A Bombardier subsidiary, Auburn Technology, Inc. has scheduled their Auburn, NY plant for closing sometime this year.

Bombardier acquired the plant when they purchased the Alco 251 engine business from GEC Diesels (UK) in the early 1980's. In turn, GEC had purchased the factory from the bankrupt White Motor Company.

When Alco Products (US) left the new locomotive business in 1970 under the ownership of S-W, the locomotive designs were conveyed to S-W owned MLW Industries, with White purchasing the Alco Engines Business (Auburn Plant) and Alco Products Service, Inc.

Under Bombardier ownership, production of the 251 engine was rationalized to the former MLW plant in Montreal-and the Auburn plant became a source of large fabrications for application in railcars based upon 'Buy America' requirements. One of the signature products of the plant were welded truck frames used on a variety of MTA and NYCTA equipment. I believe that NYS purchased a large heat treating furnace for post-welding stress relief-which was installed within the plant.

The origins of the plant date back to an early diesel engine builder named
Macintosh and Seymour.

Dave