Published: October 08, 2009 12:00 am      

Locomotive to get new home

By JIM AUSTIN
Cooperstown Crier

The old Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad steam locomotive left the Delaware Otsego Corporation parking lot Friday headed for a new home.

The engine is an ALCO — American Locomotive Company — with an 0-6-0 wheel configuration, according to Denny Fisher, of Bill Miller Equipment Sales, who was in charge of the move. It was built for the U.S. Army in 1942 and was one of the 100s built for use in Europe during World War II.

``I’m not sure if the unit ever made it overseas. It did, however, work at Fort Eustis, Va.,’’ Fisher said in an email message.

The engine tipped the scales at 140,000 pounds — 70 tons. Its tender was a mere 22 tons.

The truck hauling the engine did not get more than a block from the parking lot before there were problems with the trailer it was riding on. Miller, who has hauled much larger equipment, said the difficulty was with the trailer because the correct shims were not put in place, causing the trailer to drag on the pavement. He said they tried for hours to add shims to raise the trailer off the street surface, but were unsuccessful. Instead they raised the front and drove off. If the trailer is shimmed correctly, he said, there would have been no problem.

``These trailers only run a few inches off the ground, so there is very little room for error,’’ he said.

``My stay in Cooperstown was short, but I will be back to visit someday. Please express our sincere thanks to the mayor, and police officers for there assistance. I would like to thank the guys in the lumber store for cutting the wood for us, and the two local truck drivers who helped my driver get his trailer ready,’’ Fisher said.

The locomotive is now sitting at a truck stop along I-81 in Pennsylvania, while Fisher waits for the required permits from the state.

Fisher said he expects to be underway again sometime next week.

The engine now belongs to Bill Miller, of Eckhart Mines, Md. Miller is a Caterpillar dealer who buys, sells and leases heavy equipment world-wide. According to Fisher, Miller plans to restore the locomotive to operating condition.

``The locomotive has came to a good home, restoration plans are already being discussed,’’ Fisher said.

``We have a second steam locomotive on the property, a former US Army 611.’’