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Re: [CBQ] Story Posts-My Bell

To: "CBQ@yahoogroups.com" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Story Posts-My Bell
From: qutlx1@aol.com
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:28:41 -0600
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Louis

It's raining cats and dogs here in no ill (yes on 1/29) instead of snowing but tomorrow or the next day i'll go measure the bell. The gong is free swinging and the inside of the bell is painted red. My memory of brass diesel bells were they were unpainted. I will look the top over closely for a number. Thanks for the info.

You and I have more in common than the Q. For the last 7 years I've made my living buying RR cars for scrap and reconditioning. I am very familiar with the various branches of the Pielet family and their enterprises.

Leo

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 29, 2013, at 4:55 PM, LZadnichek@aol.com wrote:

 

Leo - What a wonderful story about your great uncle Bill. My two O5a bells each have the engine number deeply incised into the top, no mistaking what locomotive they came off of. What is the bottom diameter of your bell? My two bells measure approximately 14 inches diameter across the bottom. If your bell is the same bottom diameter +/- an inch, most likely from a steam engine. Now, I've also got two EMD diesel bells (one off a FT at Pielet Brothers circa 1962) and each of them measure approximately 11 inches bottom diameter. If your bell is this size, then not necessarily off a steam engine, but could be. The fact that the purchasing department person could lug the bell makes me wonder if it wasn't of a smaller diameter and possibly off an early diesel....or "small" steam engine. Also, is the gong inside the bell attached to an air powered ringer or just hangs loose? If air powered, almost certainly diesel era. There is a company that will cast a complete bell cradle to fit the smaller diesel bells. I've seen one and it looks GOOD. Depending upon what bottom diameter your bell measures, such a cradle may or may not fit. Let me know the diameter and I can make an exploratory inquiry for you. Plus, your bell has me curious. Again, what a wonderful story. Can't believe the seniority issue raised when Uncle Bill legally changed his name! Unbelievable..... Thanks for sharing it - Louis      
 
In a message dated 1/29/2013 3:36:44 P.M. Central Standard Time, qutlx1@aol.com writes:


Louis,
 
I have a Q bell that came directly through the GOB at 547 W Jackson in Chicago or from 14th st. Here's the true facts of how I came to possess my  bell in the same condition that it came off the loco.and some history about the orginal owner after the Q. Unfortunately I do not know the # of the locomotive it came from.
 
My great uncle Bill had a 1943 seniority date as a trainman so he worked for years with steam. By the mid to late 50s he had enough seniority to hold baggage runs and the dinkies as a collector. He preferred these over frt. Some on the list,with Chicago roots, will remember Bill as the winter swimmer featured in the Chicago Tribune for his trips to Lake Michigan where he would break the ice and go swimming. Actually he went swimming in the lake every day he had a layover in CUS. Bill was a muscle builder and very health conscious. He had immigrated from Germany where he had been a body builder and gym instructor. That's what he did for a living upon arrival here and worked at Mt Morris travelling back and forth to Aurora on the Q. That's how he told me he decided to go RRing. He thought the passenger trainman had a pretty good thing.
 
So as steam was being scrapped,Bill had a number of company G.O. office employees on his morning and evening runs. One of whom worked in the stores/purchasing dept., Bill pestered the poor guy, you have to picture this muscle bound German,with his deep accent,standing over a guy in his seat, repeating over and over how badly he wanted a bell day in and day out . He insisted on paying  for it,those who knew Bill remember he would have it no other way. So one night after backing in from 14th street yard and opening the doors; Bill was greeted by the purchasing dept fellow carrying a bell which he presented to him. The man suprisingly refused to accept payment. Bill proudly took his bell home. Living in the country on some acres he mounted the bell on a post surrounding his patio. My aunt rang the bell at lunch and dinner to call Bill into the house.
Bill dutifully took the bell down each winter when they went to Mexico and TX and put it back up each spring.
When he passed the bell stayed until my aunt passed and then the executor sold it to me for the princely sum of $300. None of my siblings had the least interest. I want to use it in the same manner Bill did but my better half will not allow "that ugly thing" on our patio so it sits securely tucked away.
 
It is mounted on a farm dinner bell type swinger rather than the correct hanger and pedestal. If anyone can help me secure the correct attachments please contact me off list.
 
Oh, one last true historical side bar............. As WWII dragged on Bill decided he had,had enough anti German comments directed at him. His surname was Wohlschanslaglel(not sure I have the spelling correct) so he decided to legally change his name to Wohl. After doing so in the legal system he notfied the Aurora BRT lodge of the change and that's when the trouble started. A few younger guys maintained that since his name had changed Bill should have a new fresh seniority date. It was put to a vote and defeated by cooler heads in the lodge. Talk about characters !
 
When I made my first passenger trip on 9/27/74 I wore one of his unifrom jackets with full  Burlington hardware and hat. I must have been a site for a couple weeks until my uniform was ready !  I have a matched set of Q "airline pilot" Condr and trainman hats that will never be seen on my swap table at the meets that Bill gave me.
 
Yes, I just found all my old timebooks and yearly note calendars in the attic over the weekend. All these years I've been going from memory on this list,now I have reference material.
 
Leo



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