I am trying something different on my channel starting with this video. I am going to start occasionally making videos on other peoples railroad equipment/collections and repairing/restoring them. The owner of this equipment requested that I repair (as seen in this video) as well as restore the various bells in their collection.
I believe WCH 1st gen bells have a single base and 2nd gens have a stair-step base. Safetran 1st gens have the bell mounted sort of on the back of the base and 2nd gens are directly on the base. I know some Australian Safetran bells have stair-step bases I think
I had a couple of these bells and the hammer would not strike the gong you had to pull it down pretty hard to get it to strike so I bent the hammer a little big closer to gong and fixed it
I just got one of these WCH bells a while back that was sitting in a signal yard for at least 15 years laying gong flat on the ground got it from a maintainer and it worked first time I wired it up
Rarely do mechanical bells have issues. You will almost always find them working. The main culprits for a bell not working is an improperly adjusted contact gap, wear from lack of oiling and the hammer overtime wears down and needs to be readjusted or flipped around. Rare problems include cracked gongs which are easily prevented by periodic rotation of the gong and broken hammers/hammer stems. Now they are all being replaced due to lack of maintenance (particularly from one of the above). You don’t see signal maintainers going up on ladders to oil them anymore mainly because it is considered unsafe to climb ladders that high, especially with uneven grounds and OSHA regulations require to use 3 points of contact on a ladder at all times which is what killed the ability to regularly maintain mechanical bells.
When the hammer gets worn enough, you can even flip it around and bend the arm the other way so it doubles the life of the hammer. I am currently accepting requests for repairing stuff as long as it is dropped off or I travel and repair on site. Sending stuff in the mail is a no-go for me at the moment as too much can go wrong. I am more than happy to make a video to explain what you need to do to make a repair or where to find certain replacement parts if need to be as well.
The bell is already looking great I have a question I have a Raco bell and I’m wondering where I can find those fabric washers for the joints on my bell I’m not sure if my bell has those or not
I am not sure yet whether the fabric washers are a standard part or specific to the SAFETRAN/RACO bells. Worst case if it is specifically for those only, you can make your own as long as they hold oil and let the parts move freely.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals interesting I do have a friend who knows how to work on them I might be able to fix my bell I will first look inside to see if they have fabric and if they don’t my friend will be able to help
Just about any type of oil that does not evaporate, is a liquid and designed for metal will work. Thicker oils like grease may result in unsatisfactory function for the smaller parts and it will make it harder to clean up and re-oil.
with the wch mechanical bell rainsheild and gong, the rainsheild may just be slid back a little bit. I have one of these but a 2nd gen not a 1st gen but they use the same parts.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals I just remembered that sometimes depending on the casting the gap size between the gong and housing could be different also causing that
@@RailroadSignsandSignals do you know how to open a railroad padlock? I got one on eBay and have no idea how to get a key, because I couldn’t find one. It’s one of the ones that looks like it has a bolt inside it
![My Associated Signal Company (ASC) Rectangular Electronic Bell [USA Railroad Crossing Bell]](/img/n.gif)
I am trying something different on my channel starting with this video. I am going to start occasionally making videos on other peoples railroad equipment/collections and repairing/restoring them.
The owner of this equipment requested that I repair (as seen in this video) as well as restore the various bells in their collection.
Good idea! I collect all types of signal equipment and appriciate the info. I have that wch bell, but also have never seen that odd adapter.
Please do more of these videos!
@@RailroadSignsandSignals I am planning on collecting equipment for a crossing signal to build on my grandparents property where I will be living soon
Mechanical bells get repaired. Wow thats satisfying.
Looks like you fixed them right, that’s really good!
I believe WCH 1st gen bells have a single base and 2nd gens have a stair-step base. Safetran 1st gens have the bell mounted sort of on the back of the base and 2nd gens are directly on the base. I know some Australian Safetran bells have stair-step bases I think
I remember I had one of these a while ago and I soaked those felt watchers in oil and then put them back on
My maybe guess on that wch bell was it maybe used for a drawbridge
I had a couple of these bells and the hammer would not strike the gong you had to pull it down pretty hard to get it to strike so I bent the hammer a little big closer to gong and fixed it
I just got one of these WCH bells a while back that was sitting in a signal yard for at least 15 years laying gong flat on the ground got it from a maintainer and it worked first time I wired it up
Same with me except they were sitting there for probably longer
Rarely do mechanical bells have issues. You will almost always find them working. The main culprits for a bell not working is an improperly adjusted contact gap, wear from lack of oiling and the hammer overtime wears down and needs to be readjusted or flipped around. Rare problems include cracked gongs which are easily prevented by periodic rotation of the gong and broken hammers/hammer stems. Now they are all being replaced due to lack of maintenance (particularly from one of the above). You don’t see signal maintainers going up on ladders to oil them anymore mainly because it is considered unsafe to climb ladders that high, especially with uneven grounds and OSHA regulations require to use 3 points of contact on a ladder at all times which is what killed the ability to regularly maintain mechanical bells.
Nice! I did not know how to adjust a hammer in the bell before but that explains it!
Also are you accepting requests to repair bells?
When the hammer gets worn enough, you can even flip it around and bend the arm the other way so it doubles the life of the hammer. I am currently accepting requests for repairing stuff as long as it is dropped off or I travel and repair on site. Sending stuff in the mail is a no-go for me at the moment as too much can go wrong. I am more than happy to make a video to explain what you need to do to make a repair or where to find certain replacement parts if need to be as well.
The bell is already looking great I have a question I have a Raco bell and I’m wondering where I can find those fabric washers for the joints on my bell I’m not sure if my bell has those or not
I am not sure yet whether the fabric washers are a standard part or specific to the SAFETRAN/RACO bells. Worst case if it is specifically for those only, you can make your own as long as they hold oil and let the parts move freely.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals interesting I do have a friend who knows how to work on them I might be able to fix my bell I will first look inside to see if they have fabric and if they don’t my friend will be able to help
Great work!
7:56 maybe came from a drawbridge?
The origination of that part has been identified.
What oil are you using?
Just about any type of oil that does not evaporate, is a liquid and designed for metal will work. Thicker oils like grease may result in unsatisfactory function for the smaller parts and it will make it harder to clean up and re-oil.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals i like the videos
@@RailroadSignsandSignalsthanks! Saw one for sale near me, wasn’t sure if it worked.
with the wch mechanical bell rainsheild and gong, the rainsheild may just be slid back a little bit. I have one of these but a 2nd gen not a 1st gen but they use the same parts.
I didn’t think about that! I will check again once I get the opportunity to make another video.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals I just remembered that sometimes depending on the casting the gap size between the gong and housing could be different also causing that
can i have your WCH bell ?
Not my bells to give. Repaired these for someone else.
@@RailroadSignsandSignals oh ok
@@RailroadSignsandSignals do you know how to open a railroad padlock? I got one on eBay and have no idea how to get a key, because I couldn’t find one. It’s one of the ones that looks like it has a bolt inside it
You must find the correct socket size to fit the lock if it is the hex style lock.