Steam Train Bell

[Kodiak]

This bell was taken from a Steam Train that was being scrapped in the 1930's by my grandfather. He told me years ago that he might have info on the actual train in his files somewhere. I have his files now and haven't found anything yet. I took these pictures about 5 years ago. It was mounted outside at the time. I have been keeping it inside my shop since then. There was some fine moss on the black bracket but that washed off and it looks better now. I searched the internet trying to find as much info on train bells as I could. It has a solid bronze bell and cast iron frame/bracket. It is really really heavy. I don't have a scale that could handle the weight. My guess is over 200 lbs.
I am going to sell it but I need to do somemore research before I do. I am looking for web sites or bell/train collections that may be interested. I don't know if ebay would be the best place to sell something like this. Any help/info would be appreciated.

Cheers

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[PBK]

Hi, Kodiak--

Brosamer's Bells would be at the top of my list. Here's a link:

http://www.brosamersbells.com/

All the best,
PBK

[Kodiak]

Thanks PBK

I also found the American Bell Association message board. I will try to pick their brains.

Cheers,

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

K,

that is one nice bell.

A real artifact from the old days.

I would sure check your grandfather files.

If you have to sell it, the more info you have
the better the price.

Again, nice bell. Shame it has to leave the
family.

have a good un..............

[Kodiak]

Ya I remember when I was a kid and went to visit the grandparents the bell always got some attention from us. We must have drove the neighbours nuts ringing that thing.

I too would like to keep in the family but I don't have any kids and I don't plan on having any. The days of being able to keep something like this outside in a yard are almost gone. I mean I hear on the news about these meth/crack addicts steeling the bronze placks from war memorials and grave markers just to sell them for scrap. I think it would be gone before I knew it. I would hate to see it melted down for scrap. I don't live in a bad place now but I will be moving to a more urban environment soon. Also as much as I love it I really hate moving this thing.

I will keep searching for details on it. I know that will really help the value, plus the historical record should be keep intact whenever possible.

I have a few other things that he gave me. I have a transit (surveying instrument) from the 1800's. Solid brass in a wood case with a leather carring strap. The water(oil?) filled level and lenses all intact and working. My grandfather thought it was used by a railroad company, but I don't think there is any proof of that. My grandmother also gave me her shaving mug collection. All very old. She said she quit collecting in the 50's because she had to many. I think there are 38. Her father had a barber shop on a Mississippi riverboat in the late 1800's and some were also his. I have a photo of him in the barbershop on the riverboat. So I have lots of stuff to remember them by. It makes it easier to part with the bell.

Cheers,

[Dunrobin]

I am now the proud owner of this steam locomotive bell. Anyone interested in the history on it before it was acquired by the previous owners grandfather feel free to ask. I am in the process of restoring it.

If anyone else has a steam locomotive bell they want to sell or if they are not sure what it is off of I can identify it for you.

[Diggit]

Anyone interested in the history on it before it was acquired by the previous owners grandfather feel free to ask. I am in the process of restoring it.

Well, POST IT! :-)

[ncsilverspider]

How much? What railroad? What type of steam locomotive? How old? What's it look like? Story and pics please!!! Congrats!

[Dunrobin]

1929 PCS Bell. Locomotive scrapped in 1954. Restored. Just needs a base and some touch up. BC Forest Products was the last railroad it was used on. The previous owner's grandfather worked for the railroad, restored the bell and hung it on a post for years. I restored it to what it looked like when it was new. I removed the red paint from the inside of the bell because it was added by the previous owner. Original clapper marks were painted over. Now it sits in my basement for now.....

[dominickspez]

beautiful job what did you use to polish it up?

[Dunrobin]

I put it in a lathe and used 320 emery with WD40 to remove the varnish and tarnish that was on it then used fine steel wool with Brasso and WD40. last step was extra fine steel wool with Brasso and WD40.

On to the next one....

beautiful job what did you use to polish it up?

[bob schmidt]

I put it in a lathe and used 320 emery with WD40 to remove the varnish and tarnish that was on it then used fine steel wool with Brasso and WD40. last step was extra fine steel wool with Brasso and WD40.

On to the next one....

We have access to three identical bells on Vancouver Island. We are looking to sell at least one of them so we can buy a steam whistle (prefer a Lunkenheimer three chime brass one) we need. Please note all three brass bell are painted red inside, have 14.5 inch diameter throat, and iron cast cradles with pedesals. It will need polishing as time has tarnished the brass/bronze.