Vulcan Anthracite Mine Locomotive

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Vulcan Anthracite Mine Locomotive

This project was a team effort which could not have been done without the (2) miners at the coal mine & our dedicated team. The Vulcan 4-ton gasoline mine locomotive was used in the Southern Anthracite Field in Northeast Pa. The locomotive was used to haul the cars from the internal slope to the breaker located outside the mine. This method was outlawed latter due to to the fact that it operated on Gasoline & mine inspectors restricted its use to duties outside the mine only. The miners kept after the old girl as one of their family members. It was well oiled & kept in fairly good shape. Our team promised the miners that we would take great care of it & bring it back to life.

When our restoration team started to work on this locomotive once it came back to our shop they realized that the engine was seized. We removed the spark plugs a put our digital bore scope to use. The inspection determined that we needed to remove the head to clean the cylinders before breaking the engine free. We broke the engine free & reassembled the top side of the engine shortly after. Next step change the gas, rebuild the carburator, mag, & starter & then hope it will start. We installed the battery & made a few adjustments & it is in operating condition. With several test runs we decided to remove the axles to change the gauge from 44" to 36". We will also at that time rebuild the side rods & pins on the wheels.

This locomotive restoration is scheduled to be completed early summer 2009.

Locomotive specifications

Mfg: Vulcan Iron Works
Weight: 4 tons
Year Built: 7/ 1930
Engine: Hercules model OX gas engine
Gauge: 36"ga latter changed to 44"ga (Note in the process going back to 36"ga)