A Wig-Wag Warning Bell is a highway crossing warning device to visually and aurally alert motorists and pedestrians of an approaching train. When a train is present, the "stop" signs wave back and forth and a bell sounds.

The Marx 417 Wig-Wag Warning Bell is 7 1/2" high, making it a 1:48 scale model of a 30' high signal. It serves well for a toy train layout: the moving sign and ringing bell get attention. The Mark 414 is a similar accessory, without the wig-wag arm. The Marx 314 is a warning sign, without the wig-wag or the bell.

The Marx 417 Wig-Wag Warning Bell is made entirely of formed sheet metal. The base and solenoid cover are painted black. The stand is painted red. The signs are lithographed in red and black on a white background. The bell is plated.

There is a solenoid for moving the "Stop" signs and another for ringing the bell.

Electrical connections are made to two binding posts on the base.

The wig-wag bell can be operated with an insulated outside track rail. Make a short (inch or so) insulated rail section. Connect the insulated rail section to one terminal and the other terminal to an accessory transformer (12 volts, AC). The bell will ring and the signs will swing back and forth as train trucks enter and leave the isolated rail outside track section.

The Marx Wig-Wag Warning Bell can also be operated with Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller or Two Relay Controller . An isolated rail track block is constructed positioned so that the accessory is activated before the train reaches the highway and stops after the train has passed the intersection.

The UTAC configuration features of "Slow Flash," "One-Time Bell Ring," "Bell Ring," and "Crossbuck" are all useful for operating the accessory.

The 2RC features of Slow Flash, Fast Flash, Crossbuck, and Fast Crossbuck can be used.

Wires from the bell and wig-wag solenoids can also be disconnected from the terminal post and individually connected to the UTAC or 2RC. Connecting the bell to "One-Time Bell Ring" and the wig-wag solenoid to "Slow Flash" will produce an appealing operation. The inputs to both features are connected to the same isolated outside rail track block.