02/10/2022
ELKINS, WV - Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR (DGVR) has awarded a contract to Sistersville, West Virginia-based Sistersville Tank Works to build a new, welded boiler for Buffalo Creek & Gauley steam locomotive No. 4.
The family-owned, custom-vessel fabrication company, has been in operation for over 120 years. Sistersville previously built the current boiler for Cass Scenic Railroad Heisler No. 6, which has given the railroad excellent service for nearly two decades since it debuted in 2004!
“We are proud to partner with a West Virginia owned company to help us return this legendary steam locomotive to operation,” said DGVR Pres. John Smith. “The team from Sistersville will be working closely with our Cass crew and the FRA throughout the build process to ensure the best quality possible.”
Once restoration is complete, the No. 4 will operate on the restored, 15-mile, Cass to Durbin line, departing from the Cass Scenic Railroad depot.
The new boiler will cost $675,000. To date, over $135,000 has been raised for the project. For those interested in helping fund the boiler, donations can be made on our steamthe4.com website!
Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad No. 4 is a 2-8-0 steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1926 for the National Railway of Mexico, but never delivered. Originally intended to burn oil, it was converted to burn coal and eventually sold to the Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad in West Virginia.
During its life on the BC&G it was used to haul coal and passenger trains for the Dundon, WV based short line.
On February 27th, 1965, the No. 4 hauled the very last revenue train for the railroad. It was soon sold to the Quakertown and Eastern in 1972, a tourist line located in Quakertown, PA. Following a short-lived career in the Keystone State, the locomotive was purchased by Southwest Virginia Scenic Railroad of Hiltons, VA where it remained until 1978 when it was purchased by the North Carolina Transportation Museum. There, it operated until 2001, when much needed repairs forced the museum to take it out of service. The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad purchased the beloved BC&G No. 4 in the Spring of 2015.
To learn more about the BC&G No. 4, visit www.steamthe4.com
Image Credit: Larry Fellure | Collection of Tim Martin
