Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Fake Brass Railroad Bells

From: "P Janovick" pjanovick@neo.rr.com

I found your site while searching for info on a PRR brass bell I bought about 15 years ago. I was told the bell I bought was an authentic rail bell, how can I tell if this is true or if it is one of these fakes? What is the incorrect engraving that I should look for ... or anything else ?

I would appreciate any info you can give me. My grandfather worked on the PRR all his life, and I was hoping this bell (along with other PRR memorabilia that we found after his death ) could be a link to him for his great-grandchildren.

Thank you in advance for your assistance

Patty in Ohio

9 Comments:

Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

There are many genuine railroad bells around. We have found the following website helpful (although it does not seem to have a section about bells):
http://www.klnl.org/pgFakes.htm

Perhaps you could get some assistance from the following:
http://railroadcollectors.org
http://www.rrmuseumpa.org
http://www.prrths.com
http://www.rrhistorical-2.com/rlhs/

When making inquiries, you'll need to provide high quality digital photographs of the bell.

5/25/2005 4:34 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

The Brosamers Bell website has a photograph of a bell identified as being from a Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive. Another. A third "PRR" bell. They also make reproduction bells.

Giesler Engineering continues to produce "The Pennsylvania Railroad Bell."

Here is a list of Links to websites featuring railroad related antiques and collectibles.

caveat emptor

5/25/2005 5:08 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

From: "P Janovick" pjanovick@neo.rr.com

Thank you so very much for the sites you sent and for your fast response too! This will be a big help. ...

Patty

5/25/2005 10:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Garry Middleton" gmiddleton@dmi.ca

Great Site! I'll be spending some time on it.
I was wondering if you could answer one question?
I have a souvenir bell Titled "old Central" "1865-1910" Would that have any significance to this railroad?
To me it looks more like a school bell design with a ring for the top than a railroad bell, but the suggestion was made to check. ...

—Garry Middleton

8/14/2012 7:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Doubt with that inscription that the bell has any relationship to the Central Pacific Railroad.

8/14/2012 7:56 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

See fake bells.

8/14/2012 8:05 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

See Fakes & Reproductions: Miscellaneous Items.

8/14/2012 8:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Garry Middleton" gmiddleton@dmi.ca

... The bell in question isn't a real one, but a souvenir about the size of a shot glass. It has a button on the front with the dates in the middle and the words "Old" above, and "Central" below. The 'ring' on the top of the bell is just a molded design. No clapper or even a spot to put one. So it's clearly a commemorative piece, I just don't know for what.

—Garry Middleton

8/14/2012 9:23 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

See related discussions.

8/14/2012 9:26 AM  

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