheapening their mechanical bells over the years, I honestly wouldn't be surprised to find out that the gongs are made of lower-quality material now as well.

Another thing also depends on the climate. I've seen WCH bells from the 1990s that have the gongs covered in rust, while other WCH bells from the 1980s and/or 1990s are still in good shape.
They/Them for me, please.

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