Stations with "Train Approaching" bells (Trivia)

[takno]

Back in semaphore signalling days, knowledgeable passengers could have all sorts of clues that a train would be coming. Listening for particular block bell codes, seeing a semaphore arm move, hearing the signal wire being pulled even if you couldn't see the signal, were all signs that something was happening.

It still hasn't changed that much. I spent 25 minutes last night at a station in Sweden watching my train sitting stationary on the GPS map at the previous station down the line. Eventually I just gave up and watched the adjacent level-crossing barriers and signals, which saved my data allowance significantly.

Modern tech is nice and everything, but none of it is quite as satisfying as the bell at Foregate Street used to be 30 years ago.

 

[Forty29]

On the SVR a continuous bell rings a few minutes before the arrival of a service at Kidderminster and l think maybe Bewdley, though there maybe other stations on the line too. On the KWVR recently l heard bells sound on stations before an arrival. I expect other heritage railway's have also.

 

[EYFanatic]

Quite sensible of the dogs. I'd be alarmed too if a bell went off to indicate that a train was arriving inside a house

Trains arriving in a house hasn't happened since the late fifties when an E2 at Tidmouth Shed crashed into the Tidmouth Station Master's house

 

[4COR]

Trains arriving in a house hasn't happened since the late fifties when an E2 at Tidmouth Shed crashed into the Tidmouth Station Master's house

Coach F of the derailed sleeper train at Morpeth on 24th June 1984 did finish 10ft inside of a bungalow. An unscheduled and unfortunate arrival.

 

[Port Road]

The signalman at Dumfries used to operate a bell for approaching passenger trains, 1 long ring for an up train, 2 for a down (or vice versa, can't remember). That finished when the box was updated in the 90's.

 

[Beebman]

Trains arriving in a house hasn't happened since the late fifties when an E2 at Tidmouth Shed crashed into the Tidmouth Station Master's house

In 1961 a Cravens DMU paid an unwelcome visit to 13 & 15 High Barn Street, Royton.

 

[StoneRoad]

Coach F of the derailed sleeper train at Morpeth on 24th June 1984 did finish 10ft inside of a bungalow. An unscheduled and unfortunate arrival.

IIRC, It was a good job the occupiers were away on holiday !

 

[Trainspecial]

On the SVR a continuous bell rings a few minutes before the arrival of a service at Kidderminster and l think maybe Bewdley, though there maybe other stations on the line too. On the KWVR recently l heard bells sound on stations before an arrival. I expect other heritage railway's have also.

Buckfastleigh has one

 

[iamraymond]

On a similar theme, Warrington Bank Quay always has a 'this train does not stop here' announcement which appears to trigger automatically when a freight or non stopping train approaches. I've never noticed one at other stations although it's probably quite common and I've never noticed.

Milton Keynes platform 6 seems to have this every few minutes

 

[Bikeman78]

Horsham used to have a bell but I reckon it's 25 years since it stopped. It was one ring for an arrival from Dorking, two for Crawley and three for up trains. Another way to tell that an up train was imminent was that the motor generator of any other train in the station would slow down slightly. Up trains draw a lot of power on the climb from Christ's Hospital.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

The buffet (excellent one) at Manningtree had one operated by the signal box - very handy so you could finish your pint !

 

[Western Sunset]

Branksome had one for the down platform until at least a couple of years ago. The station is in a cutting on a slight reverse curve.

 

[The Prisoner]

Penrith had a “do not cross unless light illuminated” barrow crossing until maybe 10 years ago? Basically when the light went out you had about 60 seconds to avoid being taken out by a 87.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I spent some time as a trainee at Pontypridd South SB , (1979) and there were platform bell plungers there and in use.

 

[johnny_t]

I heard one the other day (albeit at Goathland, so probably doesn't count)

 

[Forty29]

Milton Keynes platform 6 seems to have this every few minutes

Yes is quite common, at least the stations with through running lines l've been on warning of a non stop working. I was on Islip station and the warning was announced but had looked at Real time trains a few minutes before and nothing was due, it was a DB 66 light engine. A few minutes later l again consulted RTT and showed as light engine from Didcot to Northampton Gateway. Weird.

 

[D6130]

When I lived in Petersfield in the mid-1970s, there was an electric bell on the front of the station building, close to the old ticket barrier, which was operated by the signaller. One ring for an up stopping train approaching, two for a down stopper and three for a non-stopping train in either direction. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was still in use until the recent closure of the box.