Federal Signal Plant Questions

[KC9LEA]

really? thats cool. maybe next summer i'll go down there for a test
and make a video![/quote]

Yes they do still work. As of January 2008, there is a 2001-130, Modulator, and an Eclipse. I went for a video in August and a security guard confronted me and asked me what i was doing, so be careful where you film from.

[500AT]

I can see where that Modulator would be very useful for as big as that plant is. I don't suppose they ever had an XT22, or SD10 up there years ago?

They did have an SD-10, and later on a 3T22 outside, when their factory was located at 135th and Western Ave, in Blue Island, Illinois.

[CDV777-1]

My question about their plant is, that whenever they replace their sirens out on their front door, are they just for show, or do they actually work? Do they just display one siren at a time (like the thunderbolt being replaced by the 2001 and the 2001 being replaced by the eclipse)? How often do they switch them around? And last but not least, do any of their competitors show off their sirens at their plants?

Federal does have a phone. Why not call and ask them?
Just an idea.

[RamFett]

Hey, anybody know anything about ASC's facility? I live in Milwaukee and have never been there.

I've always heard that they don't take kindly to siren enthusiasts and collectors, though.

[500AT]

You know, Federal used to have a completely restored "Lion" at their University Park, Illinois location. It was placed on a small tower that was two meters tall, just outside the front entrance as you walked to the main doors. The siren used to belong to the city of Peotone, Illinois. They purchased it in the early 1920s, from the Federal Electric Company.

Sadly, by the early 1990s, the elements of nature had taken its toll on this siren, and they sent it to Federal to have it completely restored. Interestingly enough, Peotone wanted the siren completely rebuilt, as it had a completely unique tone and they didn't want another siren. Apparently, the Peotone City Council felt it was in the best interest of their citizens, not to change the frequency pitch of the siren, since it had been serving the city for so many generations.

Conversely, Federal cut a deal with the city of Peotone, and they gave them a complete 2001DC system, in exchange for the Lion, which senior technician Dan Bierovic called a "Federal Model B." Nonetheless, Federal had it on display at University Park, painted in it's original "fire engine red," and sadly few years later it was gone.

I called up Federal and asked them about the status of this historic siren, and the president of the company called me back, but he was not familiar with the Lion in question. However, he assured me that it's probably stored in their historical collection, as part of the future corporate museum. Nevertheless, does anyone remember the siren that I am referring to? Moreover, I wonder what Federal has in their "historic collection," and when their museum will be open to the public?

[mgear]

The plant really isnt big at all. I found it surprisingly small when
i went there. It almost didnt look like a plant at all.
however there are many plants right near it. big industrial area..

Really? I could swear that I looked it up on the satellite map and that it looked huge. I must have looked at something else mistakingly.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2& ... e=h&lvl=17

Doesnt look big to me, but....

It didnt look nearly as big in person...

Gil is that the mod near the trees and the water tower?(It's just a white dot.)

[Rheems1]

I have been to Whelen factory, there are no outdoor warning sirens on display. The closest town (which is not all that close) is Chester, CT and they have a Federal 2T22 siren at thier firehouse. If you go the other way, you go to Deepwater, CT. The firehouse at Deepwater has a Whelen 2016 at it (part of the Millstone Power Plant system)... that is the closest Whelen to the plant.

Dave Fritz

[3t22]

I have been to Whelen factory, there are no outdoor warning sirens on display. The closest town (which is not all that close) is Chester, CT and they have a Federal 2T22 siren at thier firehouse. If you go the other way, you go to Deepwater, CT. The firehouse at Deepwater has a Whelen 2016 at it (part of the Millstone Power Plant system)... that is the closest Whelen to the plant.

Dave Fritz

Whelen is in Chester almost on the Deep River town line (one of my aunts works for them in the vehical lights and siren assembly line). The Chester Hose Co home of the above mentioned 2T22 is about 2 miles from the plant (yes the 2T22 is active, and runs great). There's WS 2000s all over the place around the Whelen plant. Some are for the Millstone plant for now, as they're in the process of upgrading to 2910s (we've got 7 of their old WS 2000s waiting to go up), some are for local VFD use (wail for FD calls, alert for Millstone, attack for it's obvious purpose).

[hobbeekid]

I called up Federal and asked them about the status of this historic siren, and the president of the company called me back, but he was not familiar with the Lion in question. However, he assured me that it's probably stored in their historical collection, as part of the future corporate museum. Nevertheless, does anyone remember the siren that I am referring to? Moreover, I wonder what Federal has in their "historic collection," and when their museum will be open to the public?

Wow! Federal Signal has a museum planned? that would be cool to go look through wonder when that's going to happen? I'd take a trip to see that!

[Thunderbolt 612]

Too bad that couldn't be done with the other companies at their manufacturing headquarters.