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"Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:03 am
by EastCoastFilmer
PPL Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Berwick, PA once had a system of Thunderbolt 1000s, and some of which had some unique jailbar grilles, in which the jailbars only went horizontal. This is the only picture I could find of one. Also unlike a normal jailbar thunderbolt, these Thunderbolts were some of the last Thunderbolts produced by Federal Signal (in the mid 80s), installed shortly after the Berwick plant began operating, and from looking at the picture, the jailbars almost appear to be affixed to the screen rather than the horn.
Unfortunately, all of these Thunderbolts were removed between 2008 and 2012 after being replaced by T-121s in 2008, and I have not heard anything suggesting where they've ended up, and have not found any information of any collectors obtaining any of them. (The story of the ATI's pictured can be found in other posts regarding this system.)
Does anyone have any information on Thunderbolts with this unique jailbar grill? Anyone know if they ended up on other 'bolts outside of PPL's system?
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:30 pm
by nvanw27
That ATI HPSS-32-R is HOT. Too bad none remain, that'd certainly be a rarity!!
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:04 am
by Glist
EastCoastFilmer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:03 am
PPL Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Berwick, PA once had a system of Thunderbolt 1000s, and some of which had some unique jailbar grilles, in which the jailbars only went horizontal. This is the only picture I could find of one. Also unlike a normal jailbar thunderbolt, these Thunderbolts were some of the last Thunderbolts produced by Federal Signal (in the mid 80s), installed shortly after the Berwick plant began operating, and from looking at the picture, the jailbars almost appear to be affixed to the screen rather than the horn.
Unfortunately, all of these Thunderbolts were removed between 2008 and 2012 after being replaced by T-121s in 2008, and I have not heard anything suggesting where they've ended up, and have not found any information of any collectors obtaining any of them. (The story of the ATI's pictured can be found in other posts regarding this system.)
Does anyone have any information on Thunderbolts with this unique jailbar grill? Anyone know if they ended up on other 'bolts outside of PPL's system?
To be blunt, there's absolutely no way any of the PPL Thunderbolts came out of the factory with jailbar grilles. Jailbar horns were only produced from 1952 (beginning of production) until 1954, which means a mid 1980s Thunderbolt with an original grille is out of the question.
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 3:32 am
by Model L
It is likely that the screens failed, and they put in a new screen with "jailbars" to prevent the same failure from happening again.
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:38 pm
by Chem_Boffin_6589
The screens aren't attached to the bars. The most logical thing I can see is that it was an ex- CD donation from a local municipality.
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 10:54 pm
by fire_freak_57
Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:38 pm
The screens aren't attached to the bars. The most logical thing I can see is that it was an ex- CD donation from a local municipality.
No, these were C-series Thunderbolts from the 1980’s, so that is out of the question.
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 12:59 am
by RylanPalmese
Were those custom made jailbar grills? That might be why they look so derpy
Re: "Jailbar" Thunderbolt question
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:39 pm
by Chem_Boffin_6589
fire_freak_57 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 26, 2019 10:54 pm
Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:38 pm
The screens aren't attached to the bars. The most logical thing I can see is that it was an ex- CD donation from a local municipality.
No, these were C-series Thunderbolts from the 1980’s, so that is out of the question.
I'll have to ask around because having a siren with bars in the horn, looking as ratty as that, and being from the 80s just seems to good for me.