Around 1994, General Signals sought to improve and standardize their electronic bell design. These redesigned bells are known by signalfans as GS Type 1 E-Bells, or GS1 bells. They were produced from 1994 to 2000, and during that time, every major US railroad installed at least one on their system. The GS1 designation refers to GS bells with both the GS1 sound and shell.

The GS1 sound was introduced in March of 1992. The sound is a low quality recording of a mechanical bell, but has been heavily compressed and doesn’t capture the "clang" typically associated with one. The bell sound recording was provided by Western Cullen Hayes (WCH), and is marked "2CD4”. Tenelex Industries, a company based out of Chattanooga, TN, incorporated this sound into circuit boards "BELL4" (March 1992), "BELL5" (June 1994), and "BELL6" (September 1998). The GS1 sound was discontinued sometime in the year 2000.

Fun Fact: Although the GS1 sound "2CD4" is typically tied to General Signals, it was also used in electronic bells made by Associated Signal Company (ASC)!

It isn’t known when GS1 shells were invented, but they had already started appearing by late 1994. Their appearance is a departure from the "experimental" look of Early GS E-Bells. GS1 shells are shorter than Early GS E-Bell shells, but are taller than GS Type 2 and 3 shells. In addition, the mesh wiring is stronger and does not warp easily. The cap has 7 screws on top. 4 hold the circuit board (which is partially exposed to the bell’s interior), and 3 hold the speaker assembly. Screws used on GS Type 1 E-Bells were prone to oxidation (rust) and are now extremely difficult to remove.

Just because a GS E-Bell uses a GS1 shell, doesn’t mean that it will have the GS1 sound. For more information, visit the GS Type 2 E-Bell page using this quick link.

All GS Type 1 E-Bells are equipped with a potentiometer that controls the pitch of the bell. The pitch can be set as high as a Safetran Type 3/Siemens High Tone E-Bell or as low as a Safetran Type 1 E-Bell. Most of the time the pitch is slightly higher than a GS Type 2 E-Bell, around the pitch of a Safetran Type 3/Siemens Low Tone E-Bell.

With the exception of "BELL4" boards, the standard GS Type 1 E-Bell circuit board contains no volume adjuster. GS1 bells with volume adjustment features were offered, but didn’t see much use outside Australia.

All GS Type 1 E-Bells can fit onto 4 or 5 inch diameter poles.

GS Type 1 E-Bells measure 18 1/2 inches in height and 6 inches in diameter.

All GS E-Bells function off 12 volts DC.

GS Type 1 E-Bells that are not equipped with volume adjustment features measure about 90 decibels at 5 feet. GS Type 1 E-Bells with volume adjustment features can measure between 85 and 95 decibels at 5 feet.

GS Type 1 E-Bells weigh about 9 lbs.

Several variants of the GS Type 1 E-Bell exist. The model numbers are listed below.

EB-3-360-5 ~ Standard GS Type 1 E-Bell.
EB-3-360-5-I ~ Loud Tone GS Type 1 E-Bell.
EB-3-360-5-3W ~ GS Type 1 E-Bell with a 3 way volume switch.

A good number of GS Type 1 E-Bells can be found in service. Several go for sale every year, so it’s not too difficult to obtain one.