New Bell Rings in New Year at Depot

A brand new year was “rung in” at the La Grange Depot Museum by a brand new bell. No, make that a very old bell in a brand new location. The brass engine bell from M-K-T steam locomotive 368 is now mounted for display (and ringing) at the popular downtown tourist attraction. Museum president Gary Lincke obtained the bell, which originally was on a steam engine that actually pulled trains through La Grange in pre-diesel days. Gary and Gale Lincke, along with Andrew Baker, were the first to ring the newly mounted bell on Saturday morning. The clapper will be well secured, though, to prevent “unauthorized clanging.” The depot museum is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Photo by Larry Jackson