Associated Signal Company

## Associated Signal Company Electronic Bells

A third generation ASC electronic bell, in service on a crossing in Sacramento, CA.

The Associated Signal Company was a short-lived producer of electronic crossing bells between 1992 and 1994. While the company itself was short-lived due to the niche products it sold at the time, a significant number of these bells remain in service today, a testament to their design.

## History

The Associated Signal Company was formed in February 1992, based out of Palantine, IL. The company was formed by Thomas Dickey and Thomas Y. Gehr, Sr, and was an early producer of electronic crossing bells. At the time, electronic bells were few and far between, as the technology had not yet become widespread in the United States. A few railroads, particularly Kansas City Southern, had interest in installing these bells to see how electronic bells could compare with the then-standard mechanical bells. Originally, the ASC electronic bells were rectangular in shape, outputting in a single direction, before the design would be refined into the well-known omnidirectional design with a white cap. ASC's bells ran on 12VDC as standard. Unfortunately, while the bells proved to be of high quality and reliability, the company itself would go under in January 1994, likely due to only producing a single product that was too ahead of its time and failed to adapt. ASC electronic bells can commonly be found on KCS lines, as well as commuter lines. Despite 30 years of service, these bells prove to be very reliable.

There are three distinct generations of ASC electronic bell, all with a unique appearance:

## 1st Generation

The first generation of ASC electronic bell was introduced in February of 1992. The first generation has a unique appearance that sets it apart from every other electronic bell used in the United States. The bell is rectangular in shape, with a single open side where the sound outputs. The bell looks rather prototypical in design. The bell's internals are housed inside the top of the bell, as would become standard on American electronic bells later on, with a removable panel on top allowing access to the board. The board itself was produced by Tenelex Industries, the same company who produced the boards for the General Signals Type-1 electronic bells. The boards are identical to the boards used by General Signals, save for the lack of a pitch adjuster on the ASC bells. The board has a speaker underneath, which outputs sound downwards onto a triangular surface, which then projects the sound from the bell out of the open side of the bell. To protect the bell from debris, a mesh screen is bolted to the open side of the bell. The bell is held onto the signal mast by screws, lacking a dedicated base.

The first generation ASC electronic bell caused much confusion in the railfan community, with many speculating of it being an early General Signals or Harmon design. It was eventually confirmed in 2023 that these bells were in fact made by ASC. Interestingly, these bells have a nearly identical sound to the General Signals Type-1 electronic bell, which would not be introduced until 1995. The 1st generation ASC was only produced for a short time, being replaced by the 2nd generation sometime between 1992 and 1993.

## 2nd Generation

The second generation was introduced sometime between 1992 and 1993. The second generation was a complete revamp of the design, and was the introduction of the white-topped design that ASC became well known for. The second generation did away with the rectangular shape of the first generation, instead switching to a rounded design that was easier to produce and sat flush with the mast. The bell continued to use a directional design, outputting in a single direction rather than omnidirectionally. Only one side of the bell is open, outputting where it faces. The bell's internals are housed inside of a rounded removable white cap on top of the bell, where the board and speaker are mounted. The speaker outputs downwards, hitting a triangular surface which projects the bell's sound out of the open side of the bell. To protect the bell from debris, a mesh screen is bolted to the open side of the bell. The bell is held onto the signal mast by screws attached to the base of the bell.

Interestingly, these bells have a nearly identical sound to the General Signals Type-1 electronic bell, which would not be introduced until 1995. Unlike the first generation, the tone and ring speed on the second generation bell are adjustable by the installer, allowing the bell to be a higher or lower pitch if desired. While the bell often sounds the same as the General Signals Type-1, it uses a custom board designed by ASC themselves, instead of the Tenelex board from the previous generation. The second generation would also be short-lived, being replaced by the third generation in 1993.

## 3rd Generation

The third generation was introduced in 1993, and was the final design produced by ASC. It was designated as the Model 81848-#1267. This generation was less of a radical change compared to the previous two designs, improving upon the second generation design by making it more compact and omnidirectional. The third generation bell is much shorter in height than the second generation, and unlike the past two generations, the third generation is omnidirectional, outputting in all directions evenly. The bell is rounded in shape, with 4 openings in the middle of the bell where the sound is output from, and 4 support struts holding the bell together. Like the second generation, the bell's internals, such as the board and speaker, are housed inside of a distinctive white removable cap. The speaker outputs downwards onto a conical surface, which evenly distributes the bell's output in all directions. To protect the bell from debris, a mesh screen is included on the inside of the support struts, which protects the openings. The bell is held onto the signal mast by three screws attached to the base of the bell.

These bells most often have a lower-pitched sound than most electronic bells today, sounding like a down-pitched General Signals Type-1. The tone and ring speed on this bell are adjustable, allowing the bell to be customized to the railroad's liking. These were the most successful design that ASC produced, and make up a vast majority of surviving ASC electronic bells today. Unfortunately, it was not enough to save the company from dissolving in 1994.