Are Chinese steam locomotive parts and appurtances still available for purchase through a North American agent? Specifically, are new steam whistles available? I'm, trying to supply information to a researcher. Any help would be appreciated!

K.R. Bell
Librarian/Archivist
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

> Are Chinese steam locomotive parts and
> appurtances still available for purchase
> through a North American agent?
> Specifically, are new steam whistles
> available? I'm, trying to supply information
> to a researcher. Any help would be
> appreciated!

As of about a year ago, yes, they are still available, at least the whistles. I read a review in Horn & Whistle Magazine reviewing the whistles. Long story short: You spend about $500 for rough castings of a five-chime step-top that you must machine (competent machine shop a must) to both cosmetic and operational acceptability. If I recall right, one must even cut the desired threads and acquire a whistle valve. They are perhaps the perfect answer for an operational steam railroad needing functional replacements that are not theft-worthy, but they are no replacement for a collector of Crosbys, Longerans, Nathans, or Hancocks.

Kurt, get back to me and I'll relay you to those that know more about this fun stuff.

lner4472@bcpl.net

Some years back, Georgetown Loop bought a Russian copy of a Nathan 5 chime from Don Shapiro. It had an internal poppet valve built into the flange mounting which we discarded, turned and threaded the flance to fit a bell reducer, and piped the reducer to a whistle valve. Worked well and sounded nice. Maybe we can find a Russian source for more parts?

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> Dear Kurt:
I import a variety of steam locomotive parts from China including whistles, mechanical lubricators, injectors, air compressor governors, etc.
The whistles that I bring in are 5 chime step tops threaded for 1-5/8" British pipe, so an adapter must be made.
Contact me directly for more information.
J.David


Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
jdconrad@snet.net

J. David: Many thanks for furnishing the information. I have forwarded it to a potential customer who may be in contact with you shortly. Thanks again!

Kurt Bell
RR Museum of PA

> I import a variety of steam locomotive parts
> from China including whistles, mechanical
> lubricators, injectors, air compressor
> governors, etc.
> The whistles that I bring in are 5 chime
> step tops threaded for 1-5/8" British
> pipe, so an adapter must be made.
> Contact me directly for more information.
> J.David