Any suggestions on where to get "#9 bell rope" as was specified for the USATC Consolidations or a suitable substitute? I got a length of 3/8" cotton rope from Amazon, but it's twisted and meant for crafting. I' guessing the proper rope is probably woven.

I have used 3/8" or 1/2" cotton clothesline available at the local hardware store. It's woven but will eventually stretch, degrade or wear down where it passes through eyelets, it is cheap enough to be expendable, maybe $20 for a 50ft length.

Just don't use wire rope, I have seen one museum use that so people can ring the bell on a static locomotive, and it's repeatedly sawn through the eyelets and several inches of the cab wall... you'd think they'd change out the wire rope for something else already....

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Thanks for the suggestions. In following them up it appears that "sash cord" is a commonly used descriptor.

I was also going to suggest sash cord. I’ve actually used it for sashes. It’s woven and flexible. I think a polyester or nylon core may get you a little less stretch than all cotton. Doing a quick lookup, I don’t find what diameter #9 would be but #8 is 1/4” and #10 is 5/16”. The previously mentioned 3/8” is #12 and 1/2” is #16.

Eric, interesting. In a size table I found the number is the size in mm. So #9 is .354" or approximately 3/8". I looked again this morning and found a another table with the dimensions that you found.

Looks like the number is the diameter in 32nds of an inch. #9 would then equal 9/32 inch.

I would research nautical cordage for a number of reasons: (1) the plethora of historical restorations are driving demand for "old-looking" synthetics (2) these synthetics come in all kinds of durable outward styles, in imitation of historic braids.

New England Ropes would be a place to start, as would American Rope and Tar.

The key was knowing what to ask for. We found what we needed. Thanks for all the replies.