Off beat bell

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Re: Off beat bell

Post by freebrickproductions »

ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
Probably the plastic materials for the hammer mechanisms.
They/Them for me, please.

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Railtrack
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by Railtrack »

freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Not my old WCH bell.
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by freebrickproductions »

Railtrack wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Not my old WCH bell.
Yours was probably well maintained.
They/Them for me, please.

Click here if you want to submit crossing photos to the site!

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McK&H.Aust
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by McK&H.Aust »

ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
I have a theory about the newer WCH bells with the plastic parts (just a theory, I'm no expert). The part that connects the armature to the hammer mechanism is made of plastic and therefore is lighter than the previous metal version, but the hammer itself is still made from metal. The extra weight in the metal part probably acted as a counterweight against the hammer, but now that it's plastic the magnets would have to do more of the work. The plastic also wears out because it is rubbing against metal pivots at either end.

Hope I didn't put you guys to sleep with that lol. I know with the older bells the contact can become dirty and pitted which can effect the operaton of the bell.
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by cabman701 »

McK&H.Aust wrote:
ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
I have a theory about the newer WCH bells with the plastic parts (just a theory, I'm no expert). The part that connects the armature to the hammer mechanism is made of plastic and therefore is lighter than the previous metal version, but the hammer itself is still made from metal. The extra weight in the metal part probably acted as a counterweight against the hammer, but now that it's plastic the magnets would have to do more of the work. The plastic also wears out because it is rubbing against metal pivots at either end.

Hope I didn't put you guys to sleep with that lol. I know with the older bells the contact can become dirty and pitted which can effect the operaton of the bell.
And because of all of that is probably why most railroads started preferring e-bells over mechanical's.
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Railtrack
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by Railtrack »

cabman701 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote:
ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
I have a theory about the newer WCH bells with the plastic parts (just a theory, I'm no expert). The part that connects the armature to the hammer mechanism is made of plastic and therefore is lighter than the previous metal version, but the hammer itself is still made from metal. The extra weight in the metal part probably acted as a counterweight against the hammer, but now that it's plastic the magnets would have to do more of the work. The plastic also wears out because it is rubbing against metal pivots at either end.

Hope I didn't put you guys to sleep with that lol. I know with the older bells the contact can become dirty and pitted which can effect the operaton of the bell.
And because of all of that is probably why most railroads started preferring e-bells over mechanical's.
This bell, in a crossing I've recorded, is off beat, a little bit.
Southwest Quebec Railfan
Proud owner of 3 crossing bells (WCH 0333, Safetran mechanical and WRRS mini-bell) and a WRRS 8'' light.

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSubL ... mxJ5WtNaQ/
My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/southwestquebecrailfan
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ToledoRailfan
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by ToledoRailfan »

Railtrack wrote:
cabman701 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote:
ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
I have a theory about the newer WCH bells with the plastic parts (just a theory, I'm no expert). The part that connects the armature to the hammer mechanism is made of plastic and therefore is lighter than the previous metal version, but the hammer itself is still made from metal. The extra weight in the metal part probably acted as a counterweight against the hammer, but now that it's plastic the magnets would have to do more of the work. The plastic also wears out because it is rubbing against metal pivots at either end.

Hope I didn't put you guys to sleep with that lol. I know with the older bells the contact can become dirty and pitted which can effect the operaton of the bell.
And because of all of that is probably why most railroads started preferring e-bells over mechanical's.
This bell, in a crossing I've recorded, is off beat, a little bit.
I'm kind of having a hard time telling if that actually might be because of your camera's microphone.
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Railtrack
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by Railtrack »

ToledoRailfan wrote:
Railtrack wrote:
cabman701 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote:
ZachL wrote:
freebrickproductions wrote:
ZachL wrote:Do older WCH bells do this, or just the newer ones?
Both it seems. For the older ones, it's typically due to age.
Interesting! I wonder what material could be wearing out then on newer models to start that symptom up sooner. :huh:
I have a theory about the newer WCH bells with the plastic parts (just a theory, I'm no expert). The part that connects the armature to the hammer mechanism is made of plastic and therefore is lighter than the previous metal version, but the hammer itself is still made from metal. The extra weight in the metal part probably acted as a counterweight against the hammer, but now that it's plastic the magnets would have to do more of the work. The plastic also wears out because it is rubbing against metal pivots at either end.

Hope I didn't put you guys to sleep with that lol. I know with the older bells the contact can become dirty and pitted which can effect the operaton of the bell.
And because of all of that is probably why most railroads started preferring e-bells over mechanical's.
This bell, in a crossing I've recorded, is off beat, a little bit.
I'm kind of having a hard time telling if that actually might be because of your camera's microphone.
No, I was listening to the bell and it was off beat
Southwest Quebec Railfan
Proud owner of 3 crossing bells (WCH 0333, Safetran mechanical and WRRS mini-bell) and a WRRS 8'' light.

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSubL ... mxJ5WtNaQ/
My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/southwestquebecrailfan
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ZachL
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by ZachL »

I don't hear anything off-beat there, either...
Crossing pictures from Plant City, FL are finally here! viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2538
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Railtrack
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Re: Off beat bell

Post by Railtrack »

ZachL wrote:I don't hear anything off-beat there, either...
Just a little bit
Southwest Quebec Railfan
Proud owner of 3 crossing bells (WCH 0333, Safetran mechanical and WRRS mini-bell) and a WRRS 8'' light.

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSubL ... mxJ5WtNaQ/
My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/southwestquebecrailfan
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