Information on bell needed

[Mantiques]

I purchased this brass locomotive bell the other day and would like some information on it. It is 12” in diameter and is a smooth finish. I think it may be a EMD but the bell itself is not marked. It has the 8044623 EMD part number on the spacer block and a raised tag with the number 89 or 99 on the spacer block also. The clapper movement is marked Viloco – Chicago with model # BR 33 (or 23 hard to read). It is a brass movement. It is missing the lock plate and moisture separator.

 One of my questions is; what was the power on this one , air or steam? The hole in the top is small about 3/16. It is possible the original air fitting was broken off?

I was planning on taking it apart next week to get it working so any information would be helpful.

Photos can be seen on my facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/Mantiques-Owner-Phil-Walter-141608502655308/

 

Thank you Phil

[BaltACD]

If it is a EMD bell, it's actuation would be air powered.

[SD70Dude]

https://www.facebook.com/Mantiques-Owner-Phil-Walter-141608502655308/

Link heated up.

I suspect this example came from a Canadian Pacific locomotive, they bought diesels with brass (or brass-painted) bells until about 1990, and the paint on the underside looks suspiciously like Action Red.

It will most certainly run on air, the question is what is the optimal pressure.  Locomotive main air reservoir pressure is upwards of 130 PSI, does the bell line have a regulating valve to reduce that?

A side question, did any locomotives have steam-powered bells?  I have only ever seen air and hand-operated examples.

Modern diesels have an electric speaker that sounds like a bell.

[gmpullman]

Hello,

Mantiques

The hole in the top is small about 3/16. It is possible the original air fitting was broken off?

Judging by your photo, yes, the nipple has snapped off. It was probably 1/4" NPT. Careful work with an E-Z Out and some penetrating oil should remove the "stub".

 

This informative site has quite a bit of EMD bell, ringer and mounting information:

http://www.bellsandbirmans.com/bells/bellfacts.php

 

A recent photo in the Summer 2018 Classic Trains (P. 80) shows what looks like a bronze bell on a nearly-new (June, 1968) Erie-Lackawanna SD45, 3633. 

Good Luck, Ed