How come 59201 has a bell on the front?

[stuartmoss]

Just wondered....

 

[Helvellyn]

If I recall it was a GM tradition when delivering locomotives to a new customer to fit a commerative bell on the front, stemming back to steam locomotives in railroad days. 59001 was similarly fitted though I believe it was removed after delivery.

I'm not sure if 59101 and 66001 received the same treatment. I've also no recollection of any other 66 customers having the commerative bell fitted on their first locomotive. (Looking forward to being proven wrong!)

 

[CCF23]

59001 was similarly fitted though I believe it was removed after delivery.

59001 still has the bell or it had it the last time i saw it at Eastleigh Works Open Day in May 2009, i too was wondering why. Maybe it's an American tradition as American loco's seem to have an association with a bell.

 

[thefab444]

I'm not sure if 59101 and 66001 received the same treatment. I've also no recollection of any other 66 customers having the commerative bell fitted on their first locomotive. (Looking forward to being proven wrong!)

They didn't.

Aside from 59001 and 59201 no other 59/66/67s have a bell.

59001 still has the bell fitted.

 

[transportphoto]

59201 has a bell - and so does 59001!

Having looked at this pic of 001

 

[Vulcan]

Its only on one end as well, which i find weird, taking the space of the centre headlight at the other end.

 

[90019]

Its only on one end as well, which i find weird, taking the space of the centre headlight at the other end.

IIRC, 59s don't have the centre headlight.

 

[ailsa]

IIRC, 59s don't have the centre headlight.

You're quite right.

 

[davido38]

On another note regarding 59 201 RAIL Express (167 April 2010) had a image of said loco, the caption mentioned...hmm...it had its BELL END leading hock: now me being me I saw this straight away and laughed my head off at what was really a innocent comment but maybe could have been worded a bit better!!

Heres me thinking managers never drove trains!!

 

[merlodlliw]

59001 still has the bell or it had it the last time i saw it at Eastleigh Works Open Day in May 2009, i too was wondering why. Maybe it's an American tradition as American loco's seem to have an association with a bell.

When the Royal Scot travelled America & Canada on a goodwill tour in 1933 a headlamp was installed to American & Canadian requirements, the engine also
acquired a bell installed at Crewe works. from The pictorial encyclopaedia of railways 1968.

 

[GearJammer]

On another note regarding 59 201 RAIL Express (167 April 2010) had a image of said loco, the caption mentioned...hmm...it had its BELL END leading now me being me I saw this straight away and laughed my head off at what was really a innocent comment but maybe could have been worded a bit better!!

How childish and imature for you to have noticed this.......... which must make me childish and imature coz i laughed my head off to when i read it, lol

 

[Vulcan]

Yeah i remembered 59s have different headlights to 66s only today. even so, I still like symetry in these things.