The Dunkirk Engineering Company of Dunkirk, NY was formed in 1888 when four investors purchased the remaining assets of the Dunkirk Iron Works. The group consisted of Edward Nichols, Charles J. Carney, Charles F. White and P.C. West. Nichols served as president of the firm.
The young company acquired the patents of George D. Gilbert for his Class A and Class B geared locomotive designs. Gilbert was formerly associated with Climax in Corry, PA. The first Gilbert designed locomotive was completed in early 1890.
Competition from nearby Climax and Heisler, and the hard economic times of the 1890's took their toll on the small company. Within five years, production had ended. In all, about fifty locomotives were built.
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