Western Railroad Discussion > Does auto bell exist in real life trains specifically BNSF and UP

by autobell it is when you pull the horn the electronic bell sounds automatically. 
I have seen it enabled on some newer HO trains and wondered if in real life this exists.
If so can it be disabled with a switch on the train?

thanks

You can't disable auto starting of the bell but you can turn it off once the horn starts it.. likewise you can operate the bell manually as when you only want to ring the bell but not blow the horn. It's a matter of some disocontent when the bell doesn't start automatically because that means you have to start it yourself....yeah...first world problem. 

engineerinvirginia Wrote:
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> You can't disable auto starting of the bell but
> you can turn it off once the horn starts it..
> likewise you can operate the bell manually as when
> you only want to ring the bell but not blow the
> horn. It's a matter of some disocontent when the
> bell doesn't start automatically because that
> means you have to start it
> yourself....yeah...first world problem. 

Interesting so lets say you turn off the engine and according to regs you must give the horn a short toot so the bell would sound also for a few seconds? That is if that regulation is still followed.

Sterned Wrote:
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> engineerinvirginia Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You can't disable auto starting of the bell but
> > you can turn it off once the horn starts it..
> > likewise you can operate the bell manually as
> when
> > you only want to ring the bell but not blow the
> > horn. It's a matter of some disocontent when
> the
> > bell doesn't start automatically because that
> > means you have to start it
> > yourself....yeah...first world problem. 
>
> Interesting so lets say you turn off the engine
> and according to regs you must give the horn a
> short toot so the bell would sound also for a few
> seconds? That is if that regulation is still
> followed.

Depends on the engine...the ones that use bleed air from the horn may activate instantly....or not....the ones that are elecrically activiated...there's seem to be a very short delay where you can make some quick toots...and the bell will not activate...there's no rhyme or reason...some are just more sensitive than others.