Founder Thomas Dickson | ||
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Dickson Manufacturing Company was an American manufacturer of boilers, blowing engines and steam engines used in various industries but most known in railway steam locomotives. The company also designed and constructed steam powered mine cable hoists. It was founded in Scranton, Pennsylvania by Thomas Dickson in 1856.
The company maintained its main offices and shops on Penn Avenue in Scranton, a locomotive shop at the "Cliff Works" in Scranton, a shop in Wilkes-Barre, and an office in New York City.
In 1901 the company's locomotive division was merged with seven other manufacturing firms to form American Locomotive Company (ALCO); the rest of the company became part of Allis-Chalmers. ALCO ceased locomotive production at the former Dickson works in 1909.
The former shops still stand, and are featured in the opening sequence of the television show "The Office," which is set in Scranton.
Preserved Dickson locomotives
The following locomotives (in serial number order) built by Dickson have been preserved. All locations are in the United States unless stated otherwise.
This surviving locomotive, named "Stephanie", was restored to operating condition, in 1979 under a lease deal, by Winson George, of Brookhaven, MS. He operated the locomotive in his backyard until his death in October 1993, at which time the locomotive was returned to its owners.
One notable change to the locomotive was the larger water tank on the extended frame.
The restored locomotive Serial # 30196 is displayed at the "Monumento al minero en Las Juntas de Abangare" (Parque Central), Juntas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.