It won’t be exactly the same, but the bell for the locomotive at the Western Development Museum has been replaced.

The WDM have found a replacement to ensure the train is able to ring its bell come summer. Museum Manager Kathy Fitton says they found a replacement online, and while its not the same as the one that was stolen, this one should remain a permanent fixture

“They needed to make sure that this time, that bell was going nowhere,” said Fitton. “It needed to have a really facelift and a mount was actually built for it, and it was welded on to the Vulcan. It’s going to stay put.”

Fitton says having a bell on their K+S Potash Canada Shortline 101 isnt just for fun, and that its actually a very important safety feature so employees know when the train is approaching the station.

Fitton thanked people for looking for the bell and was pleased with the public’s interest in the bell.

“We had to adapt for the last couple of runs last year where we didn’t have a bell, but it was very important that we get that replaced as soon as possible,” said Fitton.

Weather and mechanical issues permitting, the long weekend in May will be the first time the bell will be in use.