Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Salinas, ... .2,,1,-4.3
Near Castroville Ave, I wonder if it even works...

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cold+Riv ... .37,,2,2.1

Now this is confusing...

LARDLOGO wrote:https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cold+Riv ... .37,,2,2.1

Now this is confusing...

At least that one was re-purposed. Makes (a little) more sense as to why it is there. The other couple of examples are just plain stupid.

cabman701 wrote:

LARDLOGO wrote:https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cold+Riv ... .37,,2,2.1

Now this is confusing...

At least that one was re-purposed. Makes (a little) more sense as to why it is there. The other couple of examples are just plain stupid.

The one in Monterey is actually a memorial to Ed "Doc" Ricketts of Cannery Row fame--he was actually struck at that particular crossing. As for Butte...just ridiculous. Many rails-to-trails (i.e. Ojai Valley) don't have former crossing signals left in place. That seems to be an anomally...

To discerning horn enthusiasts, JNR is known for using knockoff Westinghouse A2s.
HOWEVER, as I was about to start in on a rebuild of the default Hisatsu line that was made for MSTS, I discovered that JNR--before using electronic chimes--actually used a derivation of a US&S Teardrop bell:


Well, one thing led to another while trying to find additional reference material (i.e. a decent shot of a block signal) and I discovered this private railway crossing in Kumamoto (on the southern island of Kyushu), which has SIX Teardrop bells!
https://maps.google.com/?ll=32.821074,1 ... 4,,1,-9.14

EDIT: Here's one of 'em in better lighting. LOOKS very much like a Teardrop, but like the A2s, looks/sounds can be decieving. The JNR models are likely a reverse-engineered derivation, and some minor details differ between an actual US&S Teardrop and these ones. https://maps.google.com/?ll=32.828827,1 ... ,,1,-10.32

ConductorWho wrote:and some minor details differ between an actual US&S Teardrop and these ones.

They also sound like crap.

TrainmanKight wrote:

ConductorWho wrote:and some minor details differ between an actual US&S Teardrop and these ones.

They also sound like crap.

Much like the A2s, some defects probably transferred over in the casting process. Seems like initially JNR purchased parts (i.e. A2s, Teardrops, etc.) but then reverse-engineered them and had domestic companies create duplicates of the molds, defects to the imported product and all.

This is the same problem which plagues the third generation of P-series horns--trying to duplicate a casting, but creating several defects. Of course, in the case of Nathan Airchime, it was to switch casting types, whereas JNR was trying to save the cost of importing those products, so...the defects could be in order to avoid patent infringement, but could have been related to a casting transfer.

I'd still prefer one of those bells to an e-bell or a JNR electronic chime though.

EDIT: Looks like the JNR horns are made by the Nippon Air Brake Company (NABCO), which is actually the Japenese licensee for Westinghouse, and sells the AW-2 and AW-5. Considering that US&S and WABCO equipment often would turn up on the same crossings, it's likely that this is a legitimate duplicate of the Teardrop Bell as well, by way of NABCO / Nabtesco. A little digging on That Other site turned it up:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... ?6,2566900

Was taking a look at the currently-decomissioned (and technically landlocked) NWP, and found this one in Ukiah:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=39.150564,- ... 4,,1,-0.33

Also at this crossing--two Griswold pedestal-base signals with their original 8x20 flashers!

Further down the line, at Windsor:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=38.557814,- ... 55,,0,1.21

Dunno if this one in Riverside's turned up in the thread yet...
https://maps.google.com/?ll=33.997576,- ... 19,,0,4.37

It's on what looks like a pretty unused spur though.

PaulSP wrote:

Found in this thread.

Also, with 25 pages (and counting) of locations of Teardrop bells, would the count a rare anymore?