steam engine bell

[Anonymous]

I was given a huge steam engine bell. down here in south-eastern louisiana the bell may have come from several rail roads. it could be 1 of the following: southern pacific, southern, L&N, KCS,IC, mississippi central, texas & pacific. i don't think santa fe or UP came as far south as new orleans. the bell bracket is black, the bell is nickle-silver. the big clue is the numbers 4 8 5 is drilled in dot to dot fashion in the top of the bell.
the demensions of the bell itself is 16 inches at the bottom, and 13 tall from bottom to bell to bottom of the bell bracket.


does anyone know which of the above railroads had a 485, what configuration was the engine? better yet, how many railroads drilled the numbers into the top of the bell anyway- that would greatly widdle down the number of RR's.

where can i get the silver or copper ball that screws onto the top?

how in the world would i clean up the bell, its a mess (tarnish and bird droppings)?

thanks a billion for any info!!!

blake[:D] [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I was given a huge steam engine bell. down here in south-eastern louisiana the bell may have come from several rail roads. it could be 1 of the following: southern pacific, southern, L&N, KCS,IC, mississippi central, texas & pacific. i don't think santa fe or UP came as far south as new orleans. the bell bracket is black, the bell is nickle-silver. the big clue is the numbers 4 8 5 is drilled in dot to dot fashion in the top of the bell.
the demensions of the bell itself is 16 inches at the bottom, and 13 tall from bottom to bell to bottom of the bell bracket.


does anyone know which of the above railroads had a 485, what configuration was the engine? better yet, how many railroads drilled the numbers into the top of the bell anyway- that would greatly widdle down the number of RR's.

where can i get the silver or copper ball that screws onto the top?

how in the world would i clean up the bell, its a mess (tarnish and bird droppings)?

thanks a billion for any info!!!

blake[:D] [e-mail]

[chemung]

skmoe53,here is some info about engines #485 from your list.
SP-Texas&Louisiana,2-6-0,482 to 485,retired 1947 to 1953
So.2-8-0,480 to 489,retired 1934-1950
KCS-Louisiana&Arkansas,2-8-0,475 to 532,retired 1939 to1954.Many converted 0-8-0
T&P 0-8-0,482 to 489,no retirement date
UP,2-8-0,480 to 499,retired 1929-1958

[chemung]

skmoe53,here is some info about engines #485 from your list.
SP-Texas&Louisiana,2-6-0,482 to 485,retired 1947 to 1953
So.2-8-0,480 to 489,retired 1934-1950
KCS-Louisiana&Arkansas,2-8-0,475 to 532,retired 1939 to1954.Many converted 0-8-0
T&P 0-8-0,482 to 489,no retirement date
UP,2-8-0,480 to 499,retired 1929-1958

[Anonymous]

thanks a million for the reply---- unless i can find out which rr's drilled the numbers in the bell, i doubt i'll be able 2 narrow it down. blake

[Anonymous]

thanks a million for the reply---- unless i can find out which rr's drilled the numbers in the bell, i doubt i'll be able 2 narrow it down. blake

[Anonymous]

http://steamwhistles.com/audio.html Try this link,they have a discussion group that talks about bells and whistles.Maybe they can help.D

[Anonymous]

http://steamwhistles.com/audio.html Try this link,they have a discussion group that talks about bells and whistles.Maybe they can help.D