Restoring a Pennsylvania Railroad Steam Locomotive Bell

The restoration and history of a Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive bell.

[@trainzguy2472]

Found you off the link from the trains magazine forum. This is so underrated. Love it!

[@blushingfrieza]

Not even a slight enthusiast, but your presentation has made me a believer. That was a hallow sound. Beautiful and i just say, excellent work! Looks like I've got a new time killer lol

[@peternewman3847]

Thank you so much, St. Clout, for your kind comment - it made my day. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the video and I do have to agree - the bell really does have a hallow sound!

[@peternewman3847]

I'm very grateful for the recent comments! I created this video with two thoughts in mind: I am hoping to find out where this PRR bell went for the 65 years following her retirement. Secondly, I wanted to demonstrate that even a novice with some basic tools (and an abundance of time) can make an ugly bell look beautiful. You have a good ear Nicholas! I did some research and found some videos of Cuyahoga #4070. You're right... the bells do sound very similar! I own two large locomotive bells - they both have a 16" mouth but sound very different. I have no additional information to report on the bell's history. I continue to believe that the wheel was a railroad modification and that the bell was NOT donated. Based on the original gray paint I suspect it was retired from the railroad and went into hibernation. The original clapper was likely "liberated" as a souvenir somewhere along the way - just a large wrench would have been required. I'll be sure to share any future substantial history information here in the Comments section. Thank again for watching!

[@Newmanhumanresources]

Great video - there's a lifetime of stories behind that bell. Well done!

[@PRR5406]

I think it's off 1188, and there are several reasons why. At least one semi-shrouded K4s was painted Tuscan red for several years. It had a specific train assignment which may be explained in Stauffer's Pennsy Power 1. That explains the red under the cradle paint. Second, if this bell was assigned to the semi-shrouded locomotive, the wheel would facilitate cranking under the shroud. I think the wheel may have been added if the bell had been moved to a church steeple or some big shot's back yard. That would help reason out the gray paint. The nick marks in the bell surface indicate people trying to ring it by throwing stones. That's what we have on 470's bell. Since there are casting indicators on the wheel, I think it is something put there by the PRR. When I first looked at the bell assembly, I thought it might be off an E7 Atlantic, but again, that cradle indicates a heavier locomotive. I like the way you brought up the shine and display the piece. Personally, I would never have sand blasted it, but it was your bell and your choice. I have a keystone number plate off an M1 Mountain, and the previous owner used it as a grease trap under his portable grill. While it still had gold leaf along the raised edges, I had to strip it and paint it as was Pennsy's later practice. I couldn't bring it into the house as it was, patina or none!

[@trainzguy2472]

I think all the tiny pittings may have been caused by acid rain eating away at it. Coal emits sulfur dioxide when burned, which then reacts with water to form a strong acid. It has so many pits likely because it was on top of the locomotive (where most of the rain falls) and in very close proximity to coal exhaust for most of its life.

[@PowerTrain611]

PRR 1188 seems likely, seeing as it had they skyline semi-streamlining for a time. It was probably one of the few that received the Tuscan Treatment for the BWL as well - it would explain the layer of Tuscan paint you found when you were stripping it.

[@henrybrightonmusicuploads]

The sound is unmistakable… that is a PRR bell you have!

[@jaedenlyons]

Bells can speak, just not in words! XD

[@joepagano6047]

Hi Pete, After seeing your beautiful bells the other night, I had to follow up by watching your KZbin video. In your home you were displaying your hobby and works of industrial art. In the video, I can clearly see your passion. Well done! Joe

[@peternewman3847]

Hey Joe, it was great meeting you! Thank you checking out my video and leaving a comment here on KZbin. I really appreciated your interest in my restorations and look forward to seeing you in Philly!

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

Sounds great!

[@peternewman3847]

Just another quick update. Some people bring home lost puppies while I bring home neglected 200 pound steam locomotive bells - just one of my many character flaws. I recently completed the restoration of another PRR bell. It is very similar to the bell in this video and it came complete with all of the original hardware. Interestingly, there was a bit of the same pitting on the bell surface. I do now believe that this pitting was caused by the "acid rain" created by the locomotive smoke. Based on the large amount of pitting on the video bell it lends credence that it may have been under a locomotive shroud for a period of time. Also, about 50% of the inside of the bell still had original red paint. I guess the PRR did paint some of their bells! I polished the bell to a high luster but left the inside of the bell as I received it. Cheers, Pete.

[@peternewman3847]

Just a quick update for everyone. My video has been posted for about a year and has over 10,000 views. To date, I've not been made aware of the bell ever having been donated after her retirement from the railroad. I'm very grateful for everyone who has taken the time to write or watch. I've received a lot of great feedback and have even made some new friends. One viewer who is very knowledgeable about train bells reports that he has seen several bells with a wheel having come from shrouded locomotives. Post Covid, an effort will be made which may confirm if this bell came from #1188. I'll be sure to post the results. Thanks! Pete

[@peternewman3847]

Thank you for your comments PRR5406! Your thoughts on the sandblasting are appreciated. There is sometimes a very fine line between accurately preserving history and making something look attractive for display in the home. I'd like to think that I found a reasonable compromise. You are correct on your reference to Alvin Staufer's "Pennsy Power" book. On page 178 it reads, "In the early 1930's a few K4s's were painted Tuscan Red instead of Brunswick Green (Pennsy official passenger locomotive color)." A number of viewers have commented privately that the wheel appears to be very well proportioned to the bell. The fact that there is a casting number on the wheel also leads some to believe that it was a PRR railroad part / modification.

[@patmc854]

I would consider contacting the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania located in Strasburg, PA. They have a collection of bells on display and they specailize in Railroad equipment that ran in the state of Pennsylvania including the Pennsylvania Railroad.

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Cool video

[@adamm2693]

Very nice bell! A deep G with a prime of B

[@Fidgetdidget]

the moment I heard that I was like "that's a classic PRR bell!"

[@amontri3246]

I just recently found a huge bell just like that one definitely a train bell if interested let me know

[@anthonynigri8585]

0:05 what whistle

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

Southern PS4 3 chime IIRC

[@williamjester8561]

Great video! I just came across a steam loco bell and plan on restoring it. It is 17" wide at the rim. I wonder about it's history also!

[@peternewman3847]

Thank you, Bill, for your comment and email. Your bell looks fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing your restoration!

[@rondelby2482]

I have an unmarked bell off of a train and back in yesteryear it was used as a school bell. It has a bif 4 inch round ball top but flat at bottom. It rings with a middle D note but no after tones..It is 15 inches wide...Would you know anything about this type of train bell? I was made where the rope goes into the train cabon.

[@peternewman3847]

Hey Ron, thanks for checking out my video. I'm certainly no expert but I do have some resources and might be able to offer an educated opinion. You're welcome to send me some photos. My email is: [e-mail]. Cheers!

[@chukiatrmetheeprapha2642]

13:03

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

Bell sounds very simular to Cuyahoga Valleys 4070.

[@brianfalzon6739]

Wow, also sounds like 765, 1223 and 7002.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@brianfalzon6739 1223s bell sounded shallower. I’d prefer D&R 9, 765s bell from 1989, and 7002

[@rondelby2482]

I have an old train bell that rings in a middle D note...It has no identification on it. It is 15 inches wide. It was used by the school board on one room school in 1800s..The stand is missing and i guess their machine shop made a steel square cradle for it. Do you have any ideo who may have made this unmarked bell?

[@anthonyabbott3514]

I have a old air bell from a locomotive the air blows bye the thing that makes it ring would you know how I could fix it

[@bazis98]

That narration of Pennsy Steam, was that Danny of Distant Signal Productions??

[@UndreamedFool17]

I found a bell in a landscape. I am gonna try to get the person to give it to me so I can restore it. I think the bell is a lot alder than this one. I found a date of 1886 on the bell.

[@AndreFamily7]

I have an old RR bronze or brass bell i think . that I just purchased. it doesnt have the clapper , etc It is 22 inches in diameter and has 18 .Might I have some help to find the train and also now to build something where I can ring it and has number 186 and an odd scratch near the top and weighs at least 100 -150 pounds . there is a hole in the top where the clapper would have gone

[@AndreFamily7]

any help so appreciated

[@angrymonkeylures]

I have recently come in possession of a large locomotive bell. I was hoping on some info on how to restore it and where to look to find what locomotive it was from. I have a date of 1903 or 1908 on the frame. Also a number on the bell of 2702? I believe it is about 250 pounds. Any help would be welcome. My brother and I have caught what we like to call the bell bug. Thank you.

[@peternewman3847]

Hey Keith... thanks for your note! Congratulations to you and your brother on your bell acquisition. Bell restoration can be addictive - be forewarned! As you can see from my video, restoring a bell isn't a quick process. That said, I take great pleasure in turning ugly into bling. I hope that this video gave you some helpful ideas. Tracking a bell to a specific locomotive can be very challenging. With a bit of luck and some time spent on the internet you just might get lucky. Not all railways put numbers on their bells as they were frequently interchanged. The fact that you have a number(s) is a great start. While I'm definitely not an expert I do have some resources to share that might be helpful. Please send me a note and some photos to the email address shown at the end of this video ([e-mail]). I'd be happy to try and help!

[@duaneross9271]

I came by an old steam engine bell,it does not have the bracket. How could a guy try to find a bracket for my bell,any help would be great.

[@peternewman3847]

Hey Duane. Thanks for checking out my video. I'm of the opinion that finding a bracket to fit your bell is going to be a challenge. Bells and frames were typically cast to be paired together. You're welcome to email me with some photos and basic measurements. I'm definitely not an expert but I do have a decent amount of knowledge (and know some people who might be able to assist). [e-mail]

[@ashthegeek]

Does it sound like a church bell?

[@nicolashah1583]

The

[@immortalgamingyt6182]

Just the...did you have a stroke

[@traindude432]

Rat

[@jenniferelmer5325]

Why are you not gonna ruin the bell? Are you scared of two? Be

[@oswaldjacobs1882]

tf is your problem ?