Did the Pioneer Zephyr have a bell?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve put a soundtraxx diesel decoder in my Zephyr, and a TCS decoder for the motor, much quieter now.

Do I use the bell?

Thanks, Ken.

2

Dave Harrison over at the Chgo Museum Science & Industry may have the answer to your question.
I have alerted him to your post.

You must be very happy with her performance.

3

The Pioneer Zephyr had a bell as it was required for all passenger power as well as freight power to have a bell. Dug out my drawings of Pioneer Zephyr and the bell was located originally behind the cow catcher.

4

Thanks guys, Chuck, got your email, yep she just purrrrrrsss with the silent drive TCS decoder.

Thanks passengerfan I’ll fire up decoderpro and adjust some settings.

Ken.

5

Dave Harrison descended down into the Museum’s Great Hall and located the bell behind the headlight
in the same compartment.
He also discovered horns in the grill work on top of both sides of the grill work.

Doesn’t that blow your mind and on a Sunday.

THANKS! Dave.

6

Thankyou very much Dave!! and Chuck.

Ken.

7

Hey guys the original plan shows the bell located behind the cowcatcher. The relocation to the headlight must have come later in the Pioneer Zephyrs career. Makes more sense to locate in the headlight mount as the debris kicked up by the Zephyr must have clogged the bell frequently in its original position. One of the later Zephyrs one of the two original Twin Zephyrs had the bell mounted behind the grill above the cab. Not sure if this was original from factory or moved later.

8

Sounds like an up-grade.

9

Dave is a great guy! Met him on one of my trips to the Museum. Talked to him for awhile.

John