Niles

Niles has all 2001s of various ages, consisting of one Roundback (formerly two), 3 2001-130s and 2 2001-SRNBs. 

Previously, Niles also had a Thunderbolt at a school which was fitted with an FC and tied in with the current system around 2003, but that school was torn down in 2013. There was also a Thunderbeam at Waddell Park that was originally located at the City Building downtown before being moved here later on; it was installed in 1986 with donation money following the May 31, 1985 F5 tornado, which killed 9 people and injured 250 in the city alone. 

Following this tornado, efforts were made to bolster tornado preparedness which included many cities and townships in Trumbull County electing to install systems of tornado sirens, most of which did not have them at the time of the tornado. 

Federal Signal 2001-130 - Located at Waddell Park, this siren replaced the Thunderbeam which was previously located here in May of 2025. As of 7/6/25, siren is not yet operational, but is now connected to power. Photos taken on 6/7/2025 and 7/6/2025 by Kurt (SF57). 

Federal Signal 2001-SRNB - Brown St. by Niles Middle School 

Installed as part of a system upgrade in 2003 that also saw two sirens moved to new locations. Photos taken from the Cannon-Waddell Mansion, now called The Von Isley Estate, which is privately owned. Much thanks to the volunteers at the estate for allowing me to take these photographs. Photos taken by Kurt Benedict, 11/2/2024. 

Removed Sirens

Federal Thunderbolt 1000 - Washington Elementary School, 800 Hartzell Ave. Siren was removed from the system and went down with the building when the school was demolished in 2013. Photo credits: Niles Historical Society and Aaron Turner (Old Ohio Schools - link to original)

Federal Signal RSH-10A "Thunderbeam" - Waddell Park. This siren was installed with donation money in 1986 after the May 31, 1985 F5 tornado ripped through the city. Tests of an electronic siren system built by a local company, Audiax Communications of Warren, using Atlas speakers were done in early 1986 but proved inadequate. Following this, existing air raid sirens from the 1950s were attempted to be overhauled, but several had problems after installation. Donations for this siren were provided by the Eastern Ohio Conference of Methodist Churches and the Niles Fourth of July Celebration Committee. Originally located downtown behind the City Building, it was moved to Waddell Park at an unknown point between 1986 and 2003.

Photos taken on 10/2/18 by Kurt Benedict.