Before moving on to talking about the Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad's acquisition of three Vulcan locomotives in 1973, I think it is important to conclude Otto's restoration story with some final background information. Otto is a steam locomotive with a 0-4-0 wheel arrangement which means that the engine does not have any leading wheels, has four driving wheels and no trailing wheels. Otto was built by Henschel of Kassel, Germany in 1939. During the overseas journey here, the crew on the American Merchant decided that the locomotive deserved a proper Bavarian name and chalked "Otto" on the cab and the name has stuck every since. Otto weighs about 10 tons dry or 12 tons with coal and water added, and takes about three hours to build up enough steam to go to work, so the engine is only run a few days each year. Because Otto was the Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad's first locomotive, the engine obviously received the number one. The number two slot was then reserved for another potential steam locomotive which explains why the B&W numbered the Vulcan number three.
When a glue factory in Gowanda NY closed down in 1973, The Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad actually received three Vulcan locomotives from the company. After keeping the first one, the second one went to friends across town, and the third went to a friend in Pittsburgh. The Vulcan at the Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad quickly received the nickname of Norman for its sometimes cranky behavior.
The year 1973 quickly came to a close after October 7th which marked the B&W's second annual open house.
The Vulcan in Gowanda, NY
Picture provided William Bauer
Norman in 2012
Picture taken by Ryan Brennen
The year 1973 quickly came to a close after October 7th which marked the B&W's second annual open house.
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