Dwight Durkee
Dwight Durkee was the BLS Secretary( Western Region) after Harry Dixon passed away, from 1977 thru 1993 when Dick Thomas assumed the job.
The Durkee Shop of Dwight Durkee Jr., Cupertino, California. 4-4-0, 1-1/2 inch scale, 7-1/2 inch gauge, cylinders 2x3 inches, drivers 7-5/8 inches. This old-timer has a genuine kerosene oil headlamp. From "The North American Live Steamer", January 1956.
Firing 4-4-0 "Virginian" Locomotive at Cupertino Live Steam Track circa 1965. With Bay Area live steamers Dwight Durkee, Henry Steimle, Builder-Bill Smith, Louie Lawrence and Bill Bay. Photo by Harry Dixon.
DeWitt Clinton 7-1/2 Gauge Locomotive circa 1960 built by Marion and Dwight Durkee of Cupertino California.
DeWitt Clinton 7-1/2" Gauge circa 1960 by Marion and Dwight Durkee.
Dwight Durkee and the DeWitt Clinton on the North Loop, Redwood Canyon in 1963.
"Grant" Locomotive
BLS Report
The Miniature Locomotive, July-August 1954
Dwight Durkee Jr. of Cupertino, California, has an excellent start on the Grant, an early American type of locomotive that was popular around 1873.
This is his first attempt at building an engine and, as you can see from the picture, he is doing alright, especially when you start from scratch with only a picture to follow. Patterns and castings were made for the drivers, front wheels and the cylinders, which are 2 inch bore and 3 inch stroke and use "D" valves. The drive wheels are 7-5/8 inch diameter and are sprung with working leaf springs. The side rods have the conventional brasses and working wedges, while the frame and pilt were made up from bar stock and brazed together. H states that he has some 740 hours of work in the engine so far, but also has the boiler and tender underway.
He is a tyro who praises the helpful instructions that Charles Arnold has to offer in his book on boiler making. Dwight has started this engine in 7-1/2 inch gauge and proposes to put down a 500 foot line at his home, where there is plenty of room for expansion and his round house begines to fill up with more locos as his future plans progress.
Where is it?
Dwight's son writes:
- My mother's understanding is that this and all of my dad's equipment went to Germany. Does anyone have any further information? Please send information to Daris Nevil.