So I recently acquired a US&S Model 15A Crossing Bell, aka a Teardrop bell that reportedly came off the Wabash and cosmetically restored it and did some minor servicing to get everything working back at 100%. It was working, but it works better now and sits in my basement and I ring it at least once a day to keep everything loose. That's not the point of this thread, the point of this thread is to see where I could possibly set it up one day to ring for a train or two. How would this be possible? All I need is a car battery and a cord with Alligator clips to make the bell work where ever and whenever I want. I WOULD NOT HOOK THE BELL UP TO THE PHYSICAL CROSSING. I WOULD ACTIVATE THE BELL MANUALLY. That is the easy part, the hard part of this whole thing is WHERE DO I SET UP THE BELL? So that is where I come to you, people of railroadfan.com. I want all of your minds to come together on this thread, and give me some ideas on where I should set up the bell. I want to call it a contest, but it's more of just a gathering of ideas. Only a few rules I gotta impose though. The bell has to be set up at a crossing where there is a regularly scheduled train everyday (I can't sit outside with a 50 lbs bell for too long); and the drive cannot be ridiculous (I don't want to drive to Holland or Lansing and back, that's too far for me. If the equipment at the crossing makes it worth it I will consider it). If you want to make the decision easier for me you can pick a crossing that USED to have Teardrops in service at that location.
FYI for those of you that don't know, I am in the Grandville area to help out with crossing distances.
So, people of railroadfan.com, I ask you:
Where would you like to see a Teardrop bell make a guest appearance?
I will post which crossing(s) I will be bringing the bell to and when (date and time) I will bring the bell out when I make the decision(s). Most likely I will bring my camera with me to capture the event on film and for youtube.
Good Luck!