Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

I like the ASC bells. They are all over the place around here and very pleasant. Especially in contrast to the nasty friggin' WCH Type 1's that UP seems to insist on using with all the new installs around here.

The only thing I don't like about the GS Type 1s is that if you some distance away from them, it sounds more like a constant tone rather than something ringing. The GS Type 2 (and knock-offs from other companies) produces a better ringing sound.

Safetrans Type I and II have the nicest sound for Safetran. But GS Type I also sound very nice.

My top vote was GS Type 2. I grew up with them, and I don't mind their tone. Here's how the other's stack up in my opinion (reaons on are carrots, good and bad reasons seperated by ":".):

1. GS Type 2 <Enjoyable sound, durable, simple, and looks fine : nothing>
2. Safetran Type 1 <Very neat sound, easy on the eyes : fragile>
3. WCH E-bell (any type) <DURABLE! Neat sound, not annoying, don't look that bad : annoying if modified in speed/tone>
4. ASC <Unusual sound, but alright in that matter : weird looking>
5. Safetran Type 3 <can sound good, well enclosed : can sound bad>
6. GS Type 1 <durable, simple, looks fine : I can't take the sound>
7. US&S <IDK, no opinion>
8. Safetran Type 2 <looks like a GS Type 2, smells like a GS Type 2, sounds like a GS Type 2, : but it isn't>

There you go.

Cheers,
Joshua

mwp12290 wrote:I think I like the GS Type 1, seems to be somewhat rare nowadays. GS Type 2 is okay, but too common.

Yeah, they are kind of rare, but ALL OVER Seattle. There's only one GS1 around Bellingham and it's at Central Avenue! Anyway Type 1 Safetrans! They kind of sound like how SafeTran used to make their bells!

LARDLOGO wrote:

mwp12290 wrote:I think I like the GS Type 1, seems to be somewhat rare nowadays. GS Type 2 is okay, but too common.

Yeah, they are kind of rare, but ALL OVER Seattle. There's only one GS1 around Bellingham and it's at Central Avenue! Anyway Type 1 Safetrans! They kind of sound like how SafeTran used to make their bells!

Put up a GS type one recently, there ok. I still like WCH and safetran type 3s better, I hate safetran M-bells.

I have a GS Type 1 (broken) from a crossing in Burlington. I can't stand the type 3 safetran bell at all because it sounds really fake and it's ugly! The Safetran M Bells are too loud also.

LARDLOGO wrote:I have a GS Type 1 (broken) from a crossing in Burlington. I can't stand the type 3 safetran bell at all because it sounds really fake and it's ugly! The Safetran M Bells are too loud also.

Safetran high pitched are nice what I like is they are LOUD, NEG bells are too quiet.
My favorite all around is WCH, made out of aluminum (strong) there volume and rate can be changed.
Also the speaker is open at the bottom so all the sound is directed below as apposed to out the side.
People can bitch all they want about the "tone" not sounding like a bell but I'm still looking for the definition of what a bell needs to sound like.
Bell=audible warning device to alert pedestrians and bicyclists.

TrainmanKight wrote:Bell=audible warning device to alert pedestrians and bicyclists.

Going by that definition... would also means the sound of beating frying pans together, someone with explosive diarrhea after eating rancid China Buffet, a cat screeching after stepping on its tail, George Bush Senior saying "Read My Lips", or Tiny Tim singing "Tiptoe Through The Tulips"... when recorded, stuck on a chip, and amplified through a speaker on top of a signal would also qualify as a bell. (Oh yeah, don't forget the automated horn systems. They're audible devices too!)

I really like the sound of a GS Type 1 bell, it gives that nice crossing signal sound