Walter H Gahagan 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" Locomotives in the USA

Class 1 (Locobase 13334)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 32, p. 51 and 311. Works numbers were 33013-33014 in October 1908 and 33255-33256 in March 1909.

Gahagan was a large construction company that worked on civil-engineering projects across the country. Baldwin supplied two wheel arrangements to the company: this quartet of small Ten-wheelers and six 0-4-0 switchers. These were designed to accept 50" (1,270 mm) drivers "later, if desired". Planned rail weight was 56 lb/yard (28 kg/metre).

Supplemental information in the Baldwin spec for the latter two engines highlights the anticipated operating conditions for this class: "Owing to the rough service and rough tracks, the Wisconsin Central water gauge is unsatisfactory. It has been found impossible to keep glasses in the gauges. Use Jerguson gauges and fasten them substantially."

Another refers to apparent shortcomings in the quality of parts in the first two locomotives: "The blow off cocks on the present engines leak badly between cock and cock body." Why? The Gahagan rep suggested: "They look as though made of poorest cast iron, but as the engines were under steam I was unable to investigate." Not good. The solution: "The cocks should be made of brass, and located one in left side of fire box and one under waist back."

Still another offers a graphic reason for a recommended change. The reverse lever needed to be relocated 2" back of its present position and a grating or slats "across the inside of back windo of cab on right back panel so that when engines are hard to reverse, the engineer will not put his shoulder through the back window." (An additional benefit was the likely reduction in unseemly profanity heard in the cab.)

All of the 4-6-0s were sold to other industrial or logging operators after a period in Gahagan service. The 1 went to the Isle d'Anticosti in Quebec's Gulf of St Lawrence and was used in logging operations. 2's first stop was locomotive rebuilder/reseller Birmingham Rail & Locomotive. BR & L sold the engine to Gulledge Lumber Company of Haines City, Fla, passed quickly to International Paper, and wound up with Polk City Lumber in 1927. 3 was sold to Warner Sugar Refining Company in Waukegan, Ill. 4 went to Wickwire Steel of Buffalo, NY by 1917.