As a contribution to the restoration of Maine Central 470, artist Bernie Perch has followed original Maine Central drawings to obtain dimensions, design, and machine two new bronze whistles for the locomotive. Each measures about 24" in height and weighs about 50 lbs.

The bronze began as a heavily damaged propeller off a fishing boat that was donated to NESCo. The 400-pound propeller was cut into smeltable chunks at the NESCo shop in Hancock, Maine, and these chunks passed through several volunteer hands to reach the Amish-operated Cattail Foundry in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Using Bernie Perch's patterns, the bronze was poured into rough castings, which were returned to Bernie. Bernie did the machining at his home, producing this pair of gorgeous whistles.

The only departure from the original Maine Central drawings was the casting of "Maine Central 470" in the whistle tops and "NESCO" in the whistle valves, identifying specifically which engine these belong to. Bernie supervised the testing of the chimes on a steam line from a small steam switcher in Pennsylvania. People supporting the project included Susan Deupree Jones, Richard Glueck, and several friends of NESCo that acted as drivers between Maine and Pennsylvania.

NOTE: Bernie Perch is not in the whistle business, and is not soliciting requests for contract builds.