Hello everyone! I'm an aviator by trade but my passion has always been for steam railroading. I recently completed the restoration of a PRR steam locomotive bell. The process took over 13 months. The last two digits on the bell are unclear but it may be from K4s #1188 - "The Skyline". The bell has had some modifications which may have been done by the railroad. I've posted a 14 min video about the restoration and the possible history of the bell on YouTube. I know there are a lot of experts in this forum and I'd be most interested in your thoughts. Thanks for your time and consideration... Pete in Orlando, FL.
Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjzS2ibBPgs
Nice video Pete! And a great restoration!
I wouldn't sweat those pits in the surface, I'm guessing they were always there in one way or another. Those bells were built for service, not for show, minor cosmetic flaws in the casting wouldn't have made a difference to the end user.
That non-standard wheel is a bit of a mystery. I'd guess the bell might have been donated to or aquired by a church or school at some point.
And aboard!
PS: I'm curious, what kind of flying do you do?
Thank you for your kind comments Flintlock76 – I appreciate you taking the time to watch the video! The purpose of my very first video effort was twofold. First, I’m thirsty to find out where this bell went following her retirement from the Pennsylvania Railroad – I’m confident that someone knows. Secondly, I wanted to demonstrate that even a hobbyist with basic tools and skills can make an ugly railroad bell look beautiful. I really enjoyed bringing this bell back to life and it is my hope that my enthusiasm is demonstrated in the video.
I believe you are absolutely correct about the pitting. It was likely caused by extremely small air bubbles during the bell's original casting process. The finish on my Southern Railways Mikado bell (also shown in the video) is flawless.
You may be absolutely correct about the bell having been modified for a donation to a church or school. It is my understanding that the PRR was rather generous in donating bells at the end of the steam era. The wheel attached to the bell is definitely not standard. That said, whoever did the perfectly engineered modification spent a lot of time and energy on the project (and had some very specialized machinery). I suspect that the modification was done by the PRR. Would the railway have gone to that much effort for a donation?
I knew when I purchased the bell that it would be controversial... and truth be told I enjoy a good mystery! As a side note, I have just learned that the bell was found in a storage facility in Traverse City, Michigan.
Oh, and as far as the aviating goes I'm an Airbus captain for a major airline - I'm very blessed!
aboard!
Fantastic job all the way around!
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I am certain that the 'correct' clapper that was obtained has greatly enhanced the sound over the clapper that originally came with the bell.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Thanks for the response Pete!
An Airbus captain? You're blessed all right, I'd have given ten years off my life to have been able to do that!
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" you might ask? Not really, when you think about it they're the worst ten years of your life anyway!
The PRR might have done the wheel modification, but in my experience any good machine shop anywhere worth it's salt could have done it. It really doesn't matter. The bell's still around and not gone for scrap and in a good home, which is what DOES matter!
As an aside, the only time surface pitting in a bronze casting would have been a concern would have been in the casting of bronze cannon barrels from the 16th to 19th Centuries. Severe surface pitting would have been a "red flag" for possible casting flaws in the barrel, obviously no x-rays or ultrasound analysis back in those days. Not too important for bells, but very important as far as artillery was concerned. An inspector would have ordered it melted down and re-cast.
Just a bit of useless knowledge.
Flintlock76 Just a bit of useless knowledge.
CSSHEGEWISCH Flintlock76 Just a bit of useless knowledge. Which is exactly what makes it worth knowing
Thanks Mr. Hegewisch! Just an attempt at self-deprecating humor on my part.
MyPrrBell,I disagree with your comment about the red paint. While I cannot speak as to PRR practice, bells were indeed painted red inside. There are quite a number of color photos available and on one forum there was a discussion about the insides being painted red.
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I remember that discussion Big Jim. In the end I think the consensus was no-one really knew why the insides of bells were painted red. They just were.
I would note that the clapper that 'came' with the bell as bought was likely specifically installed to minimize impact damage or wear -- unless I'm mistaken, it's hardwood. If there are any plans to actually ring the bell, it would be better to keep such a clapper installed.
In railroad service, you want as loud a tone as possible, so a heavy piece of metal is used. The effect of this on the bell metal is easily seen in the pictures... and is not of course required, or most likely wouldn't be appreciated, in private ownership as an artifact. (I would substitute a hardwood clapper or at least a compliant striking face, and display the 'historically correct' clapper next to it as a separate exhibited detail.)
There may be no 'one best answer' for the paint inside the bell, but wear from repeated contact and fretting vibration is certainly a reasonable one. Note that if I remember the RyPN and other discussions correctly, the right 'red' would have been the 'toluidine red' used for number plates and station signs, not 'Tuscan', and that appears to be at least reasonably close to what's been used.
I have to wonder how much of the pitting is the result of chronic exposure to sulfurous coal dust and combustion gas over the years. I don't think bronze PRR bells were painted in service (as the steel WWII or freight bells would have been) so it may be logical that 'accelerated' chemical corrosion might be induced at certain point on the surface, including at areas of 'casting porosity' or different spot metallurgical condition.
There should be casting number references in the PRR archives, either the state's collection (as so valuably used in the T1 Trust's research) or in the collection in Lewistown. That might help determine the 'provenance' of that wheel, and if it were a railroad service modification -- I suspect it might have been done when the bell was initially donated to its 'first home'.
I wonder if the black paint removed (in coats) from the inside of the bell argues for an 'older locomotive' application. Bronze bells were reserved for passenger power in at least the immediate postwar years, and there may well have been a cutoff for use of bell metal bells on, for example, switchers before that time. Someone with particular knowledge of PRR practice ... for example, on the PRR groups.io group (that took over from PRR-FAX and the PRR Yahoo Group) or on RyPN ... will know more specifics.
My thanks to everyone who has viewed the video. I’m also very grateful for those who have left comments. I know that people are often reluctant to publicly post their opinions which is why I listed my email address at the end of the video. Should I come up with any substantial revelations about the bell’s history I’ll be sure to share them in this forum.
Thank you, BaltACD, for your comments about the clapper. Yes, there was definitely a noticeable difference in sound between the two clappers! When I received the bell it was actually quite difficult to swing. I don’t think it had been rung in many years. The bearings were full of grit and void of lubrication. With everything cleaned and lubricated the bell swings quite easily now.
I’ve learned that Big Jim is correct about the inside of some railroad bells being painted red while in service. A gentleman who is very knowledgeable about the PRR informed me that it wasn’t uncommon for some of their bells to receive this treatment. On this bell I saw no previous indications of interior paint… just a lifetime of dirt and grime. The good news is that now I don’t feel so guilty for giving her a coat of paint!
Thank you, Overmod, for your comments. The small clapper which came with the bell is definitely metal. I’ve seen a similar clapper on a Perin and Gaff bell. My personal opinion is that the original clapper was “liberated” as a souvenir somewhere along the way - one large wrench is all that would have been required. Your comments about the pitting may be accurate. The pitting wasn’t consistent and was most significant on the forward facing side of the bell.
Your suggestions, Overmod, on the casting numbers are appreciated. The number on the wheel is 18Z1517 and on the cradle is X20829. If anyone has easy access to any of these databases I’d be delighted to hear from you!
Thanks again to everyone for helping me in my quest to unravel this mystery!
I agree with the others in this thread, that 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. There are probably more pits on the front because that's were the rain hits when the locomotive is moving forward, also might be from coal dust, sand, or other debris kicked up by the locomotive.
Matthew Cheng
Come check out my Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlaF4fvDX1brq6YOeODLPw
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