Public information from witnesses in Redding, California, helped police recover a historic steam locomotive whistle stolen from a display in Sutherlin, Oregon. Sutherlin Police coordinated with Redding Police, whose officers located the whistle, according to KQEN’s October 6, 2026, report.
How the whistle was recovered
After Sutherlin Police appealed for information about the missing whistle, witnesses in Redding came forward with information. Sutherlin Police shared it with Redding Police, and officers there located and recovered the artifact, KQEN reported, attributing the account to Sutherlin Police Captain Dennis Chrisenbery. The report does not identify the precise date of recovery.
What was stolen
The whistle was cut from a 1921 Cooke oil-fired steam locomotive on display in Central Park in Sutherlin on September 15, 2026, according to KQEN’s October 6 report. An earlier Sutherlin Police appeal, republished by A News Cafe on October 1, identified it as a Star Brass five-chime steam whistle.
The locomotive’s place in Sutherlin history
The police appeal described the locomotive as an example of equipment used to haul timber from the Cascade Mountains above Sutherlin. The city’s display includes the locomotive, a coal car and its original caboose, according to the appeal. The engine and whistle are part of the community’s logging and railroad heritage.
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What is known about the display now
The recovery report confirms that officers in Redding recovered the whistle, but does not say whether it has since been returned to Sutherlin or reinstalled on the locomotive. It also does not describe the whistle’s condition or give a later disposition of the case. An earlier search in Redding had not located it; that status was overtaken by the October 6 recovery report.
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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
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