A Port Alberni museum has taken so social media in hopes the public can help locate a stolen historic train bell.
The brass bell, which belongs to the City of Port Alberni, is the original bell on the Alberni Pacific Railways’ Two-Spot Steam Locomotive.
The collection item was restored by Industrial Heritage Society members as their first project when the society was formed.
According to the organization, the bell was welded in place, however the bar (the yoke) was cut by thieves.
The area where the bell was stolen from was well secured after a bell was stolen from another train a few years ago, however, volunteers found a hole in the fence where the thieves snuck in through.
The society is asking the perpetrator(s) to return the bell with no questions asked.
Two Spot is a 1912 locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima Ohio. Alberni Pacific No.2 was built in 1912 for the Weist Logging Company and operated as No. 1 in Port Alberni. Between 1936 and 1952 it operated as Alberni Pacific Lumber Co.Ltd #2, in the Ash River Valley.
It operated in and around A.P.L. lands for over 45 years. In early 1952 after it had been retired, work had begun to demolish it. Due to the intervention of a number of old-timers in the Alberni Valley, a decision was made to save the loci as a memorial to its long history of steam railway logging.
While its currently not operational, the train is put out on display during special occasions.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424.
