Large Scale Central

This Rings a Bell

General Discussion
#1

I always wanted a nice brass locomotive bell at the entrance to the new layout. Something else to annoy the neighbors with. Real locomotive bells are expen$ive! I am cheap thrifty.

So, I found an inexpen$ive cast post bell at a flea market- $20. It needed some cleaning up and some paint. I already had a large cut off from an old 6 x 6 post and a post cap. I also had a pipe flange and a small piece of pipe in the garage. I added an old dog leash and a little paint.

I planted it on the path leading to the layout (layout still under construction). Hey, for 20 bucks, it’s got a nice ring to it…

-Kevin.

#2

Nice bell… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#3

The estate is looking very nice. Do you ring on entry, leaving or both?

So you are running around without a leash now?(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

Edit for: S p a c in g

#4

Nice! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#5

What a deal that looks really good.

#6

I like it. Can’t beat the price !

#7

Very nice bell Kevin.

I guess I need to come back to Buffalo for flea marketing. Went to our large local one a few weeks ago with my brother (from Clarence) and actually saw a similar bell. The yoke had been repaired with some very ugly hardware and the asking was $150. I kept walking.

#8

Very cool!

#9

Great idea and well executed.

Real bells are way too expensive if you can even find one.

#10

Great idea but Im confused…you run powered boxcars. Should it not be a horn on the post. Sorry had to(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif). Im just just jealous because I dont have one to ring.

#11

Love the bell, and for the price i would have jumped at it also. But I agree with Shawn an nice seven chime air horn hooked to an air tank would surely please the neighbors.

#12

I am blessed with a real locomotive bell which is from a CNR 2-8-0 steam locomotive. It is cast in bronze…no I do not polish it…!!

I do have pictures of the actual locomotive it was last on. Those bells often got switched from one locomotive to another, when the locomotives were going through the shops, so you can’t always be certain what loco any bell originally was on.

My bell was removed from a certain loco, at scrapping, and the locomotive number was documented by having its number stamped in fine lettering on its top. The lettering also documents the date the locomotive was built, and scrapped. The initials of the two people who have owned the bell are also stamped there too. It was never hung in a harp, as it was suspended over the boiler front, from the top, and was air operated.

We use the bell to start our operations, on the IPP&W, every Saturday morning. We use a small hammer to ring it. I have finally convinced everyone to strike the bell on the inside, where there will be no signs of damage on the relatively soft bronze.

If anyone cares to drop by with a few cans of Brasso, and strong arms…I’ll supply the rags to polish the thing. At this point an industrial type electric powered buffer might just help a lot !!

Fred Mills

#13

Thanks, all. A real bell would have been great. I actually ran across one at an estate sale (of all places). It was a beast! Definitely off of a big locomotive. It was way out of my price range- $1100. So, I guess I’ll just be happy with my $20 stand in bell.

Shawn and Devon- I actually have an air horn to annoy the neighbors with, as well. But, once again, I couldn’t afford the real thing. My stand in air horn is actually from a boat. It’s not quite the sound I’m used to hearing from CSX or NS, but it definitely gets the neighbors attention. I’ve run across some actual diesel air horns from time to time. They are always way out of my price range. My stand in air horn was $8 plus some elbow grease. It sounds like it could have come from a small switcher or something. I was gonna hide it in the bushes along the walkway to our front door this Halloween. Imagine how much candy would be scattered on my front lawn when the kids jump out of their socks!!!

-Kevin.

#14

I’m jealous of your frame and lever. I have a bell that the machinists made for my Dad on his last sea duty.

I have mine at the driveway entrance with a sign;

Ring the bell and please sign in, a ranger will come to escort you back to public property.

No takers, but they skeedaddle real quick!

John