Mystery Vulcan locomotive

Andy Inserra · **Joined:** Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:03 pm **Posts:** 9

When I was at the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton last week they had a little Vulcan unit parked out front with no markings or signage... Does anyone here know anything more about the unit?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159766

Also out front but not a mystery is was this Septa car...
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159783

Thanks!

wesp · **Posted:** Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:27 pm

I think this little gem came to Scranton via Ed Blossom's collection. I recall it sat outside the shop at Topton. Maybe Joel can confirm this?

Wesley

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

I believe this was a shop switcher at Vulcan.

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

This little Vulcan was one of two gas-mechanical locomotives at the former Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, where it was reportedly used as a shop switcher. The locomotive was purchased by Ed Blossom's Dushore Car Co. in 1973 or 1974. It had been almost completely submerged during the 1972 Agnes flood, and the engine required complete overhauling to get it running again. It had somewhere along the line lost its original Climax engine and now carries a 6-cylinder Hercules. We used it at Dushore to move equipment around on the former LV tracks around the shop and up to the former LV depot.

After Dushore Car Co. moved to Topton, Pa. and became East Penn Car Co., the little Vulcan came down there, but as far as I can recall, it never was used there. After Ed donated the collection to Scranton, the little lokie went up there as well.

I understand there were a number of these little critters built by Vulcan, but I've never seen another standard gauge version. There are several three-foot and two-foot gauge survivors, however.

Metman499 · **Joined:** Mon May 09, 2005 8:16 pm **Posts:** 80

I believe Ed co-owned it with Dr. Harold Cox. I recently spoke with him about the locomotive and he and Blossom were partners in the Dushore operation. Otherwise everything above checks out with what he told me two weeks ago.

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

That is correct. Dr. Cox was a silent partner during the Dushore Car Co. era. I worked for Ed at Bloomsburg, Dushore and Topton at various times from 1965-1980, and we were good friends. I operated the little Vulcan on many occasions at Dushore.

nickbnwd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:14 pm

Two of three know 2-foot gage cousins of this unit are in survice in PA, with a third under restoration. You can see the resemblence:

Original location: http://home.alltel.net/gbauer/1973_1.jpg

After rebuild with complete cab: http://home.alltel.net/gbauer/1985_4.jpg

Homepage: http://www.bnwrr.com/

Andy Inserra · **Joined:** Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:03 pm **Posts:** 9

Thanks for the help everyone! That certainly clears up a lot of questions. One question left - is the 6 ton designation correct? Just want to make sure it is labeled correctly...

Here are a few photos of the locomotives across the street [well, more like across the parking lot] at Steamtown...

IC 790 greets the visitors
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159684

Reading 2124 along the driveway
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159687

GTW 6039 also on the drive to the museum
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=160668

Tiny Bulard #2 with their Big Boy
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159683

CN 47 sits in the yard
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159975

And a view of the yard...
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159693

Thanks once again for all the help!