I am working with a committee to advise the City of Gaithersburg, MD on the cosmetic restoration of Buffalo Creek & Gauley 14. The City has received an assessment of the locomotive, including recommendations, from our colleagues at Strasburg Railroad.

At present, the locomotive does not carry a bell or whistle. The front headlamp is not original to this engine. The light has side lights for display of a locomotive number. As for the light on the tender, well - don't ask.

Does anyone have roster notes, etc. that might describe the headlight and tender light models used on this locomotive?

The committee has not yet decided about installation of a bell or whistle. The locomotive is fairly accessible and current thinking is to not add these items back for security reasons. Note: easements granted to the Maryland Historic Trust for the area surrounding the engine preclude installation of fencing or a shelter.

Thank you.

Wesley

Wesley,

The Maryland Rail Heritage Library has a near-ton of photos of 14 taken back in BC&G days by Maryland photographers. Provided I make it there on Wednesday, I'll be happy to look them up and scan them for the use of Gaithersburg.

Is your contact perchance Deniese Kayser? I'm dealing with her on a possibly related project, and we might as well make the work "two for one" and cut out the middleman. Contact me off-forum for confirmation.

Regarding the whistle, however, I can all but guarantee you that a real whistle is going to be promptly stolen, even if they feed 600 volts DC through it full-time. I would instead recommend the fabrication of a non-functional replica or stand-in--I've seen marvelous "stand-ins" that even function built from parts available at the nearby Home Depot or Lowes.

Replication of headlights, bells and whistles using inexpensive materials, while not exactly replicating original fabric, isn't beyond the capability of most restoration projects I have worked on. They may lack the weight and durability of originals, however, and be destroyed by thieves or vandals.

dave

Looks like a basic Pyle-National. Shouldn't be too hard to find one, or make a replica (in case you don't want to install a headlight that may be stolen).

JAC

I am suprised that nobody has made a small run of plastic headlights, class lights, whistles, etc for locomotives on outdoor display (both in parks and museums). It would do much to solve the security issue, make these engines look complete, and help preserve the original artifacts (where they exist).

Likewise, I think that such a product would also be a great item for museum gift shops.

Tom Cornillie

When BC&G No. 14 was stored at Quakertown, Pa., in the 1970s and early 1980's the engine was disassembled by the Wilmington & Western folks who acquired her from Paul Hersch. Brian Woodcock and Skip Small headed up the project of taking her apart and moving her to Delaware. Perhaps they might be contacted to ascertain what happened to her parts, what was removed, etc. Skip is now at the West Chester RR and Woodcock resides in Yorklyn, Del., and has limited involvement in the W&W. I remember seeing No. 14's file at the W&W/HRCV office back in the late 80s and it was full of copius documentation on the locomotive. I wonder if Gaithersburg received the folder when the engine was acquired? It would be a good thing to track down for the purposes of documenting the engine's provenance and service life, as it may have clues on modifications, repairs and so forth.

K.R. Bell