ALCO - Brooks Railroad Display
The focal point of the ALCO - Brooks Display in Dunkirk, NY is the Brooks built 0-6-0 locomotive. It was originally built in 1916 for the Boston and Maine Railroad. In 1952, it was sold to the Fletcher Granite Company of W. Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
In 1953 # 444 was replaced by a diesel, and parked on a siding. The locomotive sat idle until 1986. That year, # 444 was donated to the Historical Society of Dunkirk by the Fletcher Granite Company.
The locomotive was prepared for the trip to Dunkirk by Steam Locomotive Services. It arrived in Dunkirk on February 20, 1987. On April 2, 1987 # 444 was moved to the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. The cost of the move was over $22,000. Cosmetic restoration continues, with the help of donations.
The display is also home to two pieces of cosmetically restored rolling stock, a Delaware & Hudson wood sided box car, and a wooden New York Central caboose.
The Delaware & Hudson wood-sided box car # 22020 was constructed in August, 1907. It was used in general freight service until it was sold to Allegheny Ludlum Steel Co. in 1961. It was used for storage until it was donated to the Historical Society of Dunkirk by AL Tech Specialty Steel Corp. in 1981. It was moved to the Roblin Steel Co. yard where it was restored. The car was moved to the Fairgrounds in 1987.
New York Central caboose # 19224 was built in Oswego, NY in October, 1905. It was operated on the New York Central System until its retirement in May, 1964. It was saved from being scrapped by the owner of Wahl Rigging of Cleveland, Ohio. In November of 1983, the caboose was purchased by three local individuals. It was moved to Dunkirk in January of 1984. It was restored by Society members at Roblin Steel. In 1987 it was moved to the Fairgrounds in April, 1987.
The display is conveniently located at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk, NY. The Fairgrounds are situated on Central Avenue, just north of the New York State Thruway.