Signal Gongs

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

The opening sequence of "The Fading Giant" recording by O.Winston Link has the conductor signal the cab of the 611 that it should stop next station.  You hear 3 short air hisses.  The engineer responds with toots on the whistle.

A.J. Gemperline
 

> Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 03:08:43 +0000

> From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

> Subject: Signal Gongs in Engine Cabs

> To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org (  N&W Mailing List)

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> Has anyone found in the N&W literature reference to signal gongs (bells) in 

> engine cabs?

> 

> These were saucer-shaped bells usually mounted on the underside of the roof of 

> the engine cab, and connected to the "bell cord" which ran the length of the 

> passenger train.  "Two taps on the signal bell" was, in the industry, the 

> Conductor's signal for the engineman to start the train, "three taps on the 

> signal bell" was a signal to stop at the next station, etc.

> 

> By the very early 1880s, George Westinghouse had made the air activated 

> "Communicating Whistle" a standard part of his air brake equipment, and the old 

> rope-pulled signal gong went away.

> 

> Has anyone ever seen reference to signal gongs/signal bells in the literature of 

> the N&W and its predecessor roads?

> 

> Yeah, yeah, I know... It's another Burnett search for the needle in the 

> haystacks of history.

> 

> -- abram burnett

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