With the usual train traffic sounding in the background, a familiar steam whistle pierced the cold air Sunday from the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds where hundreds from near and far gathered to celebrate and learn about the railway history in Dunkirk.

Sunday’s date marked the 165th anniversary of the arrival of the first train in Dunkirk, as well as the year that Dunkirk’s American Locomotive’s Brooks Works built steam locomotive 444. Saturday was observed as National Train Day, and both events culminated in a Chautauqua County Railroad History Weekend, with Sunday’s event in Dunkirk capping things off.

Visitors of all ages, some traveling from Cleveland, Buffalo, Erie and nearby, got a hands-on experience and look into the history of railroad technology in the development of Dunkirk. On display at the fairgrounds Sunday were the expertly-restored 444, a switching engine used in freight service as part of the Boston and Maine Railroad; New York Central caboose 19224, constructed in 1905 in Oswego; Delaware and Hudson Railroad’s Boxcar 22722, constructed in 1907 and part of major freight service throughout North America; and the sharply dressed Viscose 6 steam locomotive.

Roger Schulenberg, a Dunkirk native who spent lots of time as a child, observing and learning about the rail system through Dunkirk, has just one of the pairs of hands that made Saturday’s and Sunday’s events possible. He and fellow volunteers Roy Davis and Ray Haines have devoted their efforts to the establishment of these pieces into the permanent railroad history of Dunkirk since 1986.

“Roy and I grew up near railroad tracks. My grandmother lived on Lucas Avenue and her back yard was the railroad tracks. I used to watch steam engines all of the time, Roy had the same experience as a child with his family who resided on Lake Shore Drive, and Ray, who is from Cassadaga, his grandfather was an engineer.”

That interest that was sparked in all three of them as wide-eyed children has culminated in their efforts to not only dedicate hours of manual labor getting the pieces into pristine condition, but in the commitment to the fundraising that it has taken to restore the relics.

They began with facilitating the donation of the 444 to the Dunkirk Historical Society from Fletcher Granite Company President Paul Keany, and then raised the needed funds and helped move it from West Chelmsford, Massachusetts all the way to Dunkirk. Its first stop was the former Niagara Mohawk Power Plant in 1987, at which time it had to be resurrected from a wooded area, loaded onto a flatbed and hauled to Dunkirk aboard a railcar. In April of that same year, it would move from Niagara Mohawk to the fairgrounds so that it could be seen by the public. At the time of the engine’s construction, ALCO Brooks Works was one of the major suppliers of steam locomotives in the world. The 444 was later sold to the Fletcher Granite Company to haul granite and was officially replaced and taken out of service in 1953 by a diesel switcher. It had remained abandoned alongside a set of tracks until it came to Dunkirk in 1987.

“Part of this event is remembering the railroad history in Dunkirk and our surrounding areas. Dunkirk was a fishing village until 1851 when the first train arrived. In 1878, Brooks took over the Erie Railroad rail shops that had already been established, and that’s what really started the industrial heritage of Dunkirk. These are a visual reminder of the industrial heritage of the railroad system in Dunkirk, which has an intrinsic appeal dating back 100 years, when the 444 was constructed,” stated Schulenberg.

The cold winds sweeping across the fairgrounds were no deterrent to the hundreds of visitors ushered onto the display Sunday. Not even a small band of wet snow could interrupt the intrinsic appeal of the display pieces as toddlers climbed aboard to ring the bell of the 444, or the enthusiasts who stood in admiration of the Viscose 6’s working steam engine while reminiscing about family members who were employed in rail service in Dunkirk. Schulenberg and his fellow volunteers hope that some of the wide-eyed and curious youth at Sunday’s event will one day be impressed enough to translate their love of trains into keeping the history alive for generations.

“On May 15, 1851, the arrival of Erie Railroad’s first train, there was a big public party at the docks in Dunkirk. Railroad was the big high tech business of the day. And really, what we’re looking for today, is sharing the love of railroad history with the general public in hopes that it will be kept alive. It’s rewarding to see so many people interested in these pieces of history,” added Schulenberg.

From inside of the Boxcar, many stood in line to view replica train set ups and read the visual history of how rail service helped Dunkirk blossom in industry. Also on display was the Dunkirk Historical Society’s Buy a Tie recognition piece, another way for lovers of the railroad industry and community residents can keep history efforts charging full steam ahead into the future. Monetary donations are accepted in any amount, and donations of $100 or more will entitle donors to a name plaque on the Buy a Tie railroad tie on display in the Boxcar. Schulenberg added that the next project needing accomplished will be to repaint and weatherproof the Boxcar.

The group also welcomes volunteers who have areas of expertise including mechanical, woodworking and painting skills to climb aboard and help carry out the restoration of these prize pieces of history. Anyone wishing to be the next pair of hands that can help keep the history efforts on track, or would like to know more about group or classroom tours, the Buy a Tie campaign or other events taking place this year may contact 366-3797 for more information.

In addition to the accessible displays, visitors took advantage of a Weidner’s Chicken Barbecue held in Floral Hall as well as a toy train show and sale, operational displays and historical displays.