Sutherlin’s stolen historic train whistle was recovered in Redding after witnesses saw a police appeal and shared information with investigators. Sutherlin police coordinated with Redding police, whose officers located and recovered the whistle.
How the whistle was stolen and recovered
The Star Brass steam whistle was cut from the City of Sutherlin’s 1921 Cooke oil-fired locomotive on September 15, 2026. Local coverage identifies it as a five-chime whistle.
On October 2, reports said an investigation had led to an arrest in California, but the whistle had not been found during the search and its whereabouts remained unknown. The recovery came after witnesses in Redding saw an earlier appeal from Sutherlin police and passed information to investigators. Sutherlin police then coordinated with the Redding Police Department, whose officers located and recovered the whistle in Redding. The recovery was reported October 5, 2026. The Roseburg Receiver reported the recovery based on information from Sutherlin police; earlier reports from KQEN News Radio and The Roseburg Receiver described the theft and the search.
Why the locomotive is part of Sutherlin’s history
The locomotive stands in Central Park alongside a coal car and an original caboose. The City of Sutherlin’s account, as relayed in local reporting, describes the Cooke engine as representative of steam locomotives used during the area’s logging era to haul logs and timber products from the Cascade Mountains above Sutherlin. The whistle was therefore part of a public display tied to the region’s logging heritage, not just a loose railroad collectible.
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- The bell whistles for steam engine can make a very crisp sound through connecting to the engine, suitable for M30, M30B, M31, M31B, S10, S10B and other engine types
- The closer the bell is to the bottom, the higher the sound, and the larger the gap, the lower the sound
- Screw specification: M8X0.75
- Material: Metal
- Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 1.3 x 1.3cm
What is still unknown
The recovery report does not establish who currently holds the whistle, whether it was damaged, or whether or when it will be reinstalled on the locomotive. It also does not describe any planned preservation work. Those details have not been confirmed in the available reporting.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The bell whistles for steam engine can make a very crisp sound through connecting to the engine, suitable for M30, M30B, M31, M31B, S10, S10B and other engine types
- The closer the bell is to the bottom, the higher the sound, and the larger the gap, the lower the sound
- Screw specification: M8X0.75
- Material: Metal
- Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 1.3 x 1.3cm
Rank #4
- .This Steam Whistle is designed for the RETROL SE-01 steam engine with Boiler model.
Rank #3
- It is made of solid brass and can be used for Willesco steam models.
- The boiler is M6X0.75 TPI threaded connector, the screw joint after tightening is 1/4 X 40 TPI.
- The length of the main body is 40mm, the length of the main body of the whistle is 50mm, and the copper size is 3.5mm.
Rank #2
- Introducing Our Standard 5-Chime Steam Whistle
- Ideal for Non-Mounted Use
- Safety First: Age-Appropriate Supervision Required
- Proudly Crafted in the USA
- Durable Aluminum Construction for Longevity
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