This is the kind of stuff that makes me sick. A great restoration and now someone has to steal the bell. Please let us know of any special markings on the bell so that we can be on the lookout for it. I have found missing builder's plates over the years, but have not had success with bells and whistles. Hope that it does not get melted down for quick money!!

I know that there are people in the world who could/would do some low-down, rotten things, but why in the world would someone steal a bell off an operational steam locomotive? I can't stand thieves, especially thieves who would steal parts from a steam locomotive (for one reason or another). I truly hope that whoever did this is caught and sent to jail, and the bell is returned to Southern #154, safe and sound.

To any and all railfans/train enthusiasts out there, please help spread the word. Let's try to help get Southern #154's bell back where it rightfully belongs: on Southern #154.

Facebook page about the theft: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 553&type=1

Unfortunately, this is nothing new. 611's original class plates were stolen off her in 1982, right after her restoration for excursion service. She was under steam (parked overnight) at Shaffers Crossing. Spencer had the air horns stolen off of two in service diesels a few years back. In 2009, someone cut the fence at our 9th St facility and stole the bell of of GP30 522 and two cast iron crossing signs, both of which were fortunately replicas.

I've never understood the mentality of someone who would steal such a thing. One of the most enjoyable things about having something special is sharing it with friends. Hope all is made right and justice is served.

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

I'd be interested to know just how on earth those thieves were able to get a bell off of a locomotive. Don't those things weigh a hefty chunk?

Just curious, where was the locomotive stored when this happen? Was it secured? Had it been operating earlier that day? I'm not asking in order to criticize, but I think we can all learn a bit from this once more details are released. Thieves are getting smarter, and it is our civic duty to share these methods among each other in order to help us all be better prepared.

Zak: I have no knowledge of where the locomotive was being kept, but if I'm not mistaken it hasn't operated since November of 2011.

One could only hope it was stolen by a rail fan. If it was stolen by you average thief seeing a huge chunk of brass to scrap it could be cut up into pieces by now. The rail fan at least will not destroy it and a chance of it being recovered might still exist.

Either way, just sickening!!!

I just got word earlier today on Facebook about this so it's getting out there quick. Hopefully with all the publicity it's getting it will be found or atleast some leads.

I cant post on the trains forums, someone with a reasonable high speed connection will have get in there and post, just hit the main trains discussion dont bother with the preservation areas. get to the high view forums

I spoke with Scott Ogle today and it appears that only the bell proper was taken, not the cradle. The engines are kept in a secure location which would require cutting/scaling a fence to get to them. They are working aggressively, IMHO, to recover the bell. I offered a loaner form the collection here, but unfortunately the SR steam bell I have was the wrong size.

I sincerely hope they can find the bell, and better yet the SOB that took it. Unfortunately this business seems to attract thieves sometimes.

...and finally 154 is quite serviceable -- I've seen her hot within the last few months and as with any tea kettle, they appear to be constantly making repairs and improvements. I cannot imagine a better or more caring ownership for that engine than the folks at G&O. They've certainly done more with 154 than the local NRHS morons were ever going to.

ETA

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are mine alone and are not intended to represent or speak for G&O and its affiliates.

Charlie,
No offense taken by this "NRHS Moron" .... the level of stewardship for history shown by those in that Chapter is a travesty. Having met some of the G&O guys recently when they visited here, I agree with your sentiments... I hope the thief is caught and then suspended from a signal bridge by a tender portion of his anatomy, followed by community service cleaning out porta-johns... with a spoon

Gary,

That NRHS shot wasn't directed at you, but then I'm guessing you knew that. OSRM is certainly the NRHS' village idiot, and Pete certainly did the preservation of things Southern Railway (ETV&G actually) a tremendous service by separating OSRM from 154. And I was thinking toothbrush rather than spoon....

ETA

So whats the over/under on the bell being stolen by an (expletive deleted) foamer vs. a crackhead who can't tell brass from copper?

I did not see that anyone had done this by Friday morning, so I went ahead and put up a notice on the Trains Magazine general discussion, about 6:00 am Central time.

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it, I live here in Knoxville, and did not know. I wonder if Sou 107 or smoky mtn. 107 (154's sister parked up at the entrance to Dollywood) would be able to loan its bell if they cannot find 154's. But I hope they are able to find it nontheless and hope to see it running this season.