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For want of a bell bracket the bell was lost...

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  • Member since
    February 2021
  • 1,110 posts
For want of a bell bracket the bell was lost...
Posted by crossthedog on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 6:17 PM

Hi all,

I have an IHC Slovenia-made Northern Pacific 0-8-0 one side of whose bell bracket is broken off. I have found many bell-and-bracket detail parts for sale online, but the bracket is always much curvier, like the psalmist's lyre. The one I need, shown here, curves a little at the base but is otherwise pretty straight upright on both sides. These are the best photos I can find of the part I need:

The IHC part number listed in the instruction sheet that came with the loco is 641-311 "Bell". I suppose this would come as both the bell and bracket together. I don't need the bell, but if it came with the bracket that would be fine.

Do any of you have a source for weensy steam parts like this? I found the Texas-based IHC parts store online but the bell they have is just a brass bell on a post, no bracket. Googling IHC and the part number brings back a lot of results for Porche auto parts, but no bell bracket.

A longshot, I know. Anybody?

Thanks,

-Matt

Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: The Netherlands
  • 26 posts
Posted by dredgeboater on Thursday, April 21, 2022 4:48 AM

Dear Sir,

You just may try and search the various sites with 3D printing objects related to Model Railroading.

While I do not remember where, I do remember to have seen a complete bracket and bell in a maybe s scale.

That design can be reduced in scale before slicing and printed after that.

Hope this will ring a bell...

Dredgeboater 

Better to be roughly right, than to be exactly wrong...

And when you do what you did, you'll get what you got!

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Thursday, April 21, 2022 7:57 AM

How about Cal-scale?  Here is one that's pretty close:

https://www.tmrdistributing.com/presta/index.php?id_product=9320&controller=product

Simon

  • Member since
    February 2021
  • 1,110 posts
Posted by crossthedog on Thursday, April 21, 2022 11:48 AM

Thanks guys. I saw most of these already. The only one that's close is the ebay one, but sheesh, I got this loco for 26 bucks (sorry if I beat out anyone here) and it's a steal at that price, but if I start paying $9 for details and $5 shipping on each, it won't be such a great deal anymore. I'm tempted to carve my own bracket. 

Dredge, thanks for the reply. I hadn't considered a printed version. I don't have a printer, but I know someone who does.

-Matt

Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: The Netherlands
  • 26 posts
Posted by dredgeboater on Thursday, April 21, 2022 2:16 PM

Dear Sir,

Found some you just may use for the 3d printed option....

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2767870/files

After 70 yrs, memory still serves well...

 

Better to be roughly right, than to be exactly wrong...

And when you do what you did, you'll get what you got!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Monday, May 2, 2022 3:24 AM

The offset on the hanger is not just so the mouth 'clears' as the bell swings, and the bell 'balances' rotationally to be easier to pull: on the prototype, it determines the timing of the swinging bell.

Carve or print your own to fit.  There is nothing "special" about the version that came on the locomotive.  You do have the option of 'opening up' the mouth of the bell, painting the inside, making a crank or air operator... etc.

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