ERIE STEAM SHOVEL MODEL B-2

Dean E. Redd
November/December 1989
Eric Steam Shovel
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Dorothy Yagodich
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RD 2, Box 399 Charleroi, Pennsylvania 15022

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This Model B-2 Eric Steam Shovel can be seen on the grounds of the National Pike Steam, Horse and Gas Engine Show near Brownsville, PA. See Dean Redds story in this issue. Photo by Dorothy Yagodich.

The day started out as a cold chilly November 26,1984 as we proceeded with our arrangements to go to Grampion, Pennsylvania, 125 miles, to Clearfield County.

The location of the precious Erie Steam Shovel Model B-2.

We found this jewel about two years prior and finally talked the owner into parting with it. The Erie had not been operated for about 38 years and was in an old strip mine operation, about one quarter mile off the main road, on top of a mountain. Trees had almost engulfed the Model B-2 and it had sunk into the earth up to the axles.

It involved two long days of cutting brush, trees, etc. to get back to it, as well as filling in many large water holes for passage with the lowboy.

Things weren't going too well as we spent an entire day with an air compressor to get the engine freed up so we could move it. Finally we were able to get about one fourth of its power for moving. Digging, pulling with a 955 High lift, cutting of tree roots and colder weather coming up by mid-afternoon. After all this with no luck as to this stubborn refusal to move onto the lowboy, we rigged up a four-part line and finally it just slid onto the lowboy. Frantically our crew anchored the Erie, tied the entire framework securely with ropes so it would hold solid in transit, and we proceeded homeward. It started to snow heavily, the roads were quickly covered with about three inches and many icy spots, and of course trucks were directed to go the route of many hills to climb. Cars as well as trucks were all over the highway. We had traveled only about 25 miles and crawling when we made the decision to park the rig. Police communications stated salt trucks would be out in about an hour. We waited three hours and no salt trucks. We piled into our escort vehicles and headed home.

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